The Church will develop an identity in our community

Strategies

Strategy #1: Establish a community process within the Church that will insure consistency and provide a clear identity in the community.

Specific result: Create a unique brand that reflects the mission statement and captures our overriding message to the community. Create and adopt a logo and brand-type (including a slogan that defines the Church and summarizes its mission statement).

b. Specific Result: Select target audiences and develop a systematic approach to getting message to target audiences. Select target audiences and develop a systematic approach to getting message out. Place ads in local newspapers ever week. Create an Invite-a-Friend Sunday worship event/open house. Create specialty items for use at events (t-shirts, posters, banners, flyers, mugs, etc.).

Strategy #2: Develop mechanisms to allow the Church to deliver its message to the community.

Specific Result: Establish an external communication budget to ensure community awareness. Research costs for selected media. Research costs for design and layout. Research costs for specialty items.

Create a variety of communication tools designed specifically to reach target audiences which may include brochures, ads, CD, etc. Determine number and type of tools needed. Determine purposes for type of tools needed. Determine specific message. Example we are in need of a church sign at the end of Cordell Hull on 111 that not only identifies our location but signifies our desire for others to come worship with us.

Create a display booth or other street level presence to deliver our message, which can be used in community events and festivals. Develop a display. Set up a system for checking the display out and returning it. Develop guidelines for including printed materials with the display.

Strategy #3: Engage the congregation in revealing the Church identity to the community.

Specific Results: Educate the congregation regarding the church brand during worship services and other events. Develop a PowerPoint presentation to run before services. Identify a spokesperson to develop and deliver a "Mission Moment" regarding the brand. Develop a bulletin insert Upgrade the weekly bulletin to reflect the vision statement.

Create and train volunteers including youth and adults to help deliver our message. Identify people within the church that have contact with the community such as bread delivers, greeters, ushers, new members ministry, etc. Develop a brief training program or handouts - use new member booklet. Develop a bulletin insert. Establish list of individuals willing to go out into the community to speak on behalf of the Church. Develop a mechanism to continue training as new people come into program.

Improve promotion of existing events and programs. Identify all activities that would require additional promotion and would further our identity in the community. Follow established process developed under Strategy 1 to ensure consistency in promotion of existing events and programs. Follow the guidelines developed under Strategy 2 to deliver the message to the community. Develop PowerPoint Slides to project before Church service starts to make congregation aware of upcoming events.