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Get Them Organizing & Functioning: Effective Public Relations

Church public relations is about creating awareness of church activities, both for the general public and church members.

Consider aspects of church activities that might interest local media.

Enhance current projects and activities to make them more appealing to the media.

Church Public Relations: Roles and Responsibilities

1. Identify public relations guidelines and church responsibilities to raise public

awareness and support membership development efforts.

2. Select and prepare team members to implement a church public relations plan.

— Review the list of church public relations responsibilities with participants.

— Ask participants to indicate whether the church currently fulfills each responsibility or whether the public relations committee will work to enable the church to do so.

— Ask participants to share strategies to meet each responsibility.

As church leaders, how can we promote positive public relations in our community?

_ Educate church members about their responsibility to promote public relations.

_ Develop and maintain relationships with representatives of local media.

_ Be aware of all church projects and activities and work to promote those that might appeal to local media and the general public.

_ Use the Internet to find sample news press releases, public relations outreach tips, and other PR tools.

How can church leaders help members fulfill these responsibilities?

_Use Press Release templates, and personalize them for our church.

_Create a church brochure and a fact sheet to present to potential members, the media, civic and community leaders or others who may be interested in joining the church.

_ Update and maintain the church Web site - www.theworshipcenter.org

In conjunction with a larger public relations campaign, a church Web site can be an effective means to publicize church activities and service initiatives.

_ Encourage members to wear their lapel pin in their professional capacity.

_ Encourage church members to tell non-members about the good work done by our church and churches around the world.

Church Public Relations: Roles and Responsibilities

Every Member can promote positive public relations by:

Being fully informed about the mission of the church and the church programs and activities.
Seeking opportunities to further the aims and accomplishments of the church through personal and professional contacts.

How can church leaders establish relationships with the media?

_ Bring news media representatives into the church as guests, and have the goal of them becoming members.

_ Develop awards for journalists.

_ Inform the media of newsworthy stories that relate to our church or members.

_ Invite Christian members of the news media to speak to the church about their professions.

_ Conduct discussion groups or seminars led by members and news media personnel.

What steps can The Worship Center take to establish relationships with media

representatives? Is the community well informed about our church’s projects?

_ To receive publicity for projects, we must first undertake meaningful projects that address real community needs.

_ We should sponsor a major community service activity each year.

_ Communicate often with our church leaders, particularly those responsible for projects and activities, to take advantage of public relations opportunities that may develop.

What basic steps should you take when preparing to work with the media?

_ Know the facts of the story you wish to promote.

_ Name your spokespeople.

_ Prepare fact sheets.

_ Write a news release.

_ Consult the Internet for media outreach ideas, press release templates, key church messages, and public relations tips.

What are the main types of media in our area?

_ Local newspapers and magazines

_ Local radio stations

_ Local television stations

What other types of media could promote the work of our church?

Types of Media

Online publications
Trade publications
Public access cable stations
Radio public affairs shows and talk radio
Newsletters of other community organizations

Has our church had success with one of these media sources?

The local media is of vital importance because of its ability to reach and influence opinion in the community the our church serves.
Match the story with the appropriate medium. For example, stories with a strong visual element may appeal to the local television station.
There is tremendous competition for media time and space. Be creative and consider alternatives to traditional media.

What characteristics should we consider when selecting a public relations team?

Team Member Characteristics

Prominent community members, including civic, academic, and business leaders
Professional media experience
Professional relationships with the media, including those who place advertisements with local media sources
Thorough knowledge of the church
Strong speaking skills, writing, or photography skills
Web site development experience

How can you give team members the knowledge necessary to do their job effectively?

Inform team members of the responsibilities associated with church public relations.
Give team members examples of past successful and unsuccessful public relations efforts. Discuss why those efforts did or didn’t work and how lessons can be applied to current efforts.

Church Public Relations: Roles and Responsibilities

Provide team members with a calendar of church and community events to facilitate planning.
Prepare a list of visitors who may be of interest to the local media. For example:

– Visiting Missionaries

– Musical guests

– Interesting speakers

Provide newer team members with background information on church activities and ongoing projects.
Pair new Members with more experienced ones.
Be knowledgeable about the resources available to your team.

How can you motivate team members?

— Create a sense of ownership by involving them in the planning process.

— Provide them with challenging tasks.

— Regularly acknowledge their efforts and accomplishments.

— Show that you value their input by asking for and incorporating their suggestions.

— Explain how their duties and tasks contribute to church, the body of Christ and their own personal growth and development.

1. Maintain positive news media relations.

2. Seek publicity for successful service projects and activities.

3. Use regional magazines, and other promotional tools and techniques to promote The Worship Center’s aims and accomplishments.

4. Encourage Members to inform their friends and associates about our church.

5. Cultivate the understanding of community leaders, young people, and other groups who should be aware of the church.

6. Take positive steps to prevent or correct any attitudes within the community that may harm our church’s reputation or limit its effectiveness.

7. Use public relations to enhance membership development efforts.

8. Goal: Obtain full representation of the news media in church membership.