Ministry Messages Reaching Your Audiences?

Effective ministry marketing begins with understanding each audience. Not too long ago, people inside and outside the church respected what the church had to say. Today, there are at least five challenges that must be factored in as churches attempt to reach people of all walks of life in an impactful way. Today's goal is to build relationships that will, in turn, build trust and build the kingdom.

Generally speaking, audiences today are:
1) authority-indifferent
When communication is centered on meeting needs and meeting people where they are, they are more likely to pay attention. As they say, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Are your communications focused on the human need the church seeks to meet?
2) time-starved
Cultural experts remind us that the battle for Americans' disposable time is even more pitched than the battle for their disposable income, so give them real news, real fast. Use quick text messages, powerful email subject lines and visual messages on social media. 
3) living in a post-Christian world
Sunday is no longer a sacred day and today's audiences has no collective church consciousness, This means ministry messages cannot be distributed using church language, and the focus cannot always be only on Sunday activities. By placing sermons, podcasts and other truths online, people can seek for God at their convenience.
4) spiritually searching
What are life's questions and challenges that the church can address? Asking a probing question on Facebook or other forums allows an exchange that can foster trust and new friendships, as well as hope. People are motivated to know and be known. What are your communications doing to facilitate that goal?
5) diverse
People don't fit into neat categories anymore. Learn to be a spiritual friend with patience and a desire to understand other cultures and worship preferences. Recruit a diverse outreach team to be the face of the church. Tell stories of life change, as stories unite most everyone at the human level.

Effective ministry communication is people-centric. Take time to discover needs. Incorporate joy and hope -- the universal language of the human race. Make sure your ministry messages provide the "what's in it for me" answers.