Effective Church Communication

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Effective Church Communication

• Oklahoma Christian University
• November 5, 2004
• Dan Lovejoy - dan.lovejoy_at_oc.edu

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Available Tools

• Listservs
• Web sites
• Management software
• Turnkey solutions
• Consultants

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Listservs

• Announcement type
• A few admins send messages
• Top-down, one-way communication
• Discussions type
• Everyone on the list can send to everyone else
• Distributed, open communication
• Easy to manage and maintain

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Announcement Listservs

• Good for sending announcements, updates,
  newsletters, reducing printing costs
• Require some maintenance

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Discussion Listservs

• Enhance bible class discussion
• Improve group bible study
• Assist small-group communication
• Prayer requests
• Meeting times / logistics
• Coordinate meals, assistance to members
• Individual Ministries

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Listservs

• Yahoo! Groups
• Groups.yahoo.com
• Free / ad supported
• SimpleLists.com
• Starts at 64 per year

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Web Sites - DO

• Focus on the goal
• Nuts and bolts first
• Then Evangelism
• Profread youre wrok!
• Proofread your work!
• Update your site regularly
• Make someone accountable
• Consider hiring a consultant
• Use good photos

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Web Sites - DONT

• Depend on a volunteer
• Hire an amateur or pseudo-pro
• Depend on an expert to update your site
• Make commitments you cant keep

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Web Sites Please DONT

• Use stock photography
• Use ONLY a picture of your church building on
  your site
• Use animated icons or weird fonts

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Consultants

• Dont be intimidated
• Hire a PRO
• Jim Dvorakjim.dvorak_at_oc.edu
• Luke Hartmanluke_at_mrturtle.com

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• Full Service
• Christian Web Service http//www.christianwebserv
  ice.net(Listserv, online directory, audio files,
  Bible access, etc..)Starting _at_ 35 per month
• Web Site ToolsBlogger FreeDreamweaver/Contribu
  teEditMe http//www.editme.com

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Resources

• Listserv optionsYahoo Groups groups.yahoo.com
  Free advertising supportedSimpleLists.com
  Starting at 64 per year
• Church Data Management ToolsInfoCentral -
  http//www.infocentral.org/index.php - Free
• ResourcesHeal Your Church Web
  Sitehttp//www.healyourchurchwebsite.com/See
  especially the Seven Deadly Sins of Church Web
  Designhttp//www.healyourchurchwebsite.com/archi
  ves/001375.shtml