Over the past three weeks, I have been a visitor to three different churches, and at each, I was struck by what their worship bulletin (program) told me about the congregation and its overall ministry.
Here are some questions to consider as you review your bulletin:
- Does your bulletin look historic or modern?- Visiting a traditional and historic church, it was no surprise that their bulletin looked out of date. It looked like the church had not updated their bulletin design since the 1980′s. In contrast one church’s bulletin had a more recent design, with colors, that conveyed a sense of life in the church.
- Does your bulletin have pictures and colors?- similar question, but a good one to consider as we increasingly live in a world defined by visual images.
- Is your bulletin easy to read?-This is more than just the size of your font. Hopefully the layout and flow of your bulletin is easy to read by visitors who will not be familiar with the rituals of your worship.
- Does your bulletin welcome visitors?- Certainly a welcome note is helpful, but does it help give instructions for people who are unfamiliar with when to stand, sit, sing, take communion, pray out loud, etc?
- Is more than half of your bulletin about the news of the church?- Some news and announcements can be good, but often churches overload the bulletin with information. This trend can make the bulletin hard to read and give a perception that the church is very busy.
- How many things are stuffed in your bulletin?- One church had a bulletin so full of items that all the inserts fell out on the floor as the usher passed it to me. Just a hint: No one likes confetti, or having to stop and pick up all the inserts when they are visiting a church.
- How many people are listed as participants in leading the service?- It can be helpful to list the names of ministers and staff in the bulletin, but often volunteers miss participating as an elder or deacon. All the subbing and misnaming can be confusing, and usually it is not required to list in the bulletin.
- Does your bulletin tell how to contact the church or minister?- Think of this as closing the deal. If someone visited the church, providing the contact information for the church allows them to follow up with a phone call or email if they are interested in learning more about the congregation.
- What is the overall message that your bulletin conveys?- While the above questions can be helpful, the best question you may ask, is to have a friend (who doesn’t attend your church) to give you their impression of looking at your bulletin.
Please know that while these questions may help you communicate better with visitors and worship participants, the real key to be welcoming of people as they enter the church’s property. Modifying your bulletin is only a technical change, but it can be a helpful way to consider how others see you for the first time.
Blog notes: Many churches use bulletins to assist members and visitors with following the flow of worship. However, as more and more churches move to digital and modern worship styles, many have stopped using of bulletins in favor of using a projector or tv. This shift also has implications, and will communicate a different type of message to visitors and participants. Using, or not using, bulletins also can have implications for how you communicate the general operations and ministry of the church.