Ekklesia 360

Are you on the edge of boredom or burnout? You know the old joke, “What’s the opposite of ennui?” The answer is the horrible pun, “off-we.” It’s important to keep focused on your job, but sometimes you just have to mix it up a little and find a new source for news and inspiration.

To help you avoid actual ennui and save you from any more of my sloppy French and dopey puns, we have eight recommendations and a bonus list. Hopefully, one or more of these resources will resonate with you and keep you inspired as you go about your daily tasks.

8 Inspiring Resources for You

1. Innovate for Jesus: (video series)

With topics like church unity and growing a life-giving church, I4J uses its video series to help communicators engage better with visuals and live-streaming events. The weekly episodes feature interesting guest speakers to help you keep up with news and industry growth that you can apply in your own church.

2. Church Marketing Podcast: (monthly podcast)

Dave Shrein and featured guests host this podcast to “offer practical tips and practices which other leaders can learn from and take back to their church or organizational teams.” Shrein is a pastor of media and communications at Mountain Park Community Church––so you’ll be sure to walk away with valuable, unique ideas on how you can market the brand and mission of your church. Subscribe with iTunes or an RSS so you never miss an episode.

3. Sounds Like a Movement: (podcast/workshop)

I love to think outside the box when it comes to learning––and that includes finding inspiration in many places. Some of the most well-known marketing and leadership names speak on Sounds Like a Movement: like Seth Godin and CJ Casciotta. Even television stars (like Arrested Development’s Tony Hale) come here to speak about topics like staying present, trusting your gut, and social generosity. Empower yourself to clarify your church’s message by subscribing to one of the most innovative resources out there.

4. #CMSchat (weekly Twitter chat)

Shake up the way you learn about church communications––with a Twitter chat! This fast-paced platform means you’ll be able to hear from (and chime in with) other church communicators out there. Steve Fogg and special guests host this chat every Thursday, and you can join from anywhere. Topics include recommendations for free ministry tools, church branding, email marketing, and strategy Q&As.

5. A List Apart: (web content magazine)

Your church website is a gathering place for your current and future members. It’s the central location for your sermon series, videos, photos, messages, and online giving. Don’t let your site slip through the cracks! A List Apart is a great place to learn about the best practices you’ll need to keep your website engaging, exciting, and inspiring for your members as they grow in faith. Contributing authors and guest bloggers keep the site updated daily.

6. “50 Great Church Websites of 2015” (inspirational list)

Seasoned painters know that when you need a muse, you should turn to the art that inspires you. And if you’re experiencing writers’ block, you should read something beautiful. So it makes sense that when you’re updating and growing your church website––you should play around on as many awesome examples as possible. Ekklesia 360 helped create this list because we know how helpful it can be to see how other churches are growing their message and brand online. See how others are prayerfully using websites to bring Jesus to their online audiences. 

7. Outspoken: Conversations on Church Communication (book)

Don’t underestimate the power of an actual book! While there are tons of social media chats, blogs, and video/audio resources out there, we can’t forget about this tangible way to learn. Tim Shraeder’s book uses insight from 60 leading ministry communications experts to teach you how to connect people with the gospel. You have a message, and this book will make sure it’s heard.

8. “How to Educate Pastors on the Importance of Church Communications” (in-depth blog post)

One of the main challenges we hear from the ministry communicators we work with is that you have trouble showing why your job is so indispensable. You know how your church resonates with the modernness of a website and the importance of investing in your graphic design and online tools––but does your head pastor? Justin Dean, writing in a post for I4J, walks you through exactly how to prove these things to a leader or team member who may not understand. Dean explains, in detail, how you can grow your role and ability to reach your members with your leadership’s honest, full support.