Improving Communications at Brighton First

As part of the strategic plan set out by the Administrative Board of Brighton First, the Communications Team is creating policy and practices for effective communications. This includes communications within our church and with the general public.

Primary areas being discussed are website and social media presence, consistency in name and logo use, and excellence in print media. Church leaders will have guidelines for submitting news and announcements in the media sources that Brighton First uses including: bulletins, worship screen images, web site, Facebook, fliers, postcards and posters.

The Communications Team is currently discussing changes to the newsletter. This publication, which appears 9 - 10 times per years is both mailed and emailed to church members. Changes could include reducing the number of newsletter issues per year or replacing the newsletter with monthly mailed bulletins to those who cannot attend worship. The bulletins contain much of the same information found in monthly newsletters.

The biggest shift in communication practice will be a more active web site. After consulting with the communications director of the Detroit Annual Conference, Mark Doyle, the team has determined that all announcements and activities from Brighton First will be available on the web site. Best practices of dynamic churches included directing both congregation members and those seeking a new church home toward the church's web site. 

Brighton First's web site, currently being redeveloped, will eventually include sign ups and links for people to pay for events and give to mission projects on line through debit card, credit card or Pay Pal.

If you have any questions, contact Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis.

Improving Communications at Brighton First

As part of the strategic plan set out by the Administrative Board of Brighton First, the Communications Team is creating policy and practices for effective communications. This includes communications within our church and with the general public.

Primary areas being discussed are website and social media presence, consistency in name and logo use, and excellence in print media. Church leaders will have guidelines for submitting news and announcements in the media sources that Brighton First uses including: bulletins, worship screen images, web site, Facebook, fliers, postcards and posters.

The Communications Team is currently discussing changes to the newsletter. This publication, which appears 9 - 10 times per years is both mailed and emailed to church members. Changes could include reducing the number of newsletter issues per year or replacing the newsletter with monthly mailed bulletins to those who cannot attend worship. The bulletins contain much of the same information found in monthly newsletters.

The biggest shift in communication practice will be a more active web site. After consulting with the communications director of the Detroit Annual Conference, Mark Doyle, the team has determined that all announcements and activities from Brighton First will be available on the web site. Best practices of dynamic churches included directing both congregation members and those seeking a new church home toward the church's web site. 

Brighton First's web site, currently being redeveloped, will eventually include sign ups and links for people to pay for events and give to mission projects on line through debit card, credit card or Pay Pal.

If you have any questions, contact Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis.

Improving Communication at Brighton First

"I didn't know about it." "Who made that decision?" "How long have we been doing that?" These are questions that I've heard concerning events, on-going programs, mission efforts that I've heard from congregation members at Brighton First. On Tuesday evening of this week, Brighton First's Administrative Board (the governing body of the church), determined that members of the congregation need more information concerning the direction of the church, its mission and ministries.

In an effort to assist church leaders in sharing information, the church staff is compiling a directory of communication avenues, including who to contact, who is reached by each form of communication and format for communicating. The directory includes directions for submitting weekly announcements and monthly newsletter articles, as well as submitting announcements for the church's Facebook page and website. There are also directions for creating fliers, posters and mailings.

Church leaders, those who are leading programs, mission events and special gatherings now have directions and assistance for reaching the congregation and the community with news and information.

Part of feeling connected at Brighton First is knowing what the church is doing!

Improving Communication at Brighton First

"I didn't know about it." "Who made that decision?" "How long have we been doing that?" These are questions that I've heard concerning events, on-going programs, mission efforts that I've heard from congregation members at Brighton First. On Tuesday evening of this week, Brighton First's Administrative Board (the governing body of the church), determined that members of the congregation need more information concerning the direction of the church, its mission and ministries.

In an effort to assist church leaders in sharing information, the church staff is compiling a directory of communication avenues, including who to contact, who is reached by each form of communication and format for communicating. The directory includes directions for submitting weekly announcements and monthly newsletter articles, as well as submitting announcements for the church's Facebook page and website. There are also directions for creating fliers, posters and mailings.

Church leaders, those who are leading programs, mission events and special gatherings now have directions and assistance for reaching the congregation and the community with news and information.

Part of feeling connected at Brighton First is knowing what the church is doing!

Effective and Timely Communication at Brighton First

At the last few meetings I've attended, the need for communication has been discussed. Church leaders have talked about communication between teams and task forces, as well as getting information to congregation members in a timely way. At last night's Worship Design Team session, one team member challenged us to think about how we carry the message of our worship service out into the community room and beyond. Communication is essential to move forward together with a unified mission. Sharing information keeps us connected and promotes understanding.

Currently, Brighton First uses email, the US mail, Facebook, Twitter and our website, brightonfumc.org. This blog is another source of information. In the church building, information appears on the screens before worship begins and on monitors in the church entrance and in the community room. There are fliers on a table in the community room and the weekly worship folder has timely information about upcoming events. The children's and missions ministries use bulletin board to provide information. On Sunday mornings, clergy and lay worship leaders share information and, often, there are videos or slide presentations that highlight missions or children's ministries.

Today, there are many ways to communicate information and people choose what form of media and from what sources they will receive information. We have found that if we are to reach as many people as possible, we have to use all forms of communication available to reach people.

What is your most effective source of information? Do you turn to your computer screen, the Sunday worship folder or to one-on-one conversation to find out what is happening at Brighton First? Do you feel there is a form of communication we are missing? Or, is there information about activities, events or future plans that could be shared more effectively?

If you are a leader at Brighton First, ask your committee and team members about how your are sharing information? If you are connected with Brighton First and have ideas on how relavant communication could be improved, please let me know.

Effective and Timely Communication at Brighton First

At the last few meetings I've attended, the need for communication has been discussed. Church leaders have talked about communication between teams and task forces, as well as getting information to congregation members in a timely way. At last night's Worship Design Team session, one team member challenged us to think about how we carry the message of our worship service out into the community room and beyond. Communication is essential to move forward together with a unified mission. Sharing information keeps us connected and promotes understanding.

Currently, Brighton First uses email, the US mail, Facebook, Twitter and our website, brightonfumc.org. This blog is another source of information. In the church building, information appears on the screens before worship begins and on monitors in the church entrance and in the community room. There are fliers on a table in the community room and the weekly worship folder has timely information about upcoming events. The children's and missions ministries use bulletin board to provide information. On Sunday mornings, clergy and lay worship leaders share information and, often, there are videos or slide presentations that highlight missions or children's ministries.

Today, there are many ways to communicate information and people choose what form of media and from what sources they will receive information. We have found that if we are to reach as many people as possible, we have to use all forms of communication available to reach people.

What is your most effective source of information? Do you turn to your computer screen, the Sunday worship folder or to one-on-one conversation to find out what is happening at Brighton First? Do you feel there is a form of communication we are missing? Or, is there information about activities, events or future plans that could be shared more effectively?

If you are a leader at Brighton First, ask your committee and team members about how your are sharing information? If you are connected with Brighton First and have ideas on how relavant communication could be improved, please let me know.