When I first encountered MS Publisher in the early days of creating communications with the computer, I would have never imaged I’d be recommending it as the program of choice for churches—and not only so you can create complex print layouts, but also graphics for print and the web.
At that time, if you wanted to create professional-looking publications, you chose Aldus Pagemaker. Pagemaker gave you layout options and type-setting control, necessary for credible communications for churches, while Publisher’s main claim to fame was the ability to quickly create a moderately tacky-looking postcard quickly.
Times change and so do computer programs
Pagemaker was sold to the Adobe Corporation and while still capable of producing professional and complex communications, the core program disappeared into InDesign, required a lengthy and complex learning curve, and became prohibitively expensive for most churches.
In contrast, MS Publisher got better and better every year with increasing design options, an expanding and incredible choice of templates for all sorts of publications, and the ability to do just about anything required in a church office.
It stayed at a great price was and is relatively easy to learn because many of the commands were the same as those with MS Word or PowerPoint, two compatible programs widely used in churches. In addition, I found the more I worked with it, I realized it was an honestly fun program to use with flexibility to create not only print publications, but graphics and web designs easily.
In interactions with other church communicators, I’ve found that though many use MS Publisher (more than any other program as my surveys show), at the same time some still primarily use MS Word because they don’t realize how much more Publisher can do and some don’t use Publisher because they think it isn’t “professional” enough. I hope this brief publication will change both views. In addition for anyone who does communications in your church or oversees those who do, I urge you to consider MS Publisher, especially if you haven’t looked at it in some time.
Below are the nine reasons why MS Publisher is a great program for churches to use.
I created an ebook that illustrates and expands each reason. The ebook is a free download for Effective Church Communication members and is available for immediate download and purchase for others. Links for both the free download and the purchase are at the end of this article.
For information on how to become a member and have access to the many free ebooks, training webinars and other materials available to you, CLICK HERE.
Here are the 9 Reasons:
Reason #1
MS Publisher can create quality designs equal to those created by the Adobe Creative Suite programs.
Reason #2
Templates are more flexible and easier to use in MS Publisher than in MS Word.
Reason #3
MS Publisher can greatly improve the look of a previously text-based publication.
Reason #4
MS Publisher can create an identity and a consistent communication look for a ministry within the church.
Reason #5
MS Publisher can be used to create your own PR for a church campaign.
Reason #6
MS Publisher can work as a high-end graphics program to create website graphics and resizable graphics.
Reason #7
You can buy MS Publisher for a fraction of retail cost for your church.
Reason #8
Training in how to use MS Publisher is easy and affordable.
Reason #9
All of the editable Templates available through Effective Church Communications are in MS Publisher.
***UPDATE NOTE: a few things in the book are currently outdated (e.g., check for current pricing buying the software and I now prefer CANVA.com for website graphics), but the rest of it still applies.
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Thank you again Yvon – you are a God Send. Unfortunately, I’m a tried and true Word Perfect user and do not have the time to learn the ins and outs of MS Word. I have used both Word and Publisher a few times and do find Publisher a great program. Now I just need the time to familiarize myself with it. One of these days!!! Perhaps your booklet will help me get started.
Have a great day!
Linda
I totally understand about WordPerfect–I used it myself for many years and loved it.
As to the time to learn….I am almost finished with another ebook (working really hard on these right now) that has some strong recommendations to the leaders of churches on how they MUST provide staff with training time. It is incredibly difficult if this is not provided.
Stay tuned and perhaps this will help.
Many blessings,
Yvon
I’d love to learn how to use Publisher. I am frustrated when I have to insert a publisher document into either the weekly bulletin or monthly newsletter, which is a word document. Any suggestions where I could get training? I’m not interested do it yourself with a DVD or similar. I’m looking for a class setting with hands-on training and instruction. Thanks for your assistance.
I would really encourage you to check out http://www.lynda.com</a> That is what I have used and found to work really well. If you go to the link they have some free classes you can take to try it out.
For local classes, check your local community college, some of the church communicators I know have really liked that.
On inserting a Publisher document into MS Word, the best way to do that (depending of course on what kind it is) is to make it into a graphic. There is a webinar for ECC Members at this link that shows you how to do that:
https://www.effectivechurchcom.com/2010/03/video-and-pdf-tutorial-how-to-create-resizable-graphics-with-ms-publisher/
It can be very frustrating working with Word–that’s why I like Publisher for so much of what I do.
Let me know if any of that helps.
Yvon
UPDATE:
Regarding “Reason 7” in the book: “You can purchase MS Publisher for a fraction of retail cost for your church.”
The book mentions that you can get MS Office for $80.00 through Microsoft’s Charity Program. Microsoft names the Charity Program the “Open License for Charities program” and it is run through Microsoft subsidiaries and some software resellers. It requires the purchase of five licenses in order to start participating in the program for two years. The licenses do not need to be for the same software, so one can purchase 4 “filler” licenses of another program for about $2-$4 each, and purchase a MS Office volume license to make up the fifth license. Once the charity has entered the Open License for Charities program through the purchase of 5 licenses, they can purchases additional licenses one at a time during the next two years. The Open License program allows the purchase of software for two years. Once the two years is over, an organization may purchase 5 more licenses to start another two year Open License program. But please note: when purchasing software under the Open License program, you are receiving a “permanent license” to use that software indefinitely unless the software is subscription-based. The software purchased is not restricted to use for just two years.
However, since Yvon’s book was published, churches can qualify for another program. Microsoft will donate software to a charity (including churches) for an “administration fee”. This program is run through the TechSoup organization. Unlike the Open License for Charities program, charities can request one license at a time. Currently, US Non-Profit and Canadian Registered Charities can receive Microsoft Office Standard volume license (permanent license not subscription) for an administration fee of US$29.00 (CAD$40.00). The “Standard” volume license includes: Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint & Outlook. MS Office Professional Plus volume license is also available for an administration fee of US$40.00 (CAD$56.00). The “Professional Plus” volume license includes all the programs in “Standard” plus adds the “Access” database program and, in Office 2016, “Skype for business”. (Tip: You have the option of installing one of the three most recent versions of Office – currently Office 2010, 2013 or 2016 – when you receive a license.)
Since the TechSoup Microsoft donation program was introduced, a number of software resellers that used to offer the Open License for Charities program no longer do so. (The software reseller I dealt with in Canada, no longer offers Microsoft’s Open License program since TechSoup was introduced. In fact, they no longer offer any software from other companies that also offer their software through TechSoup. I liked dealing with this reseller as he published a price list of all licenses available under the “Open License for Charities program” and I could choose inexpensive “filler” licenses to make up the initial order of five licenses to start a two year term.)
Under the TechSoup donation program, an organization receiving a Microsoft software donation has to consent to an anti-discrimination policy confirming that the organization does not discriminate on basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, etc. “other than as allowed by law.” The “other than as allowed by law” clause allows most churches to receive donations. A few years ago Microsoft’s policy was further amended for clarification (at least in Canada) with the statement: “My organization is a religious organization, and any discriminatory practices of my organization are exempt from laws that otherwise prohibit such discrimination.” This confirms that most churches are eligible for TechSoup Microsoft Software Donations.
For more info about TechSoup go to:
USA: http://www.techsoup.org
Canada: http://www.techsoupcanada.ca
NOTES & TIPS:
Techsoup has software from many different companies . . . not just Microsoft.
Techsoup is available in over 150 countries. You can select a country from a pull down menu at the top of each webpage at http://www.techsoup.org . Each country has its own eligibility requirements for each company offering software through TechSoup.
Allow several weeks to get started in the TechSoup program. You must first get registered. And when you place your first request for a donation from Microsoft, Microsoft needs some time to verify and confirm your organization’s eligibility. Then, the same as the Open License for Charities program, you will need to learn how to use the Volume Licensing Center through which you download software (tip: the MAK license keys (not the KMS license keys) are what most small organizations will use). The software then needs to be burned onto media (such as a DVD) to make an “install disk”. (another tip: a single install disk can be used to install the same software on as many computers as you have received donated licenses for).
Final tip: all Microsoft software obtained through the Open License for Charities program or through TechSoup can only be on the charity’s computers or on the computers of third-party contract workers or charity volunteers as long as they are doing work for the charity. The charity is responsible to make sure the software is removed from each computer that is no longer in the charity’s possession or being used to do work for the charity. With MAK license keys, you can request Microsoft to deactivate a license from one computer in order to transfer software to a new computer. (KMS license keys are for large organizations that can assign an IT person to control activations.) Licenses can not be transferred to other organizations or individuals outside of the organization that received the donation.
(Oh dear . . . I think I wrote more than Yvon covers in a chapter! The above is an awful lot of information but should be helpful to explain the two programs: “Open LIcense for Charities” and “TechSoup donations”. Also with either program one needs to know about the Volume License Center. In the old days, one simply received a volume license install disk in the mail . . . now you make an install disk after downloading the software.)
Thanks so much as always Ewald for the update–I needed to get this out to people in response to something else I wrote and didn’t make it clear that this didn’t have the most current purchasing info.
BUT THANK YOU!!! You continue to be such a fantastic resource.