Your Church Newsletter: Ideas for evangelism

Distribution

1. Add visitors and friends to your mailing list quickly and systematically

2. Leave persons on your mailing list even if they haven't been attending.

3. Include persons on the mailing list who attend other events at the church---preschool, youth group, aerobics, etc.

4. Look at other means of distribution---share with a friend effort, doctors' office, Welcome Wagon, etc.

Overall Presentation (Look at your newsletter as a person who does not know your congregation or may not even be familiar with church life)

1. Overall attractiveness---What picture of church life does your newsletter demonstrate before you even read the words?

2. Overall tone of the headlines, articles, content---Newsletters can build church morale.

3. Consider what news gets top billing. Include a clear invite on front or back page.

4. Lift up people, ministries---celebrate! Be more than an announcement sheet. Share what good things have happened, along with promoting upcoming events.

5. Clearly state the benefits. "This Bible study offers a better understanding of Jesus' last days on earth." "Youth who have been part of previous work trips felt new pride in their ability to help others."

6. Avoid church jargon. Explain age groups, purpose of group, ability level needed to participate etc. If you use acronyms, explain them. List a contact person with phone #.

Expanded Mailings

1. Best at special times of the year: Christmas, Easter, new school year OR When you have something to offer which may be of interest to community: senior day care, youth events, Vacation Bible School, music series.

2. Probably better to mail a different piece than to use your standard newsletter.

3. May have newsletter look, but it needs to clearly spell out that it is something of interest to persons who are not church attendees.

4. Many mailing services are out there. Be clear about who you want to reach---zip code, carrier sort, PO boxes.