Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

This month we offer five resources to help your congregation with communication challenges. Please share this digest with new members of your vestry and extend an invitation to subscribe to ECF Vital Practicesto receive Vestry Papers and the monthly digest.

1. In her article, We’re in Jesus’ Marketing Department, Sandra Montes speaks with Hispanic leaders and shares their practical advice on bi-lingual church communications.

2. Want advice on how to grow your church? In Communication, Communication, Tom Ehrich suggests your first step should be hiring a communications director who can create and share a persuasive message.

3. Linda Buskirk’s Calling Kids to Communications presents some simple solutions to not-so-simple problems. Her main takeaway is that communications offers a great opportunity for young people and older adults to share in ministry.

4. In Thinking Strategically About Church Communications, Nancy Davidge asks us to rethink our approach to communications. Instead of focusing on the what , we should be leading with the why – and creating a strategy focused around it.

5. In Say What You Mean: Avoiding Jargon, Jeremiah Sierra points out that often groups have their own vocabulary - this is fine unless it excludes others. Avoiding jargon is especially important in church communications where inclusive language is crucial.