The use of communication tools like a website and social media have become increasingly important to congregations. Reaching those in your community through these digital means can not only help lead people to you congregation’s door on Sunday mornings but more importantly be a vehicle to showcase community outreach programs that are available through your church.
This page is dedicated to assisting with many aspects of communications surrounding the life of the church. They represent some “best practices” that we have seen but are not necessarily policies that have been adopted by the Synod of the Trinity. These resources have been gathered through different entities associated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denomination as well as other outlets.
STRATEGY
Creating a Communication Plan for Churches
Strategic Communications Planning
Designing a Church Website
Resources for church communications in the digital age
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS PLANS
‘Before the Crisis & How to Calm the Storm’
Local Church Crisis Communications Sample Plan & Template (from United Methodist Communications)
PREVENT ONLINE SCAMS
5 Tips to Protecting Yourself from Increasing Phishing Scams
Phishing Scams Targeting Pastors: Who’s Next?
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES
Sample Social Media Policy
Photo and Video Release Form (Word and PDF versions)
Social Media, Email and Internet Policy (Presbytery of Donegal)
Social Media Information (Presbytery of Cincinnati)
Social Media Policy (Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery)
Social Media Guidelines (Flint River Presbytery, GA)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Generative Artificial Intelligence for Churches: Managing Risk and Policy Development
PHOTO ARCHIVES
Pixabay
Google Advanced Image Search
Creation Swap
Morguefile
Wikimedia Commons
Flickr
Free Images
Fotosearch
Pixnio-Public Domain Images
Stock Photos for Free
Free Range
StockVault
Getty Images (pay site)
ONLINE MEDIA EDITING
LunaPic (free online photo editor)
VIDEO ARCHIVES
WingClips
WALK-THROUGH ANALYSIS
Use this checklist to see if your church property passes the test
NEWSLETTERS AND PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
Webinar: Creating effective church newsletters (Presbyterian Mission Agency Communications)
Create flyers, posters, business cards, letterhead, etc. on Canva.com
Checklist for Successful Newsletters
Event Promotion Planning Checklist
Designing a Tri-Fold Brochure
Designing Flyers