Without giving away my age, I will admit that when I started out in ministry print media was at the center of the church communications world. Nearly everything deemed worth communicating was printed. Anything of real significance was communicated through a variety of print pieces usually including a specialty piece (brochure, postcard, etc.) and mentions in the big two (weekly worship bulletin and monthly newsletter). While websites did exist, they certainly were not a central part of a communications plan.
In 2014 print media should be a small part of a congregation’s overall communication strategy. Just how small will depend on a number of variables including the demographic profile of a given congregation.
The $100K Difference
Chuck Scoggins, Executive Director at the Center for Church Communication and owner of the 374 Media Group, recently shared the story of how one congregation saved $100K a year by moving from print to digital communications.
So What?
Churches are in the communications business. What gets communicated by whom, when and how should not be left to the discretion of the pastor or select professional staff responsible for creating and sharing your message. It should be far more intentional, including knowing what (if anything) gets printed, and why.
- Over the last 5 years, how much has your church cut back on the use of print media?
- How much of your congregation’s current annual budget is allotted for communications? What percentage of that is for print media?
- Do you think your congregation will ever go 100% digital? If so, by what year do you think this is likely?