Seven Tips for Using a Blog to Amplify Church Outreach
In 2 Timothy 4:2, the apostle wrote: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season. This is a message about church outreach, and a blog is one modern avenue you should not overlook. Use a blog to share your outreach updates, give testimonials, and get your congregation inspired.
If you already have a church website, it is easy to start a blog there. To reach a greater level of membership, outreach, or our message, you need to go where folks are hanging out: online. Here are six basic things pastors should know about starting a blog and using it as a positive component in church outreach.
1. Ask for Divine Inspiration
Writing a blog post may seem daunting at first. But it is similar to writing your Sunday sermons, asking God to guide you to write the message your congregation needs to hear. Often, it is the simplest most heartfelt words that resound the most, and make people share your post.
2. Improved church outreach comes from the heart
It might be a struggle to come up with topics at first. But don’t get discouraged. Let your blogger “voice” be guided by your faith as you write. Do you want to educate with this post? Teach a lesson? Address an issue that has been on your mind and heart? Start with a personal story from your week, use reflections and thoughts that the Lord has brought to your mind. Use your blog as an avenue for opening up conversations with your church members.
3. Blog about ministry updates
If you are looking for donors or want to encourage the one you have to give more regularly, a blog is a good place to keep them updated. Your congregation might already know about the missions, but the blog can give statistics, highlight future goals and financial needs. Maybe you are planning a fundraiser. Showcasing your ministry and writing about it lets folks know you are personally involved and not just on call once a week.
1 Peter 3:15-16 – Be ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
4. Use personal stories (with discretion)
It is also possible to grow your readership by getting the audience involved and telling stories they can relate to. This is not the time to write about church gossip, of course, but an opportunity to share testimonies and lessons from your own members. Always ask permission first, use discretion and pseudonyms when crafting these blog posts. This kind of quality content and meaningful stories with spiritual lessons will draw your reader in.
5. Blog about current events, holidays, relevant themes
Schedule blog posts in advance or use digital tools to automate the posting. Keep the content relevant by planning around current events, themes, monthly festivals, or holidays. Any topics you know your congregation will be thinking a lot about during that time.
6. Promote your blog on social media
If your church has a social media page, link this to your blog to get shares and a wider audience. Make sure each of your blog posts are shareable and encourage readers to react and come back to your blog by cross-linking the social pages. If you include visuals and videos on your blog, these can also be easily shared and are more likely to attract.
7. Grow church outreach by directing folks to your blog
During the Sunday service or any meetings, always mention your blog and ask folks to read and share it. By getting them involved and asking questions, or leaving comments on your blog, you also have deeper insights into the minds of your congregation.
Blogging and podcasts are the new way to amplify church outreach
If the Biblical apostles had success by attending local events and festivals (remember the day of Pentecost?), then utilizing online resources and platforms like blogs will also guarantee your outreach success in a modern age of reaching the masses.
Remember: If your goal is to help people spiritually, you must first reach them where they are physical. Focus on writing blog articles that will inspire, motivate, and encourage them.
To give you more inspiration, here are a few more Scriptures on outreach and publications, to inspire your next blog posts:
Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that says unto Zion, Thy God reigns!
Jeremiah 1:7 – But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Mark 16:15 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Romans 10:14 – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Matthew 28:19 – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
1 Peter 2:9 – But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
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