Media Outreach

You might be asking yourself “what exactly is a blog and how would it be beneficial to our ministry?”
A blog is a way to communicate. The word Blog is short for ‘Web log,’ which is a site or page within a site that allows an individual or group of individuals to share a running log of events and personal insights with online audiences.

Have you asked yourself, “How can I better communicate with our members, our staff, and our community?” Blogging is a great tool to do just that. If you don’t already have blogs on your website, I strongly recommend adding this tool, and for those who already have blogs, I want to share some ideas on how to keep members and the community engaged throughout the summer by utilizing blogs.

The biggest keys to blogging are consistent updates and varying your delivery and style, which, in turn, will keep people engaged with God’s Word and the vision of your ministry. A great way to keep it interesting and appealing is to take a team/group approach, with different people taking on different roles. You can easily set up separate landing pages to break down the blogging into different groups. Below are some ideas for a church blog:

The Pastor Blog: This is especially beneficial for the community and members to engage in a sermon series throughout the week. The pastor could post ideas and thoughts that continue Sunday’s message for weekly application. Another idea would be specific Daily Devotionals.

The Ministry Blog: Each ministry within the church could set up its own blog. An example would be a Youth Blog; this is a great way to reach out to the young people in your community. With teens spending so much time online as it is, using blogs as a tool for devotions and communication would only be appropriate. By utilizing blogs, you can engage your youth, interact with them and allow them to post comments about what’s on their minds and questions or issues they are facing. I know I would prefer my children getting their answers from a church blog (the Word) instead of from some of the worldly sites that are online today.

But don’t stop there! Other ministries could include small group leaders to give information and thoughts to their attendees. A small group blog can open a door to any curious visitor interested in your church and at the same time keep the group informed and engaged in not only their studies but specific events for that group.

Don’t leave anyone out. Set up a blog for all your ministries. You may have missionaries abroad who can keep members updated on their missions. What about the Seniors? My parents, who are in their 70’s, go online everyday. Some may be homebound and would love to have an avenue to communicate with other members and to hear what is happening while away.

The Information Blog: An information blog is another way to communicate events, prayer requests, updates on church members, etc,. I saw a blog set up on one of my client’s site that I enjoyed reading. It was titled ‘How I was Blessed Today.’ These types of blogs not only offer information but also reach out to the needs of the membership and the community.

A church blog is meant to reach out and to communicate with your members, staff and community. It can touch individual’s lives, give them hope, peace of mind, and keep them informed of church activities. It also helps them to communicate with other members and gives them a place they can feel loved. This, in turns, encourages them to continue to not only interact with the site but to keep them involved in the church, even while away over the summer months.