COMMUNICATION: Let Your Constituencies Build Your Plan

We didn’t just start asking this question last week. It has always been a big question – “How do we get the word out about what’s going on?” It has never mattered in what age human beings have lived. It has always been a big question. It didn’t matter if you communicated by smoke signal or text, by pony express or email, by drumbeat or morse code, by snail mail or snapchat. Ministry professionals have always faced the question and have always been under pressure to come up with better and more efficient answers to the communication “problem.” Click To Tweet

Three Things

1. Often, the wrong people are asking and answering the question. By mixing up this key point, we way overcomplicate what should be a simple thing.
   1. The ministry professional should be ASKING the question, “How can I best get the word out,” because they don’t have all the answers. By asking the question ministry professionals show a keen interest in getting everybody on board. Click To Tweet
   2. Ministry constituencies should be ANSWERING the question because they know what forms of communication work best for them. When your constituencies answer the question, you have the basis for a communication plan. Click To Tweet
2. A communication plan must be revisited from time to time, especially in our fast-evolving technological age. iGeneration kids seem to change communication forms every year/month/WEEK. But you can evolve with them if you continue to ask the question from time to time – “How can I best get the word out to you?”
3. You DON’T have to communicate in every form known to humanity. In fact, trying to do so may even make your communication more muddy as constituents search high and low for the information that they need. If you ask, they will tell you the best ways to get them important information.

So What’s a Communication Plan?

I’m glad you asked! Basically, it lists four things – constituencies, forms of communication, types of information each constituency needs, and how often they will receive that information. And the communication plan should be shared with everyone related to the ministry. In that way they know where to look for what types of information.

A quick youth ministry sample might look like this below. Of course, you’ll know this isn’t an exhaustive example. If you want a more complete communication plan, email me at david.carroll@ministryarchitects.com.

CONSTITUENCY	COMMUNICATION FORM	INFORMATION	TIME FRAME
Parents	Email	Schedule, updates	Weekly
Parents	Registration brochure	Events, deadlines	Semi-annual
Youth	Group text	Reminders	Weekly
Adult volunteers	Email	Assignments	Weekly

Besides Jesus, Information Is One of the Best Things You Can Share with People

To be “in the know” is to be included. And to be included goes a long way toward helping a young person to feel loved. Click To Tweet To be “in the know” is to be informed. And to be informed goes a long way toward helping an adult ministry volunteer to feel valued. Click To Tweet To be “in the know” is to be encouraged. And to be encouraged goes a long way toward helping a parent feel enthusiastic about driving to the church one more time, because their kid just might find Jesus that night. Click To Tweet

Conclusion

So ask! They will tell you what you need to know to communicate effectively!

If you want to explore more about what this looks like or see more examples of communication plans, email me at david.carroll@ministryarchitects.com. I’d love to spend some time helping to get the word out in your ministry.