At this time of year we are flooded with all kinds of trend analysis articles, what's hot, what's not, what is the latest in social media and gadgets, what's is essential if we want to appear relevant and cutting edge.
After reading a number of these articles and blogs and debating about what to pass on to you, instead of feeling informed and helpful, I've found myself feeling tired and frustrated. I feel like this because even though I'm sure that iPads are incredible devices and Kindles are great ways to read, and that Google Circles are one of the next hot social networking sites, reality is that many churches still can't keep their website updated or afford necessary computer upgrades. I'm behind on the website I do for our Adult Sunday School class (I'm telling myself, later today, for sure after I finish my ECC newsletter I'll get it updated. . . . ). My computer is so old some of the features in Word 2010 don't work on it. I can't afford a Kindle, even though I'm publishing books in that format (CLICK here for my first venture.) I would imagine my technology situation is similar to many in this time of still challenging budgets for communication resource upgrades in most churches.
This week the Consumer Electronics Show will release even more tools and trends and after reading the reports on all that's new from that, I doubt if there is much that will be of practical use for churches. Though it's fun to read about all the new gadgets--I've realized that sometimes reading and dreaming about what's new and exciting keeps me from working on what might be old and boring to work on, but essential to carry out my responsibilities in church communications.
Set your own trends based on eternal truth
The more I've thought about this I realized that all the trends are, in reality, simply changing tools for us to use as we share the eternal messages of salvation in Jesus. I was helped to this conclusion by an insightful article by Trevin Wax, Unchurched or Unsaved? What Our Vocabulary Reveals About Our Beliefs. In this article he challenges us to be clear that what we are about as churches is the eternal salvation of souls. Take time to read it and to recommit to fully fulfill the Great Commission, to help people come to know Jesus as Savior and grow to discipleship maturity in Him.
Every church has been given a different audience to reach and because of that, every church should look to their audience before deciding what trends to follow and what tools to use. What's essential for your church may be very different from what's essential for another church in another part of the world or of your city.
Though it's difficult to know ahead of time how to do that and the best most of us can do is to try various approaches and then, most important of all, to track what works, what doesn't in reaching people for Jesus. To check how effective you've been and to help you set new trends and communication directions for your church, we have a large section of training on this website in: PLANNING, MEASURING & EVALUATING. For these topics, Effective Church Communications has videos, books and articles that will help you. CLICK HERE to go to an overview page with the links to them. This does take time and effort, but it will be worth in as you follow, track and evaluate what trends apply and work best for your church. One of the best places to start is with the overall video/webinar below, click on the title to go to it:
VIDEO: How to plan, measure, and evaluate church communications effectiveness
As you look for and test new ways to reach your world for Jesus, take time to be honest with how well you are using some of the basic tools of church communications including your church bulletin and foundational website. It's difficult to justify new tools and trends if your foundation of the basics is wobbly. In a few weeks we'll have a new book out on Church Bulletins that will help you--pray for us as we finish it that we will include all that is needed to help you.
Remember to pray as you plan
In addition to the careful work of evaluation, planning, setting and tracking the necessary trends for your church this year, take some time for your staff to pray over how the Lord wants you to communicate His messages. Our God who created time and space, knows exactly what you need for the time and place in which He has placed you. He loves you and wants you to carry out the work He's given you to do. Ask Him and He will give you wisdom and strength beyond passing trends, to help change lives for eternity.
Please share your thoughts, comments, questions!