Assignment Title: Internal Church Communication Strategy
Course: CHMN 699 - Internship
Student: Kristine Sage
Date: January 29, 2022
Professor: Dr. Mary Smith
Liberty University
Internal Church Communication Strategy
A key part about church communication strategy is knowing the differences and similarities
between internal and external. Ultimately, they should be one and the same, but there are parts that
are unique to each. The internal strategy constitutes your plan when it comes to communicating with
the already present congregation.
In this, I think that transparency is absolutely crucial. If we cannot be clear with our church staff and
members as communicators, this can lead to distrust. That, in turn, can lead to discourse and the
divorce of a church with itself. Even with the difficult topics and scenarios, it is imperative that the
church leaders come together and decide a way to communicate what happened with the body.
It is also important for us as church communicators to recognize that some members are at various
parts of their walk with Christ. Some are new to this, others have been here for decades, and still others
are returning after being away. Each of these scenarios, and the countless individual ones within each
category, needs to be handled slightly differently. Adjust your communication plans to welcome and
further each group equally.
External Church Communication Strategy
External communication is just as important as internal communication. One cannot succeed
without the other. Outside of your church are the possible new members that we would want to add to
the community in Christ. This is where outreach, evangelism, community events, and more can be
impactful.
Observe and understand the world outside of the four walls of the church building. Use that
knowledge to plan events and outreaches that make sense. Pour into non-profits and connect with
other churches and organizations that are like-minded.
Figure out a way to seamlessly integrate new members from outside the church into the church
community without stopping there. You should always have a strategy for how you will keep someone
connected into the church and knowing what’s going on, such as a next steps program and small groups.
Make sure that your church website, social media, and everything else is accessible and understandable
to anyone that sees it.
Church Communication Style Guide
When it comes to external communication specifically, the style or brand of your church is
powerful. You are essentially advertising yourself, so you want to make sure that everything you do is
cohesive. This is why, as cheesy as it is, you should market your church’s brand wherever possible.
Every website and social media page you are on, all of the church newsletters you hand out, every
Easter event that you hold, and so on should have the same logos, color scheme, and brand. Creating
this unified front will ensure that everyone immediately knows who you are and what you do. Your team
members should be on the same page as well.
This is especially important if you have more than one church plant or campus. For example, it is
possible you’ve heard of a ministry called the Dream Center. The LA Dream Center is the original but
there are hundreds around the world that are connected to the source. If you know what the first center
does, chances are you already know some of what the partnered centers do, like the one in Australia.
This same idea should apply to your church’s communication, online presence, branding, and
marketing. Choose a fun logo, name, and style that is consistent across everything you do. Make t-shirts
with it, ensure your church’s website showcases your style, make signs for the church that are instantly
recognizable, and use it anywhere else where members of your church, as well as people outside the
church, might see it.
Create Your Church Communication Strategy Today
Church communication strategy can be one of the most daunting tasks, and one that many ignore
because of it. It takes effort, budgets, people, and spiritual guidance to make it happen. However, if you
are able to effectively communicate your church and beliefs to everyone inside and outside of your
congregation, you will be in the best position to expand the Kingdom.
