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Last week we began talking about how to determine which modes of communication an organization should utilize.  With so many options like websites, e-newsletters, blogs, podcasts, bulletins, printed newsletters, brochures, and more, deciding among them can be a huge challenge.  We looked at some of the factors to consider and evaluated several communication modes on those factors.  Hopefully, it helped clarify the pros and cons of various modes and got you thinking about new ways you might be able to communicate more effectively.

It’s very common, particularly, for small organizations to get overwhelmed at the thought of trying to tap into all the new modes of communication available to us today.  It’s challenging enough to get your existing publications, websites, newsletters, etc done on time with excellence.  How can you possibly add more to your plate?

Well, in the last two years we at OurChurch.Com have added five new communications modes - an announcements forum, announcements email subscription, this blog, RSS feeds for the announcements and blog, and press release distribution.  Here are some essential time-saving tips we learned along the way: (more…)

Last week I wrote a bit about what it means to inform people on their terms.  In this day and age, we simply can’t assume and expect people to be always looking for or listening to our communications.  People are constantly being bombarded with messages and have a natural tendency to skim and filter, sometimes missing important messages.  They also have so many different choices in the ways, tools, or modes to use to communicate that it’s impossible to get a message to everyone using the same mode.

“The big challenge, however, is deciding which modes of communication to use.   Does a small church in a rural farm town need a website, an e-newsletter, and a blog complete with RSS feeds?  Should a multi-national ministry mail out monthly newsletters to all its supporters?  Does a business need to be able to text message their clients when they have a sale to remain competitive?�

Let’s take a look… (more…)

In our last blog article I posted some 2007 predictions, focusing on trends in communication technology and their impact on Christian ministry.  The prediction that sparked the most comments and the one I’ve been thinking most about recently is, “Organizations will have to inform people on their terms.�

What are “their terms?â€�  How does an organization, whether it’s a church, a ministry, a school, a business, or some other type of organization, determine the best way to communicate with its audience (congregation, clients, parents, students, etc)?  What do you do if your audience is so diverse that includes some people who don’t even use computers and others for whom their computer is practically an appendage? (more…)

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family, friends, and most importantly, Jesus.  I love this time of year because it’s a time of optimism and fresh starts.  More than any other time of year, in January we believe in the possibility of what could be.

Now I’m sure you’ve noticed in the last couple of weeks there has been no shortage of articles, blogs, and TV shows containing 2007 predictions.  They range from the dire like Pat Robertson’s prediction of a terrorist attack to the wacky (the Spice Girls will reunite.)  I promise not to scare you with doomsday forecasts, and while it’s tempting I’ll resist the urge to humor you with outrageous possibilities.

In fact, I’m kind of cool to the whole prediction thing, but I believe that success often comes from anticipating a trend and putting yourself in a position to ride the wave.  My hope is that by talking about some of the current trends related to Christianity and the Internet that you can position yourself to ride one or more of these waves in 2007.  So, here are 5 predictions for 2007 and their implications for Christian ministry. (more…)