After serving churches in the area of communication and marketing for over a decade, I decided it was time to put some of the things I learned into writing. I have had significant experience serving churches in a variety of contexts—from a church in a medium-sized midwestern town to a growing multi-site church in the heart of downtown Chicago. And, in more recent years, I've worked alongside a number of churches whose ministries are impacting the globe. 

Church Communication 101 will be a collection of some of the lessons I've learned, sometimes the hard way, along my journey in church communication. 

I am passionate about the local church and am equally as passionate about helping those churches communicate their message effectively.  The church has the greatest message and the greatest story—the Gospel. 

While marketers spend millions of dollars to sell products and services that have no long-lasting impact, we've been given the task of communicating a life-changing message that has eternal significance. We need to communicate it, and we need to communicate it well.

What to Expect

Church Communication 101 will feature 101 short essays on church communication perfect for beginners as well as individuals who need a refresher on the basics and new insights. 

Topics covered in the book include:

• A Theology for Church Communication – The role of church communication is new for most churches, and I'll unpack some (biblical) reasons why I believe church communication matters. 
• Church Communication Essentials – I’ll share tips, tricks, and tools I've discovered to do church communication well. 
• Words + Images – From logos to bulletins, writing, and graphic design, words and images have always been an integral part of our Christian faith. In today's culture, they matter more than ever. 
• Web – Your website is the front door to your church online. Churches need to take their online presence seriously. 
• Social Media – Social media is opening new doors for church's content to reach more people. And it provides a great way for churches to interact and engage with their congregations. 
• Everything else – In-service announcements, email, and a lot more will be covered in this section. There are many ways churches communicate, and I'll share some of my thoughts and ideas on various ways churches get their message out there. 
• On the Job – Interpersonal skills, structuring your work week, and learning how to lead up are all essential on the job in a church communications role. I'll define some key things for people leading communication in their churches. 

Previously

I successfully self-published the book Outspoken: Conversations on Church Communication in collaboration with the Center for Church Communication in September 2011. It's been an invaluable resource for church communicators, and the experience of shipping that project has prepared me for the task at hand with Church Communication 101.

My work has been featured and published in many publications and blogs including: the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business, NBC Chicago, Outreach Magazine, ChurchLeaders.com, SUNDAY magazine, and Al Jazeera America.

I've also been a guest speaker and lecturer at many conferences and events including: ECHO Church Media Conference, Hillsong International Leadership College, Christian Media Australia Conference, National Religious Broadcaster's Convention, STORY Chicago, and Cultivate. 

The Team

• Jason Rehmus, Sweating Commas (Editor) 
  Jason will be working with me to edit my ideas in a thoughtful and cohesive way. 
• Ali Nelson, Kindred (Illustrator) 
  Ali and her team are going to do illustrations for the book that will help capture the essence of the message in creative and inspiring ways.
• Chuck Scoggins, ChuckScoggins.com (Layout)
  Chuck will take the words and images from this project and make them into a book. 

What We Need & What You Get

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty. To make this happen, I need your help! Here's what I need and what you can get by helping fund this project:

• The $8,000 budget covers writing and editing costs, as well as costs for layout, design, illustrations, and a small budget for marketing when its complete.
• If $8,000 isn't raised, we will revise the budget and still make this project a reality.
• In addition to the printed and electronic copies of the book, rewards offered include: BowTruss Coffee, an exclusive print from Kindred, t-shirts from SEER, and exclusive rewards that include one-on-one coaching and a keynote or on-site visit to your church or organization!

[An illustration from Kindred, similar to what will be featured in the book and as a reward for supporting this project!]

The Impact

My goal for this project is simple: to help churches communicate better. I believe this book could join the short list of other valuable resources the help churches with their communication efforts. I believe it will be a beneficial resource to a number of groups in church leadership:

• Church Communication Leaders - Whether you're just starting out or need some new insight, you'll get insights from someone else who has been in the trenches.
• Senior Pastors - Learn why this role matters in your church and the skills required  to make a great hire or addition to your staff team.
• Students - If you're passionate about the local church and communication, hear from someone who translated that passion into a full-time career.
• Church Leaders - I've worked in various church contexts and have worked alongside some of the most influential churches in the world. Get the inside scoop on things I've learned working with some of the best.