Book of the Quarter

A couple of chapters in and I'm hooked - Wikinomics - how mass collaboration changes everything. Thanks Christopher Teeter! How will this apply to the church?

Thanks to Kem Meyer and Granger

Recently went with my team to a church communications workshop at Granger Community Church in South Bend. Very profitable day. Went along with some communications friends from Northview Christian Life in Carmel.

Main takeaway was an affirmation of some of what we're doing at Grace Community Church to 'still the noise' through more simple - and ultimately less - communications to hopefully cut through the mass of clutter that seems to bombard people.

Kem has a way of speaking to both the strategist and the practioner - very unusual and very, very helpful. She'll be at Ministry Com in Nashville if you're interested in hearing from her.

Book of the Day

Ok - book of the quarter, since that's about as often as I am currently availing myself to this new technology! Church Marketing 101 by Richard L. Reising. I haven't read the entire text yet, but love the subheading: 'A revolutionary Blend of Corporate Marketing Strategy and Biblical Wisdom.' For what it's worth...st

Any other bloggers out there

I'm investigating how best to incorporate blogging into the culture at Grace Community Church - are you a blogger or does anyone on your church staff blog? How's it going?

MinistryCom worth the trip

I recently heard it said that the amount of value you derive from something is equal to your experience minus your expectations.

For me, MinistryCom 2006 was of tremendous value – I experienced both challenging and affirming content, new networking relationships, and laughs – all beyond what I ever expected.

Scott’s Key Takeaways (for what they’re worth):

-I’m not alone in this role of Communications Director. Yes! There are lots of us out there, all
struggling with similar issues. And get this – I don’t have to know everything!! (not that I ever thought I did or could, but I do admit that I feel pressured to have answers most of the time) A good team of staff and volunteers though can usually flesh out a good solution to most situations. And when a fresh perspective could help or additional resources are needed, outsource!

-Ok – Here are a few one liners that sound really simple and you’re saying, ‘you had to go to Phoenix to figure that out?” – well, they just really hit me and I felt they were worth remembering. Perhaps as I repeat them to my staff, they’ll actually think I know what I’m talking about?!

“Craft messages for impact, not information”
“Say ‘Yes, and…’ Instead of ‘Yes, but…’ during creative brainstorming and watch how it shapes the conversation and ultimate result.

These next two are in reference to the use of technology – let’s just say I’m a late adapter on technology as I question its intrusion into the peace and solitude where one can more readily hear from God -

“The message is sacred, not the medium”
“Use technology as a supplement, not a substitute”
Hearing these two comments opened my ears to listen to how perhaps God would have us at GCC pick up the pace more on blogging and podcasting.

-Do we know who our target audience is? If not, have we at least had the discussion about whether or not we need to have a target audience or not? (Check out percept.info for excellent info on demographics)

-Interestingly enough, one of the best break-out sessions I attended was from Fishhook on how to keep creativity flowing. Should Fishhook offer this seminar in the future locally, seriously – it’s a must attend!