Effective Church Communications

Effective Church Communications provides Timeless Strategy and Biblical Inspiration to help churches create communications that fully fulfill the Great Commission

Effective Church Communications provides Timeless Strategy and Biblical Inspiration to help churches create communications that fully fulfill the Great Commission.

The most important thing about church newsletters, whether they are in print or online

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The most important thing about newsletters, whether you ultimately mail them out, post them as a PDF on your website, or use an online newsletter to create them, is the CONTENT in the newsletter. People do not read church newsletters to check out the great graphic design skills of the church—they read them to find out connecting facts and inspirational updates, such as:

  • when and where the youth group is meeting
  • if the church event has a cost and/or childcare
  • how to become part of a small group
  • they read the pastor's column to learn more about him or her as a person
  • they scan the updates that head of the ministry in which they serve to see has to share this month that affects them

Bottom line: if your newsletter provides relevant, timely, useful content for the people of your church it is effective and successful. [Read more...]

Youth newsletter reveals staff personalities

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The masthead of your publication can be used for ministry insight and humor as well as simply information. Download this PDF to see an great example.
The masthead of your publication can be used for ministry insight and humor as well as simply information. Download this PDF to see an great example.

This publication was done in the early days of desktop publishing, but don't let the outdated look distract you from some great content and a wonderful communication lesson.

What makes this so great came to my attention by accident. I was helping this group evaluate the content of the newsletter and we did a survey asking people what their favorite sections were. The newsletter had columns by very good writers and well-done ministry updates.

To everyone's surprise, the #1 favorite of everyone was not any of the great inspirational writing or the great updates, but the nameplate. Download the PDF and you'll see why—each month the staff gave a brief note about themselves—sometimes revealing some quite interesting information.

A take-away lesson: don't be afraid to make your communications in print and online human. Be who you are.

You don't have to do lengthy, tell-all blogs to allow your readers to get to know you. You can have tiny updates each month on Facebook or Twitter or short blog entries asking questions like this masthead does and bit-by-bit you will form relationships. As this newsletter shows, little phrases can convey big insights.

To download the PDF, click here or on the image.

note: this PDF is from Yvon Prehn's archives and is the only format of this article available presently. Not the greatest quality to be sure, but shared with the belief that the content is useful.

Choir newsletter example: upbeat, brief, and effective

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One page choir newsletter and a great example of how a niche publication keep members informed in a fun and upbeat way.
One page choir newsletter and a great example of how a niche publication keep members informed in a fun and upbeat way.

Great design never goes out of style and though this PDF example is from a number of years ago, it's still great. The overall design, attitude, words, and content of this piece is a great example and inspiration for any church communication piece.

It is a one-page update newsletter for the choir, but what it illustrates could be applied in many situations.

A key take-away idea from this is that no matter what the format you use to inform people, whether it is paper, PDF online, a webpage or email, for a ministry update, be brief and positive.

Notice also that though the layout is fun and pleasing, images do not overwhelm content. The words, lists, content is clear and complete.

The tone of your communications, a pleasant layout and your words should all communicate the joy of serving the Lord.

To download the PDF, click here or on the image.

note: this PDF is from Yvon Prehn's archives and is the only format of this article available presently. Not the greatest quality to be sure, but shared with the belief that the content is useful.