Summary

In this instructive video, Brady Shearer outlines the “Seven Rules of Church Communications Strategy,” a framework designed to improve communication effectiveness within church organizations. The video addresses common communication issues faced by churches, such as event visibility and inter-ministry conflicts over promotions. Shearer emphasizes the necessity of a structured communications policy, particularly in the wake of increased reliance on digital platforms due to the global pandemic. He introduces a series of rules aimed at fostering clarity, cohesion, and engagement in church communications, culminating in a downloadable written policy for church leaders. The rules cover essential aspects of communication, including measuring effectiveness through next steps, creating a central hub for communication, utilizing consistent messaging, and determining the appropriateness of promotions. Throughout the video, Shearer stresses the importance of inspiration over information in church communications, advocating for a shift in approach to empower congregants and reduce stress on communicators.

Highlights

• 📊 Next Steps as a Barometer: The effectiveness of church communications should be measured by the next steps taken by congregants rather than attendance numbers.

• 🏠 Central Hub for Communication: Establishing a central hub allows for streamlined communication and easy access to information, promoting consistent engagement.

• 🎤 Uniform Call to Action: Every communication should direct people to the same call to action to avoid confusion and ensure clarity.

• 📉 50% Rule for Promotions: Promotions should only be made for events applicable to at least 50% of the congregation to prevent overwhelming and irrelevant messaging.

• 📅 One in Five Rule: Limit promotional content to no more than 20% of overall communications to maintain engagement and relevance.

• 🌱 Sprint and Sprinkle Promotions: Use “sprint” promotions for major events and “sprinkle” promotions for minor announcements to balance promotional strategies.

• 📖 Church Promo Formula: Each promotion should consist of one compelling story paired with a clear next step to inspire action and engagement.

Key Insights

• 📈 Importance of Next Steps: The first rule emphasizes that measuring effectiveness through next steps is crucial because it aligns church activities with their core mission of fostering life change. By shifting focus from attendance to actionable outcomes, churches can better assess their impact and improve engagement strategies. This focus on actionable steps can lead to increased participation and fulfillment of the church’s mission.

• 🛠️ Central Hub as a Solution: The central hub concept addresses the chaos often present in church communications. By consolidating all next steps and essential information into one easily accessible platform, churches can enhance clarity and reduce confusion among congregants. This approach not only streamlines communication but also empowers members to engage with church activities whenever they feel inspired, rather than being limited to Sunday services.

• 📜 Consistency in Messaging: Establishing a uniform script for calls to action ensures that congregants receive consistent messaging across all platforms. This reduces the cognitive load on members who may be overwhelmed by varying instructions and helps establish a clear pathway for engagement with church activities.

• 🔍 Targeted Promotions: The 50% rule serves as a critical filter for church communications, ensuring that only relevant promotions are made. This policy reduces noise in communication, preventing congregants from becoming desensitized to promotional content. By focusing on what truly matters to the majority, churches can foster a more engaged and responsive congregation.

• 💬 Engagement Through Content Variety: The one in five rule underlines the need for diverse content in church communications. By limiting promotional posts to 20%, churches can maintain engagement levels and avoid digital fatigue. This encourages the creation of more meaningful and relatable content that resonates with the congregation.

• ⏱️ Managing Promotions with Sprint and Sprinkle: The sprint and sprinkle approach provides a flexible strategy for managing church promotions. By allocating specific times for intense promotional efforts and allowing for smaller, less intrusive promotions, churches can avoid overwhelming their members while still effectively communicating necessary information.

• 📖 Inspiration Over Information: The final key insight emphasizes a paradigm shift in communication strategy. By prioritizing inspirational storytelling over mere informational delivery, churches can create a more engaging and compelling narrative that encourages congregants to take action. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of communications but also fosters a deeper emotional connection between the church and its members.

In summary, the video presents a comprehensive strategy for church communications that addresses common pitfalls and provides actionable steps toward improvement. By implementing these seven rules, churches can enhance their communication efforts, foster greater engagement, and ultimately fulfill their mission more effectively. The insights provided encourage a thoughtful approach to church communications that prioritizes clarity, consistency, and inspiration, benefiting both the church leadership and the congregation.

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