Your Church Newsletter: What's Your Purpose

If you are looking for ways to make your church newsletter communicate more effectively, start with its purpose.

Just as a church can offer more effective ministry when it has a clear vision of what it is trying to accomplish, so does your newsletter. Most newsletters take considerable time and money to produce, so it is even more important to get a clear view of your purpose. Deciding what you are trying to accomplish can help you make decisions about the design and layout of your newsletter, its frequency, where news and information are placed and what articles are included.

Here are some ideas:

If you want to INVITE persons to be part of your congregation's activities:

• Clearly list the times of your worship services, along with the name and address of your church. Put this information on the front or back page, where it is most likely to be seen. If directions to the church would be helpful, include them.

• Clearly list your church staff and their job titles. If your church has a brief mission statement, include it.

• Include an invitation to a church event that might be of interest to new folks on the front or back page.

• Use pictures if possible. Remember a sharp, interesting photo is worth a thousand words.

• Keep the tone of your newsletter positive.

• Include news about different age groups in your publication.

If the most important purpose of your church newsletter is to INVOLVE new persons in the life of your congregation:

• Include an invitation to a new group or ongoing event on the front or back page of every issue.

• Briefly explain the purpose of the altar guild, diaconate, elders and other "churchspeak."

• Avoid using acronyms (CWF, CCF, DOM, etc.).

• Periodically include tidbits of your congregation's history. Information about denominational history and traditions may also be appreciated.

• Use a "featured person(s)" column to introduce church officers, church staff, new members and/or others.

If you want to INFORM church members and friends about upcoming events:

• Be timely. Consider mail delivery time both in your zip code and beyond when you plan what news to include. Folks can't participate if they find out after the fact.

• Think through how you will help promote upcoming events. For example, you might announce big events three months ahead. Remind folks to mark their calendars..Two months ahead write a different article about how persons can be involved. One month ahead let folks know how plans are shaping up, and what help is still needed. Last issue---invite all to participate. Afterwards, celebrate the event's success and thank all who participated.

• Avoid becoming an ad page. Tell the stories behind church events---"Doris Jones has grown our Easter lilies for the past 11 years, and they have always been beautiful." "Money made by the youth will assist them in their annual mission trip. This year the youth will travel to Haiti."

No matter what your primary purpose is, your newsletter will be read more if it as an easy to use design, the pages are laid out with some white space and artwork, and it is printed cleanly on light colored paper.

Thanks for caring about the ministry of communication. Keep up the good work!