I’m Having an Affair

Confession time: I’ve been unfaithful. I didn’t mean for it to happen … it just … happened.

My blog and I have simply grown apart. I can’t truthfully say that I don’t love my blog, I’ve simply been spending more and more time with Twitter. Twitter really understands me. Understands my short attention span; my need for constant attention; my insatiable desire for sticking my nose in other people’s business; strokes my ego and allows me to be someone I could only wish I were; and fulfills my longings for connecting with other like-minded church communicators smarter than me. Turns out that just about everyone I follow is far smarter than me … So I’m really lucky that way.

Anyway, if you twitter and we aren’t already following each other, click the fancy “Follow Me on Twitter” link to the left and let’s hook up and hang out online. I love the collaboration, conversation, and connection I’m getting from everyone there. You all are helping to make me more infinitely smarter than you could ever know.

Don’t misunderstand me. This blog isn’t going anywhere … we’re staying together. In fact, I’ll be giving some previews of some breakout session goodness slated to happen at this year’s MinistryCOM Conference coming up in September – IF the economy doesn’t put a damper on travel plans from Dallas to Chicago … a real threat right now.

Thanks for hangin’ with me. Twitter with you soon.

Deliver On Your Claims

I just had the pleasurable … unfortunate … experience of visiting … dealing with … a local auto repair shop, needing someone to repair my brake lights. I did some homework first, of course, checking out their website. I was specifically looking for two things: electrical expertise and open on Saturdays. There it was. They had both. So I threw on my ball cap and headed over.

Gary, my "highly trained" mechanic.

My online experience of the company was promising and positive. My in-person experience … was not. Here are a number of specific phrases used and promises made on their website and my subsequent assessment.

“When you want expert car repair … come to the best … we have highly trained on-site mechanics.” [FAIL] To be fair, they indeed performed auto repairs and did have an on-site mechanic … who arrived fifteen minutes late that morning. I know he was late because I arrived right as they were opening and the office manager – one of two people there at the time – reported that he was en route and would arrive shortly.

Let’s talk about Gary for a moment. In his mid-50s, Gary has been working on cars since he was 13. After spending nearly four hours myself on-site that Saturday morning “helping” him investigate the source of my problem, I’m convinced the new-fangled world of high-precision computerized vehicles has left him behind. But he could certainly chain smoke Pall Mall with the best of them and talk quite a bit about how well he could hold his liqueur. I would not, however, put him in the “highly trained” or “professional” category of specialists.

“[Name of Establishment] is considered a rare gem, an authentic jewel, among the throngs of auto repair businesses in the DFW area.” [FAIL] True, competition is fierce in a big city. What’s rare is the use of such stupid poetic language on a website to describe an auto repair shop. They were clearly neither a rare gem nor authentic jewel, but rather the embodiment of every stereotypical portrayal of hick-town grease monkeys you see in the movies.

“Secure on-site vehicle storage” [FAIL] During my visit into the office I noticed a small box in plain view containing a product called “Imitation Security Camera.” Enough said.

“Finally! An honest mechanic.” [PASS] I do believe, throughout the course of this five-day ordeal, that I was never lied to about costs nor misled to believe something that wasn’t true. In fact, I was able to save some money by going with used parts at half the cost of new ones. Overall, however, they were honestly slow, unskilled, and decidedly over-priced for the level of quality service they provide their customers.

“Why didn’t you just leave?” Because my car needed to be fixed just as those visiting our churches for the first time need God. I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and happened to regret that decision.

Using flowery language and making lofty claims on your website and printed materials do not make them true. Actions behind the words make them true. Deliver on your claims.

Radical Transformation, Part 2

It’s finally beginning. Amber waves of change are emerging from the Communications Ministry here at HPPC and folks are taking notice.

Below is our newly designed weekly email. Once a heavy, drab, text-driven email … now a crisp, clean, streamlined, graphic-rich email. Everything you once ignored has now become interesting and clickable. Hats off to Chris Davidson for the design and delivery. He’s now turning his focus toward a complete website re-design.

Just this past Sunday we also introduced an all-new, completely redesigned announcements insert to the congregation. Initial feedback is off the charts. Kudos to Zack House for that little piece of success (subject of the upcoming Part 3 of this series).

Penny Whistle Park Is Now a Nursery

The glory days of Penny Whistle Park

For an entire generation, Penny Whistle Park was a nostalgic indoor carnival/amusement park here in Dallas. Rides, games, food, all that. But now there’s a new generation that has no memory or knowledge of it. The building and property has since become a landscaper’s nursery. It’s been a nursery for years now.

Somewhere along the way, Penny Whistle Park lost something and never got it back. I’m guessing that while amusement parks changed and got more sophisticated, the owner(s) chose to cling to nostalgia. Expectations rose higher while Penny Whistle’s delivery on experience didn’t.

This is what Penny Whistle Park has become

This is a post not so much about change as it is about the shifting cloud of relevancy. Being relevant as a church, and remaining relevant, is a moving target. It’s something in constant motion that demands more time and energy … and money … than many (read: most) are willing and able to devote.

Did people in general suddenly lose their appetite for amusement? No. The amusement parks committed to reaching their audience advanced to meet the expectations of a new generation. Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ going to suddenly become untrue? No. The churches committed to reaching lost and “far from God” people will advance to meet a new generation where they are.

Mourning the loss of a beloved amusement park is one thing. Closing the doors of a church that lost its relevancy is quite another. Every day to and from work, I drive right by what used to be Penny Whistle Park … and remember what used to be.

Presenting at MinistryCOM 2009

It’s official. I am really excited to have been asked to present a breakout session at this year’s MinistryCOM Conference in Chicago, September 10-11.

If you are unfamiliar, MinistryCOM is “the only national organization dedicated to recognizing and supporting ministry communications professionals.” But it’s not only for churches. Many other ministries, non-profits, and parachurch organizations can benefit from the wealth of knowledge, information, networking opportunities, and resources available year-round.

What’s the topic of my breakout? Here the breakout description:

Advertising Doesn’t Work

Advertising is often a mysterious, intimidating, frustrating, and expensive notion. It’s been said that, “The most expensive form of advertising is the kind that doesn’t work.” The ugly truth is: Advertising doesn’t work. And it doesn’t matter whether it is television, radio, billboards, newspapers, phone books, online, or direct mail.

But there is good news: The whole truth is that it isn’t the advertising medium that’s working or not, it’s the offer you make that either succeeds or fails.

This session will begin with answering the all-important question, “Why advertise?” From that solid foundation, you will quickly learn how to build a framework of success for your advertising through real life dollars-and-common-sense examples and case studies. You will also learn that regardless of your budget, you can develop a winning strategy, minimize your risk, see results, and maximize your church’s impact in the community.

About the Presenter

Roland has a varied professional communications background spanning nearly 20 years in both secular corporate and Christian organizations. As a video producer, a portion of that time was with Bluefish TV. Roland’s marketing and advertising experience was gained in the radio business from his years as a Promotions Director in the DFW Metroplex for Christian Talk Radio KWRD 100.7 FM and KLTY 94.9 FM, “America’s No. 1 Christian Radio Station.”

Roland has since answered the call to “help the Church matter” leading people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. He has served as Director of Communications at Firewheel Church in Garland, Texas. He is now on staff as an Art Director at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas. Roland, his wife Beth, and three children live in Garland. A proud native Texan, he is anything but a redneck.

If you’re planning to attend MinistryCOM this year in the ‘Windy City,’ let me know (even if you don’t plan to attend my breakout). I’d love to connect. Keep in mind that Early Bird pricing ends in May. See you there.

Radical Transformation, Part 1

Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy … I can’t think of a better way to begin 2009 than to share, over a series of posts, how the HPPC Communications Ministry will be facilitating some radical transformations and rolling out some exciting strategies. Over the next few months, we will be implementing an aggressive plan (over a full year in the making) to enhance and improve a number of key areas.

Below is an excerpt from a memo from our Director of Communications, Jon Zellers, that went out in December introducing the plans to our staff. As the plans get underway, I will reveal more and more of them.

2009 is coming quickly and we wanted to provide an update on the upcoming changes in our ministry that will affect yours. As you read the categories below, you will notice that there are very few areas that will not be affected by the new strategy. The changes come from several sources, including staff and leadership meetings, consultants, communications staff experience and research and general best practices. A maximized and streamlined communications channel benefits everyone:

• Regular weekly space for each life stage (to coincide with new web site)
• Church-wide and Special opportunities listings for EM&O, Music, Stewardship
(Generosity), Personal Discipleship and Auxiliary Ministries
• Unified presentation; all ministries seen in context of the whole
• Increased visual appeal
• Increased user-friendliness
• Increased first time guests (visitors) friendliness
• Increased time to TELL THE STORIES

An updated publications procedures and schedule will be circulated soon. They will include the most recent summary of changes, timelines, and the new expectations and responsibilities.

I wish I could share more with you. But for now, I hope you look forward to following the progress on our multi-phase plan as much as we do. Please pray for us as we move forward. It’s going to be a LOT of long hours of hard work but the results, and ultimately the impact for the Kingdom, will be tremendous.

Can you tell I’m excited? It’s a great time to be alive and an active part of the vital changes occuring, and what God is already doing, here at HPPC. Happy New Year!

They Don’t Care

Had another great discussion recently about the obscene shortcomings of “awareness” campaigns. It seems like too many people are just stuck in thinking that the only thing their church needs is greater awareness in the community. “People just don’t know we’re here,” they lament.

I don’t buy it. I think most churches believe they have an “awareness” problem when they don’t. I’m convinced that more than plenty of folks surrounding the churches in our communities are well aware of our existence. The simply don’t care.

They don’t care because we haven’t given them any reason to care. When external church marketing and advertising tackles nothing more than “waving our arms” at people, we’ve wasted our time and money. Rather than engaging them in a remarkable, compelling story and giving them a chance to be a part of that story, we happily give them our service times and location. Then we sit back and play “here’s the church, here’s the steeple, open the doors, where’s all the people?”

The other important group of people who need to care most are our own members. If members aren’t naturally compelled to invite their family, friends, and coworkers into the church community, there’s a reason for that. They don’t care enough about the value the church provides to share it with anyone else. They also don’t care because we haven’t given them any reason to care.

By the way, most people won’t care about what YOU care about. But their interest will more than likely peak when they hear about what THEY care about. Identify those in your community and within your congregation. Then begin sending out that message.

They’ll visit your church for the first time when they care. They’ll begin a life-transforming relationship with Christ when they care. They’ll grow and mature as Christians. They’ll happily volunteer their time. They’ll cheerfully bring their tithe. They won’t be able to wait to share their faith and lead more people into the Kingdom … when they care.

The “Get It” Factor

A number of us in the HPPC Communications Ministry had lunch yesterday with Richard Reising and some of his crew at Artistry Marketing. The primary topic of conversation, of course, was church communications, growth, and ministry marketing.

As church communications professionals, we have an incredible responsibility for – and often critical role in – the health of the church. We asked Richard what he believed to be the biggest thing that contributes to church growth and health. His response? The “get it” factor.

Dr. Phil believes you either get it or you don’t. I tend to agree. From the Senior Pastor, to the rest of the entire staff, the “get it” factor is paramount. You’ve all simply gotta get it. Varying degrees of get-itness, or complete lack thereof, threaten to limit your focus, mission, and unique qualifications to fulfill your calling. It’s not enough for only a handful of low-profile members or staffers to get it. Everyone needs to get it.

Can one learn to get it if they don’t? I believe they can IF they’re willing to take an honest look at themselves, identify areas of inadequacies, and commit to making significant – sometimes painful – changes. Richard’s new blog [www.beyondrelevance.com] is an excellent resource for church leaders at every level.

By the way, Richard is working on a new book. I’m not at liberty to say what I know about it, but I can tell you that the working title is NOT “Purpose Driven … Anything,” “The Prayer of Richard,” or “Your Best Marketing Now.”

Forgive Me Bloggers For I Have Sinned

It’s been three weeks since my last post …

But y’know, I don’t like posting just for the sake of posting. I hope you can appreciate in me what I desire in other bloggers: value. I’m not looking for any more ways to get bogged down or clogged up. Give me something … some insight, some finding, some inspiration, some advice, some direction, some shared experience, a great story, a golden nugget … something useful I can use.

And give it to me fast. Please don’t drone on and on and on making me wade through endlessly bloated paragraphs filled with run-ons and misspellings. I love you, but please show a little respect and courtesy. Your “rants,” “ramblings,” and “whatevers” are incessantly uninteresting.

While I’m at it, isn’t that what we are in church communications/ministry marketing (CC/MM) to do? Both our current church members and first-time guests are wanting exactly that of us. While our pastors are tirelessly working to deliver engaging worship experiences, timely and relevant messages, inspiring and challenging environments, it’s our responsibility to skillfully manage the chaos, make sense of it all, minimize the clutter, maximize the impact, and communicate the message of the church effectively.

Forgive me bloggers … but our greatest value is not in the noise we add to the mix – more good design, more pretty paper, or bigger, flashier websites. Ironically, it is in what we strategically and intentionally remove from the noise. Shave it down, clean it up, relentlessly simplify, and ruthlessly exclude. Make it simple. Make it clear. Make it rock.

Listen closely to your congregation and first-time visitors. Listen closely and you’ll hear them say:

I’m not looking for any more ways to get bogged down or clogged up. Give me something of value … some insight, some finding, some inspiration, some advice, some direction, some shared experience, a great story, a golden nugget … something useful I can use.

And give it to me fast. Please don’t drone on and on and on making me wade through endlessly bloated paragraphs filled with run-ons and misspellings. I love you, but please show a little respect and courtesy. Your “rants,” “ramblings,” and “whatevers” are incessantly uninteresting.

We have the most important message anyone will ever hear. Too many people out there are living without Him … without a life of meaning, purpose, and mission because of a missing relationship with Jesus Christ. The stakes are too high and the cost is too great to coast through this sacred calling half-asleep.

“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to Him it is sin.”  – James 4:17

Please share you thoughts and join me in the pursuit of value. Comment here. Share a story, share your convictions, or simply say, “Count me in.”

Sierra’s Surgery

My blog posts have been a little sporadic recently, but our family has been a little pre-occupied the last few days. We’ve been taking care of our youngest child “Princess” Sierra (4) who had open-heart surgery to patch two holes and remove a muscle bundle.

I’m really happy to report that Sierra’s surgery on Tuesday was completely successful and she’s been recovering wonderfully at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Literally hundreds of people have been praying for us and we’ve felt every prayer enveloping and sustaining us. Beth and I both are eternally grateful for such wonderful friends, family, and coworkers who have surrounded and supported us through this experience.

God is truly a great God and we give Him all the praise, glory, and honor.

I Twittered pretty heavily on Tuesday and Wednesday reporting updates throughout the surgery and recovery. They can be found at either my @christianjava Twitter feed directly or an expanded version, with Facebook friend comments, over on my Facebook profile.

Sierra’s long-term prognosis is excellent. She’ll continue to be monitored, but we don’t expect to need any more surgeries or treatments.