3 Seminars That Would (or Should) Be a Hit With Church Communications Directors

A friend of mine and fellow church communications director asked me for my input about seminar topics for an upcoming communications conference.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and give you the three topics I suggested … plus give you some added commentary … here they are:

1. HOW CHURCHES COULD USE BLOGS FOR MINISTRY

Blogs are the hot topics. And pastors who blog, well, they’re awesome. They’re using this easy-to-use technology for the benefit of their ministries.

I devoted a whole series to it here called Blogging 101 for Pastors.
The pastors who get it … the ones who see the vast potential for using it in ministry and are pioneering the use of this technology in the church … are probably seeing some outstanding results and some heartbreak too. If you’re one, I’d like to hear from you and tell your story here!

2. HOW TO BUILD ROCKIN’ COOL CHURCH WEBSITES

Yeah, you’re probably catching on that these are the two main series I’ve done here. But hey, that makes a better argument for my case, right?

I too can learn (and am learning) about wielding websites for use in ministry. But realistically … we all should be continually learning about this technology.
We need to know about using email newsletters, content management systems, elements of functional yet attractive design … how to use them creatively and innovatively … what new technology is out there that we can leverage and use on our sites …

I learned recently from the FACTs on Growth report that one characteristics of growing churches is … [drum roll] … JUST HAVING A WEBSITE!

3. HOW TO TEACH MARKETING TO MINISTRY LEADERS

OK, this should be number one on the list, actually. I’ve found in my five years of working in church/ministry positions that it’s sometimes (I’ll be honest, nearly 99% of the time) an absolute BATTLE to convince ministry leadership of the value of marketing, branding, quality logo design, etc.

We all want something for nothing. I’m not different. We’re bootstrapped. I want something for half the price it’d normally cost.

BUT … you get what you pay for.

AND … marketing — the good, effective kind — costs money!

I’ve maintained this premise for years: Ministry leaders spend most of their lives learning theology, preaching, ministry practices (and I applaud and support that in every way) … but they spend almost ZERO time learning sound business practices, like marketing.

[Major aside/tangent: One quality seminar … held on a seminary campus for seminary credit …. and led by Chris or Kem … would go miles in terms of educating pastors … and filling this rather large gaping void in their ministry “education.”]

Back to the post …

THEREFORE … most don’t get it (and I can’t blame them … they haven’t seen its potential for use as a tool for accomplishing the mission of the church).

THAT’S WHY … a seminar for church communications directors on how to teach and educate and demonstrate the value of marketing practices (balanced with a healthy dose of biblical discernment) to ministry leaders (i.e. pastors) would be an absolute HIT!
… I’d buy a tape! :-)

January 3, 2007 · Filed Under Church Marketing

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