One of the major problems in modern congregations is discovering how to communicate effectively with members. If the pastor gives a sermon on Mother's Day, for example, about family life and ways for parents and children to grow together spiritually, chances are that many young parents will never hear it. They may be visiting their own families, attending the regional Junior High track meet or band festival, be at a picnic at the lake, or squeezing in time to get groceries and purchasing a new prom dress at the mall. On any given Sunday, it is unlikely that most churches will have more than 25 percent of the congregation in one place at one time. One of the challenges for the modern church, therefore, is finding innovative ways to communicate outside of the Sunday service. In the case of Mother's Day a targeted mailing might be the answer. Instead of expecting parents to attend the service why not send the service to them? Acknowledging how busy they are, why not mail (or e-mail) a copy of the pastor's sermon on family life along with a reading list of recommended family devotional guides. Offer to give parents a free copy of the book they would like to use to foster discussion, prayer, and Scripture reading around their dinner table. Better yet, why not send them a DVD of the whole service or make a podcast available for downloading?
One of the major problems in modern congregations is discovering how to communicate effectively with members. If the pastor gives a sermon on Mother's Day, for example, about family life and ways for parents and children to grow together spiritually, chances are that many young parents will never hear it. They may be visiting their own families, attending the regional Junior High track meet or band festival, be at a picnic at the lake, or squeezing in time to get groceries and purchasing a new prom dress at the mall. On any given Sunday, it is unlikely that most churches will have more than 25 percent of the congregation in one place at one time. One of the challenges for the modern church, therefore, is finding innovative ways to communicate outside of the Sunday service. In the case of Mother's Day a targeted mailing might be the answer. Instead of expecting parents to attend the service why not send the service to them? Acknowledging how busy they are, why not mail (or e-mail) a copy of the pastor's sermon on family life along with a reading list of recommended family devotional guides. Offer to give parents a free copy of the book they would like to use to foster discussion, prayer, and Scripture reading around their dinner table. Better yet, why not send them a DVD of the whole service or make a podcast available for downloading? Develop more use of the church's Web page to communicate with other groups in the congregation. Posting sermons every week might be welcomed by members who are traveling or cannot be at worship for other reasons. The church could investigate the possibility of broadcasting its service on public access television and a local radio station or live stream it on the Internet. Send other targeted messages to members with different special interests. Monthly mailings regarding upcoming volunteer work projects, longer term mission trips, study opportunities, links to presbytery, synod, and General Assembly websites, etc. could inform those particularly concerned about the church's mission program. Forward memos about study opportunities locally and in surrounding churches, colleges, or seminaries to people particularly interested in adult education. Members with the expertise could establish chat rooms on the church Web site for the discussion of recommended books. The Christian Education Committee and youth leaders could prepare individual Web pages for elementary children, junior highs, senior highs and college students, recognizing that they all have different needs and interests in the church. Perhaps a special committee could visit shut-ins on a weekly basis to let them know what is going on in their congregation, what is happening to the friends they miss so much, and whom to pray for. They could bring along a video message from the pastor recorded especially for members who are homebound. In the new information age in which we live the church is just beginning to realize the possibilities of targeted messaging and communication. If we can think beyond the old concept that members must get all their information about the church on Sunday morning or through the church newsletter, we might discover that they are much more interested in God's work and message than we dare to imagine. Paul's admonition in Romans 10:14-15 is still valid as we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st century. How are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? Do you have new ideas about the way the church can communicate with members? Please share them on the Outlook's Discussion Forums, (www.pres-outlook.com/). The ways in which people can hear (and see) today are not limited by attendance at weekly worship or the contents of the monthly newsletter but only by the imagination and ingenuity of those called to bring the message about Christ and his work to busy and distracted members. Earl S. Johnson Jr. is pastor of First Church in Johnstown, N.Y., and adjunct professor of religious studies at Siena College.
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed