This is a Guest Post by Nate Beaird.

Every church, big or small, young or old, has the ability to start or grow an existing media department. That’s a pretty bold statement, huh? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s true, and in the next few posts, I’m going to give you practical steps to actually do it!

As the church, we’ve been commanded to “Go into all the world” to spread the Gospel.  Your marketing is part of this cause.  Whether you’re trying to get your sermons out there to help people that normally would not darken the doors of a church, or trying to get people to come to a special event– you will use print, video, and/or web media to do it.

Step 1: Focus

Decide your focus.

This is especially important before you start a new (or refocus) your church media department, because it will determine what equipment/software you’ll pursue. Also, it will help keep you “on course” when debating equipment, software, or marketing ideas in the future.

There might be a great idea, but if it’s not conducive to your focus– it needs to be dropped.  Also, it will help you make hard purchasing decisions regarding the equipment/software in the future.  “Computer A” may be more expensive than “Computer B,” but “Computer B” has what you need to fulfill the vision of your media department.  We’ll talk later about the possibilities for raising funds for this new venture later.

Take a time-out, talk with your pastor about his or her vision for the church. This will help guide your focus. Ask questions like;

• “Will this department be a valued source of our outreach?”
• “Where are we now, and where do we want to be?”
  and
• “Is this ministry specifically for our community, or will we put an equal amount of effort on the global stage?”

These types of questions will guide your focus.  Narrowing your focus can substantially stretch your dollars, as well as your impact.  The rest of the steps we talk about later are meaningless unless you find your focus! Well, what are you waiting for!?

[Image from Margolove]