Sue's Musings

Scott Vaughan talks church community strategy at Western Canada’s ChurchWorks ’08 Abbotsford, British Columbia – March 5, 2008 – Today’s church audiences and prospects are less interested in what the church is offering, and far more interested in why ministries and events are offered.

Speaking at ChurchWorks 2008, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Scott Vaughan, of Scott Vaughan Communications, LLC, said, “In church planning and promotion, we must start with some tough questions: Why are we organizing this ministry or event? How will it improve the lives of others? How will we see the reflection of Jesus in what we are doing? What are the benefits of this activity to our prospective audiences? What are we willing to change or give up to make it reality?

“I am not giving up an evening or weekend to attend something just because the church is doing it. I don’t have that kind of institutional loyalty,” Vaughan said. “Your planning and communication message must motivate me to ‘give up’ my personal interests at home, work or play in order to engage your church.”

Vaughan admits that its a selfish attitude on the part of consumers, but it’s a reality that the church must be willing to forgive. “And, when we attract them to our property and our ministries, we must engage them so lovingly and joyfully that they want to be a part of where God is working.”

Vaughan said too many church planning teams or committees are really planning for themselves and their friends – and that may not always translate into success.

This was an excerpt from a press release Scott Vaughan’s communcion e-newsletter.