Communication

Church communicators are always striving to share the word of God as well as their church’s news with their congregation, community, and beyond. Social media’s ability to make sharing this information easy and fun is growing rapidly. There are helpful rules and best practices to live by when using social media for the Church that can inspire followers, instill confidence and keep your accounts safe and in good standing.

No one wants to talk about or even think about their church closing. Yet 65 percent of churches are in decline or have hit a plateau. So what does it actually mean to close a church? And when a church closes, what happens to the church technology and communication channels like social media and websites?

From September through May churches experience regularity and rhythm within their ministries and have a general understanding of the expected level of weekly attendance. This consistency and structure also allow for an understanding of the commitment level that volunteers are able to provide to support ministries during these months. Then summer comes and everything changes.

Is your church finally ready to dive in and start using Instagram? While you're nowhere near the last church on earth to take the plunge and join the Insta-church party, you will be joining this online community at a time when the platform is at its peak. Churches and users have learned some pretty savvy tricks to keep their accounts visible, viral, and performing their best. So where do you start?

Church planters need all the help they can get. The business of launching a new church and establishing a new worship community requires all the strength God can offer. Luckily, churches can also rely on missionally-focused church planting networks to provide a great deal of support and guidance during the process too. But what other resources are available?

On a weekly basis, 15 women from countries across North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia gathered together through a Zoom video conference — Bible study notes in hand — ready to discuss the book of Romans. Using video conferencing software for a Bible study may be a novelty to many and very foreign to some, and as technology evolves we face new opportunities to use tech for good.

Chances are if you are a pastor or if you work with one, the following question has come up, "when are you (or when is your pastor) planning to publish a book?" It's fairly common for a pastor to want to write a book, especially after the number of years they spend in study. After writing dissertations and papers galore, along with years of writing sermons, pulling together a book shouldn't seem too daunting. Yet, it still is.

The church bulletin plays a vital role in making visitors feel welcome and members feel connected to the life of the church. Whether handed out by greeters or left out on a table for visitors to grab before entering your sanctuary, your church bulletin serves as a first impression that can shape how others see your church. Like with any other form of outreach, you want to make this impression count.