Last week we asked about the importance of the old standby in church communication, the bulletin. Half said the bulletin is helpful, but it’s not everything. 28% said it was very important and 14% said it was a waste of paper.
The bottom line is that it is an important component in how a church communicates. It’s likely the one thing visitors and members will take home with them. While it doesn’t tell the whole story, it does speak volumes. For more on church bulletins, check out some of our recent polls as well as the discussions in the Church Marketing Lab.
This week we want to know if you’re keeping up with the ‘heart and soul’ series. When you’re baring your soul it helps to know if people are listening.
Ryan Imel
August 28, 2006
It seems to me that bulletins are a must in most church communities anymore – the first thing that comes to mind is that visitors (especially) would feel uncomfortable if it weren’t for having something to hold/keep themselves busy with. It can be awkward stepping into any sort of new situation – especially church – and it always helps to have something in hand.
Actually, though, I’d be interested in hearing the argument from someone who thinks bulletins are a waste of paper – why?
Robin Munn
August 29, 2006
My home church has a liturgical worship style, and the liturgy for the day, including the lyrics to all the songs we’re going to sing, is printed in the bulletin. So there, the bulletin is clearly important.
I’ve been in churches where the bulletin was little more than a weekly-announcements sheet, on the other hand, and I never paid it nearly as much attention.
So I guess the bulletin’s importance (both real and perceived) really depends on how it’s being used in any given church.
Antoine of MMM
August 30, 2006
Personally, I can do without a physical paper announcement. I’d prefer if it were able to be downloaded to my PDA during service in one mass greeting/announcemnt/get bulleting time. For me, I don’t take anything but my PDA (keys and wallet) into church, and that extra paper is many times of no use.
That is not to say that it should be done away with, only that it should be optional to receive the paper bulletin, and then provisions made on websties (and via mobile devices) for those who can do withuot the paper, or who need it in a more accessible (to them) means.
If you don’t mind, I linked to this article at my webstie. This and another story sparked my mind a bit as to how to get IT folks more involved with church function.