For those of us who work in churches or other faith-based organizations, it often feels like we are working in a silo. Depending on the size of the church we may be the only person running a department and wearing a variety of hats just to get the job done. The employees in charge of communications or marketing can especially feel as though they are alone. They may be the most technologically savvy or graphically gifted person in the office. Their expertise seems foreign to other staff members, sometimes so much so that it is difficult to even hold brainstorming sessions with their co-workers.

Communicating and marketing for faith-based organizations is not unlike working in the private sector, but it does have some unique areas that need to be considered. For instance, knowing when to use “church” language, or how to convey a message using every-day language without watering down its purpose. Faith communicators also need to know to tip-toe the marketing arena so that their message is seen and heard without offending those who may view it. The world perception of anything Christian is often (sometimes deservingly so) seen as being exclusive, judgmental, and biased. The faith communicator needs to know how to jump over these hurdles so that people will observe and partake in what is being offered.

Because we may work in a silo, and have such unique obstacles to overcome, it seems natural that faith communicators would benefit from collaboration. But, how do we do that? In our line of work, there may not be too many of us in any one regional area. The technologies we use for our work are the same resources we need to use for collaboration. You may be limited by the number of people in your area who are doing the same sort of work as you, but the internet and social media tools opens up the whole world to connect with.

I would suggest that you first survey the faith-based organizations around you and try to connect with people in your local area. Choose a topic to discuss (creating affordable, current websites, print newsletters vs. electronic newsletters, etc.) and meet regularly to learn from each other and brainstorm together. You will find that the members will grow professionally and the resources each person brings to the group are invaluable. If you can’t connect with others in your local area, or if the group is small, use social media tools to connect with communicators and marketers in other parts of the country or world. Form a Facebook group, search for others on Twitter, or reach out to others who are in your line of work and invite them to join a regular online conversation.

I am forming a group with people in the greater Seattle area, and in addition, I am working to create an online group for anyone in the field to join. You can participate with me by joining my Facebook group – Faith Communications, and/or sending me your contact information. I will look for areas of interest and begin a discussion with this blog. As the group grows, I will welcome others to write articles for the blog and share responses to the postings.

This is just a beginning, but I believe we are called to work together. Remembering the passage from Matthew 18, when we work together in God’s name, he is with us also. Please join me…

Bookmark It

Hide Sites