Presentation by Carrie Gubsch at the 2012 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly as part of a workshop on communication. More on the workshops and the synod at http://semnsynod.org/assembly/workshops/

1. THE INTERACTIVE
CHURCH:
COMMUNICATION IN A DIGITAL
AGE
Carrie Gubsch
Christ the King Lutheran Church

2. Overview
 Why Does Digital Communication Matter?
 Communications 101
 Moving Beyond the Newsletter
 E-mail
 Websites
 SocialMedia/Blogs
 Things to Watch/Try
 More Resources

3. Communications 101
Don’ts
 Capslock
 Exclamation Points
 Excessive formatting techniques
 Jargon/Acronyms
Do’s
 Write like you would speak.
th th
 Write to a 5 grader, not like a 5 grader.

4. E-mail
E-mail is a great way to communicate with lots of
people efficiently and cost-effectively.
 Devotional by your pastor
 Events/information
 Photos/videos
 Links to relevant articles/things on your
website.

5. E-mail
 Know your audience. Give them things they
will read.
 KISS (Keep it simple and short.)
 Provide value- content your audience wants
and appreciates.
 Use a program that will help you avoid spam
labeling.
 Mail chimp
 Vertical Response
 Constant Contact

6. Facebook is not the Fax
Machine
 Value Ministry, not information.
 Treat Facebook like your living room. Not your
bulletin board.
 Share and interact. Share and interact. Share
and interact.
 Value content over conversation.

7. Facebook is not the Fax
Machine

8. Use What You Have
 Sermons
 Devotionals
 Photos
 Bulletins/Announcements
 Power Points
 Staff created blogs

9. You’re Not Alone
 You don’t have to create content yourselves!
 Livinglutheran.com
 Encourage through Biblical Words on Facebook
 Creationswap.com
 Luthersem.edu/godpause
 Lutheran/Christian Bloggers
– Jon Acuff
 Stuffchirstianslike.net
 Davidlose.net – Luther Seminary Prof. David Lose

10. You’re Not Alone
 You don’t have to create content yourselves!
 Livinglutheran.com
 Encourage through Biblical Words on Facebook
 Creationswap.com
 Luthersem.edu/godpause
 Lutheran/Christian Bloggers
– Jon Acuff
 Stuffchirstianslike.net
 Davidlose.net – Luther Seminary Prof. David Lose

11. Looking into the Future
How would your web strategy
change if everyone owned an
iPhone?
Start planning for that reality now.

12. There’s an App for That
Google reps predicts that by 2013 the desktop
computer

13. There’s an App for That
25 percent of Americans own smart phones today.
This number is expected to increase exponentially.

14. Be Creative
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4piapxaT0k

15. Resources
 Churchmarketingsucks.com
 justinwise.net
 prkeithanderson.net

16. Carrie Gubsch
carrie@lifeatctk.org
@cgubsch
facebook.com/carrie.gubsch
THE INTERACTIVE CHURCH:
COMMUNICATION IN A DIGITAL AGE