Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

From the sad and true files…

Overheard: Well, our ____________ doesn’t want us to use the word “Episcopal” in our name….     

What I find puzzling is hearing this said in the context of a conversation about branding. Which begs the question: Isn’t Episcopal our brand?

A recent Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life report indicates that one-in-five adults have no religious affiliation. The report notes that 68% of the people identifying themselves as without religious affiliation say they believe in God and 10% of those with no religious affiliation are “looking for a religion that would be right for you.”

Those 10% represent an opportunity for our churches. The question is: How do we find them?

A first step is to make it easy for people seeking a church that would be right for them to find us.

How do we do that? By sharing what we believe: Publically and unapologetically, on our websites, our Facebook pages, and in person by our words and actions. In the course of my work I visit a lot of Episcopal Church websites and while I have seen some excellent newcomer/seeker pages, too many congregational websites seem to speak only to people already active in the congregation.

Would someone in your community seeking a church that embodies the values represented in your congregation, be able to discover that through an online search, or through a conversation with one of your parishioners?

To test this, your vestry or other group might try these five steps:

1. Visit the I Am an Episcopalian resources on the Episcopal Church website and watch some of the video clips of Episcopalians from across our church sharing their story of why they are Episcopal.   
2. Reflect on – and articulate – your reasons for belonging to the Episcopal Church. 
3. Practice sharing your reasons for belonging to the Episcopal Church (say them out loud, in front of the group), and create a list to share on your website, Facebook page, and in other communications materials. 
4. Take a look at your congregation’s website, Facebook page, and other communications materials using the eyes of a stranger: do they clearly communicate the things that drew you to the Episcopal Church?  
5. Make a commitment – and a plan – to proclaim and share your stories on your website and Facebook page, in your other communication materials, and in person.

How is your congregation sharing its story – and values - in the wider community?