Communications Resources
Need help in organizing a communications plan for your church? Listed below are documents you can download and links to online resources that can assist with communications ministries in your church. Resources include handouts on "Best Practices" compiled by the Virginia Conference Communications Board, communications training resources, copyright information and resources for website design and hosting. For more information, contact Madeline Pillow at 1-800-768-6040, ext. 113, or (804) 521-1113; e-mail MadelinePillow@vaumc.org
Best Practices for...
Click here to download a guide to best practices for your local church including...
Church Communications
Blogging
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Web Hosting and Web Design
Snapchat
Church emails and marketing
Instagram
Texting
Training
Crisis Communications
Click here to download PowerPoint presentation used by Linda Rhodes, former conference director of Communications, in training about how to handle media relations in a crisis situation.
Looking Good in Print
Click here to download PowerPoint presentation used by Linda Rhodes, former conference director of Communications, in training about producing attractive and informative newsletters and other printed communications materials.
Marketing is Evangelism
Click here to download PowerPoint presentation used by Linda Rhodes, former conference director of Communications, in training about ways to use marketing techniques as evangelism tools to reach out to the unchurched seekers in your community.
How Come Nobody Told Me?
Click here to download PowerPoint presentation used by Linda Rhodes, former conference director of Communications, in training about local church internal communications.
UMCom Communications Training — Click here for Church Communications Training resources from United Methodist Communications
Copyright
Copyright information — For Copyright 101, including "Counting Down the Top Ten Myths of Church Music Copyright" from the General Board of Discipleship, go to http://www.gbod.org/lead-your-church/copyright-licensing
Local church websites
The Virginia Conference does not offer website hosting services.
Website hosting, development from UMCom — United Methodist Communications (UMCom) offers website hosting and development services which are built on WordPress and include various affordable plans. Visit www.umcchurches.org to find out more or call 1-888-346-3862. Basically, there are three plans offered – only one is completely free. Go to www.umcchurches.org to see the three plans and pricing.
Discounted software and hardware — Through its online Tech Shop, UMCom offers software, hardware and Web solutions at discounted prices for United Methodist churches and ministries. Click here for more information. The following website development software is featured:
E-zekiel — UMCom offers, through a partnership with Praktikos Technologies, website designs and hosting to United Methodist churches and organizations at significantly reduced cost. The "E-Zekiel" Web solution creates high-quality websites with no technical expertise. Visit www.UMC.E-Zekiel.com for more information. Church webmasters have a choice of more than 250 website templates — high quality graphical designs that give a website its look and feel. Content is added through a Web interface that operates like a simple word processor. Other than a computer and access to the Internet, no software or technical skills are required.
OurChurch.Com — OurChurch.Com is a website design provider for United Methodist churches. Services include website design and creation, and also getting your website top 10 search engine rankings so those looking for a church in your community are able to easily find you. The partnership between OurChurch.Com and The United Methodist Church means that as a United Methodist church or ministry you are entitled to exclusive discounts, services, and design options. For more information, visit http://umc.ourchurch.com.
Online web ministry training — Click here for information about customized, instructor-led online courses for building a dynamic website for your church.
Your Church Website: Rethinking Your New Front Door
This online course will cover the basics of creating your church website. However, this course also looks at going beyond just having a church website focusing on how to effectively implement a broader online presence. By engaging your audience online first, you extend your reach beyond Sunday services and expose your audience to your message before they visit your church. Cost is $89.99. Click here for more information.