Where to Start With Communications for Your Church | Sarah Robison

[Music] [Music] i meet regularly with some someone who i meet regularly with some someone who i meet regularly with some someone who is in charge of communications for each is in charge of communications for each is in charge of communications for each of our different environments so our of our different environments so our of our different environments so our preschool environment our middle school preschool environment our middle school preschool environment our middle school environment our environment our environment our production environment all there's a production environment all there's a production environment all there's a representative from every environment representative from every environment representative from every environment it's about 10 people and we meet it's about 10 people and we meet it's about 10 people and we meet regularly and they come they come in regularly and they come they come in regularly and they come they come in with hey here's what we are with hey here's what we are with hey here's what we are communicating in our individual communicating in our individual communicating in our individual department and what we're focused on department and what we're focused on department and what we're focused on so i get to hear from all of them about so i get to hear from all of them about so i get to hear from all of them about their communication priorities and what their communication priorities and what their communication priorities and what they're focused on right then but then i they're focused on right then but then i they're focused on right then but then i come into it with the broader sense of come into it with the broader sense of come into it with the broader sense of hey as a whole church how does this line hey as a whole church how does this line hey as a whole church how does this line up up up i want to make sure we're not going to i want to make sure we're not going to i want to make sure we're not going to be like bombarding people in our church be like bombarding people in our church be like bombarding people in our church with communication you know with communication you know with communication you know all at the same time about different all at the same time about different all at the same time about different messages and things like that so i kind messages and things like that so i kind messages and things like that so i kind of come in with that broader um of come in with that broader um of come in with that broader um perspective of what we're doing as a perspective of what we're doing as a perspective of what we're doing as a whole church whole church whole church welcome to today's episode of the welcome to today's episode of the welcome to today's episode of the missional marketing podcast my name is missional marketing podcast my name is missional marketing podcast my name is bart blair i'm a coach additional bart blair i'm a coach additional bart blair i'm a coach additional marketing and i'm joined by the ceo and marketing and i'm joined by the ceo and marketing and i'm joined by the ceo and another coach additional marketing jason another coach additional marketing jason another coach additional marketing jason hamrock we are your hosts of the mission hamrock we are your hosts of the mission hamrock we are your hosts of the mission to marketing podcast and um if you're to marketing podcast and um if you're to marketing podcast and um if you're new to the show thanks for tuning in if new to the show thanks for tuning in if new to the show thanks for tuning in if you're not new to the show well thanks you're not new to the show well thanks you're not new to the show well thanks for coming back uh we really appreciate for coming back uh we really appreciate for coming back uh we really appreciate you tuning in our goal is to help your you tuning in our goal is to help your you tuning in our goal is to help your church grow by leveraging digital church grow by leveraging digital church grow by leveraging digital marketing and effective communications marketing and effective communications marketing and effective communications and uh so today uh we're actually gonna and uh so today uh we're actually gonna and uh so today uh we're actually gonna be talking specifically about church be talking specifically about church be talking specifically about church communications jason why don't you communications jason why don't you communications jason why don't you introduce today's guest i'd love to yeah introduce today's guest i'd love to yeah introduce today's guest i'd love to yeah this is always near and dear to my heart this is always near and dear to my heart this is always near and dear to my heart because i'm a former communication because i'm a former communication because i'm a former communication director and um i think if you're a

director and um i think if you're a director and um i think if you're a full-time staff communication director full-time staff communication director full-time staff communication director part-time staff volunteer whatever role part-time staff volunteer whatever role part-time staff volunteer whatever role you're in we can always learn from one you're in we can always learn from one you're in we can always learn from one another and so today we have sarah another and so today we have sarah another and so today we have sarah roberts robson robson it's not the r roberts robson robson it's not the r roberts robson robson it's not the r it's there's no in on there there's it's there's no in on there there's it's there's no in on there there's sarah sarah sarah roberts today but sarah is the communication today but sarah is the communication director at gwyneth church director at gwyneth church director at gwyneth church that's a big big church outside of that's a big big church outside of that's a big big church outside of atlanta they're part of north point atlanta they're part of north point atlanta they're part of north point ministries so andy stanley's thing sarah ministries so andy stanley's thing sarah ministries so andy stanley's thing sarah gets to be the communication director gets to be the communication director gets to be the communication director and she's actually pioneering that and she's actually pioneering that and she's actually pioneering that department she's been with the church department she's been with the church department she's been with the church for a little while but they never really for a little while but they never really for a little while but they never really had a communication director she stepped had a communication director she stepped had a communication director she stepped in that role and i really appreciate the in that role and i really appreciate the in that role and i really appreciate the uh approach that she's taken to connect uh approach that she's taken to connect uh approach that she's taken to connect with all the ministries and implement a with all the ministries and implement a with all the ministries and implement a communications communications communications system the communications department at system the communications department at system the communications department at going to church and so we kind of unpack going to church and so we kind of unpack going to church and so we kind of unpack that today we dive in and you're gonna that today we dive in and you're gonna that today we dive in and you're gonna learn a lot from sarah i was you know learn a lot from sarah i was you know learn a lot from sarah i was you know totally surprised to hear as we got into totally surprised to hear as we got into totally surprised to hear as we got into the conversation that she's pioneering the conversation that she's pioneering the conversation that she's pioneering this communications department some of this communications department some of this communications department some of our listeners might actually be familiar our listeners might actually be familiar our listeners might actually be familiar with gwinnett because when that was that with gwinnett because when that was that with gwinnett because when that was that church that kind of pioneered that for church that kind of pioneered that for church that kind of pioneered that for gwinnett movement and that really gwinnett movement and that really gwinnett movement and that really churches all around the the country churches all around the the country churches all around the the country started doing that we're for our city my started doing that we're for our city my started doing that we're for our city my church has bumper stickers that says for church has bumper stickers that says for church has bumper stickers that says for mckinney and you might have for boston mckinney and you might have for boston mckinney and you might have for boston or what have you and this is going back or what have you and this is going back or what have you and this is going back i don't know six or eight years ago the i don't know six or eight years ago the i don't know six or eight years ago the the church is only about 10 years old i the church is only about 10 years old i the church is only about 10 years old i think um but they did all that you know think um but they did all that you know think um but they did all that you know organically years and years ago now they

organically years and years ago now they organically years and years ago now they actually are developing an intentional actually are developing an intentional actually are developing an intentional communication strategy with a very communication strategy with a very communication strategy with a very talented communications director and we talented communications director and we talented communications director and we think that what sarah shares with us in think that what sarah shares with us in think that what sarah shares with us in this podcast is going to be really this podcast is going to be really this podcast is going to be really helpful for those of you who are helpful for those of you who are helpful for those of you who are listening especially those of you who listening especially those of you who listening especially those of you who are just trying to figure out how to are just trying to figure out how to are just trying to figure out how to build a communications team build a build a communications team build a build a communications team build a department learn how to sit in the role department learn how to sit in the role department learn how to sit in the role of being a communications director and of being a communications director and of being a communications director and work with all the various staff that you work with all the various staff that you work with all the various staff that you might have in your church so might have in your church so might have in your church so we are hopeful confident that you're we are hopeful confident that you're we are hopeful confident that you're going to learn something new today from going to learn something new today from going to learn something new today from this conversation we hope that you're this conversation we hope that you're this conversation we hope that you're learning new things every time you tune learning new things every time you tune learning new things every time you tune into the podcast and if you do into the podcast and if you do into the podcast and if you do appreciate what we do if this is appreciate what we do if this is appreciate what we do if this is valuable to you it would be really valuable to you it would be really valuable to you it would be really valuable to us if you would leave us a valuable to us if you would leave us a valuable to us if you would leave us a rating and a review it helps more people rating and a review it helps more people rating and a review it helps more people find the podcast on the different find the podcast on the different find the podcast on the different platforms where people listen and watch platforms where people listen and watch platforms where people listen and watch podcasts podcasts podcasts and if you haven't subscribed make sure and if you haven't subscribed make sure and if you haven't subscribed make sure that you do that that way you don't miss that you do that that way you don't miss that you do that that way you don't miss any of the other awesome upcoming any of the other awesome upcoming any of the other awesome upcoming episodes that we have planned for you um episodes that we have planned for you um episodes that we have planned for you um i'm bart this is jason again we i'm bart this is jason again we i'm bart this is jason again we appreciate you tuning in to the show appreciate you tuning in to the show appreciate you tuning in to the show today and without any further delay today and without any further delay today and without any further delay here's our interview with sarah robinson here's our interview with sarah robinson here's our interview with sarah robinson from gwinnett church from gwinnett church from gwinnett church hey sarah robison thanks so much for hey sarah robison thanks so much for hey sarah robison thanks so much for joining jason me on the show today we're joining jason me on the show today we're joining jason me on the show today we're glad to have you as our guest glad to have you as our guest glad to have you as our guest thanks so much i'm happy to be here thanks so much i'm happy to be here thanks so much i'm happy to be here thanks for asking me thanks for asking me thanks for asking me hey so uh what we love to do uh when we hey so uh what we love to do uh when we hey so uh what we love to do uh when we start out this podcast is just have our start out this podcast is just have our start out this podcast is just have our guests share a little bit about about guests share a little bit about about guests share a little bit about about their story their background so um we their story their background so um we their story their background so um we don't really know you very well in fact don't really know you very well in fact don't really know you very well in fact we were just kind of getting acquainted we were just kind of getting acquainted we were just kind of getting acquainted before we uh started recording and i

before we uh started recording and i before we uh started recording and i said wait we're not going to learn all said wait we're not going to learn all said wait we're not going to learn all about sarah until we start recording so about sarah until we start recording so about sarah until we start recording so we can get all the good stuff so why we can get all the good stuff so why we can get all the good stuff so why don't you share a little bit about your don't you share a little bit about your don't you share a little bit about your background uh how you got into ministry background uh how you got into ministry background uh how you got into ministry what kind of work you've done maybe what kind of work you've done maybe what kind of work you've done maybe before ministry or during ministry and before ministry or during ministry and before ministry or during ministry and how you ended up at gwinnett and then how you ended up at gwinnett and then how you ended up at gwinnett and then we'll talk a little bit about the church we'll talk a little bit about the church we'll talk a little bit about the church itself itself itself sure sure sure um well i have been at gwinnett church um well i have been at gwinnett church um well i have been at gwinnett church since 2018 but before that i was working since 2018 but before that i was working since 2018 but before that i was working at a church in pittsburgh for several at a church in pittsburgh for several at a church in pittsburgh for several years um in a similar communications years um in a similar communications years um in a similar communications role i'm from pittsburgh so role i'm from pittsburgh so role i'm from pittsburgh so atlanta where uh where i am now is the atlanta where uh where i am now is the atlanta where uh where i am now is the only other place i've lived besides only other place i've lived besides only other place i've lived besides pittsburgh but still a big steelers fan pittsburgh but still a big steelers fan pittsburgh but still a big steelers fan didn't work out for me last year but i'm didn't work out for me last year but i'm didn't work out for me last year but i'm hanging in there hanging in there hanging in there but i worked like i said in a similar but i worked like i said in a similar but i worked like i said in a similar role at a different church in pittsburgh role at a different church in pittsburgh role at a different church in pittsburgh in communications for about five years in communications for about five years in communications for about five years before i moved down here before i moved down here before i moved down here ministry was not what i thought i was ministry was not what i thought i was ministry was not what i thought i was going to be doing for my career um i going to be doing for my career um i going to be doing for my career um i went to college for went to college for went to college for advertising and marketing and i've advertising and marketing and i've advertising and marketing and i've always loved that i love the always loved that i love the always loved that i love the messaging and the psychology of it and messaging and the psychology of it and messaging and the psychology of it and that sort of thing that sort of thing that sort of thing and i ended up actually working at a and i ended up actually working at a and i ended up actually working at a church while i was in college to help me church while i was in college to help me church while i was in college to help me kind of get through paying for that um kind of get through paying for that um kind of get through paying for that um and while i was there i just kind of and while i was there i just kind of and while i was there i just kind of learned well i really care about what learned well i really care about what learned well i really care about what we're doing i care about we're doing i care about we're doing i care about the work of ministry and just have been the work of ministry and just have been the work of ministry and just have been really fortunate to find how really fortunate to find how really fortunate to find how my my my abilities and just my interest in abilities and just my interest in abilities and just my interest in messaging and marketing and that sort of messaging and marketing and that sort of messaging and marketing and that sort of thing can be applied to the church world thing can be applied to the church world thing can be applied to the church world and so and so and so i'm i'm i'm very grateful that i've had several

very grateful that i've had several very grateful that i've had several opportunities to work in communications opportunities to work in communications opportunities to work in communications within the context of ministry because within the context of ministry because within the context of ministry because there are two things that i love that there are two things that i love that there are two things that i love that just got to be combined so just got to be combined so just got to be combined so but like i said i've been at gwinnett but like i said i've been at gwinnett but like i said i've been at gwinnett since 2018 now since 2018 now since 2018 now and i came here for a different job that and i came here for a different job that and i came here for a different job that was not communications at all but wanted was not communications at all but wanted was not communications at all but wanted to be part of gwinnett church and so to be part of gwinnett church and so to be part of gwinnett church and so when there was an opportunity i moved when there was an opportunity i moved when there was an opportunity i moved down here and started that and then down here and started that and then down here and started that and then about a year and a half in i started to about a year and a half in i started to about a year and a half in i started to take on some responsibilities in the take on some responsibilities in the take on some responsibilities in the context of communications here um and context of communications here um and context of communications here um and then it just grew into uh my full-time then it just grew into uh my full-time then it just grew into uh my full-time role so that's what i'm doing now did role so that's what i'm doing now did role so that's what i'm doing now did did they not have a communications did they not have a communications did they not have a communications director before you director before you director before you they did not i'm the first one wow wow they did not i'm the first one wow wow they did not i'm the first one wow wow so you got to pioneer so you got to pioneer so you got to pioneer the position you're still pioneering in the position you're still pioneering in the position you're still pioneering in fact yeah you're still struggling yes fact yeah you're still struggling yes fact yeah you're still struggling yes yeah we're going to unravel that a yeah we're going to unravel that a yeah we're going to unravel that a little bit here in just a minute i have little bit here in just a minute i have little bit here in just a minute i have a question though so when you went into a question though so when you went into a question though so when you went into school and you're studying marketing and school and you're studying marketing and school and you're studying marketing and and that was the direction that you were and that was the direction that you were and that was the direction that you were headed what did you think you were going headed what did you think you were going headed what did you think you were going to end up doing like what was before you to end up doing like what was before you to end up doing like what was before you realized that ministry was your call realized that ministry was your call realized that ministry was your call what was your dream what was your dream what was your dream [Music] [Music] [Music] uh i kind of thought i would just end up uh i kind of thought i would just end up uh i kind of thought i would just end up probably at like a marketing agency uh probably at like a marketing agency uh probably at like a marketing agency uh something like that i really love something like that i really love something like that i really love writing writing writing i've always loved writing so i thought i've always loved writing so i thought i've always loved writing so i thought i'll probably end up something in i'll probably end up something in i'll probably end up something in copywriting or you know something like copywriting or you know something like copywriting or you know something like that for an agency but i just didn't that for an agency but i just didn't that for an agency but i just didn't think it was going to be at a church and think it was going to be at a church and think it was going to be at a church and then found out oh i care about this so then found out oh i care about this so then found out oh i care about this so thankfully i kind of get to do that at a thankfully i kind of get to do that at a thankfully i kind of get to do that at a church church church okay all right that's awesome well tell okay all right that's awesome well tell okay all right that's awesome well tell us a little bit about gwynette and i

us a little bit about gwynette and i us a little bit about gwynette and i mean you said you moved there to do mean you said you moved there to do mean you said you moved there to do something different than what you're something different than what you're something different than what you're doing now doing now doing now there are probably a lot of people there are probably a lot of people there are probably a lot of people listening to our podcasts that are maybe listening to our podcasts that are maybe listening to our podcasts that are maybe familiar with with gwinnett um it's it's familiar with with gwinnett um it's it's familiar with with gwinnett um it's it's a a church with a great reputation and a a church with a great reputation and a a church with a great reputation and has has been known for some things um has has been known for some things um has has been known for some things um you obviously wanted to go there you you obviously wanted to go there you you obviously wanted to go there you want to relocate from pittsburgh to want to relocate from pittsburgh to want to relocate from pittsburgh to atlanta which atlanta which atlanta which i it's a very interesting very i it's a very interesting very i it's a very interesting very interesting move what was it about the interesting move what was it about the interesting move what was it about the church that attracted you there and then church that attracted you there and then church that attracted you there and then just kind of give our our audience a bit just kind of give our our audience a bit just kind of give our our audience a bit of an overview what the church is all of an overview what the church is all of an overview what the church is all about about about yeah um so when at church is just yeah um so when at church is just yeah um so when at church is just outside of atlanta the church has been outside of atlanta the church has been outside of atlanta the church has been here for about just a little over 10 here for about just a little over 10 here for about just a little over 10 years now but we are connected to north years now but we are connected to north years now but we are connected to north point community church so andy stanley point community church so andy stanley point community church so andy stanley is our founding pastor um and we're part is our founding pastor um and we're part is our founding pastor um and we're part of a whole network of churches now of a whole network of churches now of a whole network of churches now around the atlanta area around the atlanta area around the atlanta area but i actually worked for um the church but i actually worked for um the church but i actually worked for um the church i worked for in pittsburgh was it's i worked for in pittsburgh was it's i worked for in pittsburgh was it's called a network church um and so it's called a network church um and so it's called a network church um and so it's very similar it's the same it's the same very similar it's the same it's the same very similar it's the same it's the same structure the same model same way of structure the same model same way of structure the same model same way of doing church as what we're doing at doing church as what we're doing at doing church as what we're doing at gwinnett and north point that sort of gwinnett and north point that sort of gwinnett and north point that sort of thing thing thing so basically it's just so basically it's just so basically it's just these network churches basically say hey these network churches basically say hey these network churches basically say hey we want to do church the same way and so we want to do church the same way and so we want to do church the same way and so they get to implement a lot of the same they get to implement a lot of the same they get to implement a lot of the same structures where they are so i was part structures where they are so i was part structures where they are so i was part of a church like that in pittsburgh of a church like that in pittsburgh of a church like that in pittsburgh and through that connection that we had and through that connection that we had and through that connection that we had to to north point these churches in to to north point these churches in to to north point these churches in atlanta um i used to just come down here atlanta um i used to just come down here atlanta um i used to just come down here every now and then just to learn from every now and then just to learn from every now and then just to learn from what north point and gwinnett were doing what north point and gwinnett were doing what north point and gwinnett were doing and some other churches and some other churches and some other churches i would come spend a sunday morning here i would come spend a sunday morning here i would come spend a sunday morning here and just observe and hang out with

and just observe and hang out with and just observe and hang out with people just to see hey what does this people just to see hey what does this people just to see hey what does this look like here so i could learn some look like here so i could learn some look like here so i could learn some things and take it back to our church in things and take it back to our church in things and take it back to our church in pittsburgh pittsburgh pittsburgh and and and interestingly enough my very first time interestingly enough my very first time interestingly enough my very first time at gwinnett church which was about eight at gwinnett church which was about eight at gwinnett church which was about eight years ago now years ago now years ago now i came just to learn and observe and i came just to learn and observe and i came just to learn and observe and when i left that day i thought i think i when i left that day i thought i think i when i left that day i thought i think i want to be part of this there's just want to be part of this there's just want to be part of this there's just something really special about this something really special about this something really special about this place and i didn't come down here with place and i didn't come down here with place and i didn't come down here with that objective in mind at all i just that objective in mind at all i just that objective in mind at all i just came to observe like i said um but there came to observe like i said um but there came to observe like i said um but there really is something special about really is something special about really is something special about gwinnett people say that a lot um gwinnett people say that a lot um gwinnett people say that a lot um and i think it really is and i think it really is and i think it really is because we because we because we it feels like a family here it feels it feels like a family here it feels it feels like a family here it feels like family being on staff but it feels like family being on staff but it feels like family being on staff but it feels like family i think once you just step like family i think once you just step like family i think once you just step on the campus there's just something on the campus there's just something on the campus there's just something very familiar about it very approachable very familiar about it very approachable very familiar about it very approachable and i love that that just drew me here and i love that that just drew me here and i love that that just drew me here so it took a few years but um i got here so it took a few years but um i got here so it took a few years but um i got here eventually and i've been really happy to eventually and i've been really happy to eventually and i've been really happy to be part of this place since then be part of this place since then be part of this place since then so so you you took over the role of so so you you took over the role of so so you you took over the role of communications i think you said like communications i think you said like communications i think you said like about a year and a half ago about a year and a half ago about a year and a half ago my was that my was that my was that uh it was about a year and a half into uh it was about a year and a half into uh it was about a year and a half into my role so it's about two and a half my role so it's about two and a half my role so it's about two and a half years now okay okay so wow so you're years now okay okay so wow so you're years now okay okay so wow so you're trying to you're pioneering this thing trying to you're pioneering this thing trying to you're pioneering this thing called communications and and no doubt called communications and and no doubt called communications and and no doubt they're doing something similar to that they're doing something similar to that they're doing something similar to that but you started to put some organization but you started to put some organization but you started to put some organization to it i'm sure to it i'm sure to it i'm sure then covet happened then covet happened then covet happened so so so uh which there's no blueprint for how uh which there's no blueprint for how uh which there's no blueprint for how you do did you guys uh did you did you guys uh did you what was the strategy um

what was the strategy um what was the strategy um how'd that just walk us through on what how'd that just walk us through on what how'd that just walk us through on what you guys did and how you've gotten back you guys did and how you've gotten back you guys did and how you've gotten back to where you are today to where you are today to where you are today uh yeah it was definitely an interesting uh yeah it was definitely an interesting uh yeah it was definitely an interesting time to time to time to be be be sort of sort of sort of transitioning into this role full-time transitioning into this role full-time transitioning into this role full-time during a pandemic it was about two during a pandemic it was about two during a pandemic it was about two months in i think and um like i said i months in i think and um like i said i months in i think and um like i said i have been taking on some have been taking on some have been taking on some responsibilities within the realm of responsibilities within the realm of responsibilities within the realm of communications here but it wasn't my communications here but it wasn't my communications here but it wasn't my full-time role and then covet happened full-time role and then covet happened full-time role and then covet happened and then it was like well we got to and then it was like well we got to and then it was like well we got to communicate a lot of things and we got communicate a lot of things and we got communicate a lot of things and we got to communicate them differently now so to communicate them differently now so to communicate them differently now so we got to figure this out and that sort we got to figure this out and that sort we got to figure this out and that sort of expedited i think my transition into of expedited i think my transition into of expedited i think my transition into this full-time role um and this full-time role um and this full-time role um and like you said no i mean nobody knew what like you said no i mean nobody knew what like you said no i mean nobody knew what they're doing because we've never been they're doing because we've never been they're doing because we've never been through a pandemic before uh so it was i through a pandemic before uh so it was i through a pandemic before uh so it was i think the biggest shift for a lot of think the biggest shift for a lot of think the biggest shift for a lot of people i'm sure is that you know people i'm sure is that you know people i'm sure is that you know everything's got to be online now so so everything's got to be online now so so everything's got to be online now so so many things and the ways that we would many things and the ways that we would many things and the ways that we would communicate with people communicate with people communicate with people from a stage on a sunday morning we from a stage on a sunday morning we from a stage on a sunday morning we can't do that the same way anymore can't do that the same way anymore can't do that the same way anymore everything's got to be online and really everything's got to be online and really everything's got to be online and really just the you know trying to keep people just the you know trying to keep people just the you know trying to keep people feeling connected to their church when feeling connected to their church when feeling connected to their church when they can't physically be here that was they can't physically be here that was they can't physically be here that was very challenging we tried a lot of very challenging we tried a lot of very challenging we tried a lot of things and we moved quickly because we things and we moved quickly because we things and we moved quickly because we had to had to had to and certainly not all of them worked but and certainly not all of them worked but and certainly not all of them worked but we had a lot of things that we tried on we had a lot of things that we tried on we had a lot of things that we tried on social media and just email campaigns social media and just email campaigns social media and just email campaigns and things like that to try and help and things like that to try and help and things like that to try and help people stay connected people stay connected people stay connected we learned the value of things like we learned the value of things like we learned the value of things like facebook live really quickly just you facebook live really quickly just you facebook live really quickly just you know anything we could really just to know anything we could really just to know anything we could really just to try and get people to feel like hey i'm try and get people to feel like hey i'm try and get people to feel like hey i'm still connected to my church even though

still connected to my church even though still connected to my church even though i can't physically be there um but we've i can't physically be there um but we've i can't physically be there um but we've learned some things from that time that learned some things from that time that learned some things from that time that we've continued and a lot of things that we've continued and a lot of things that we've continued and a lot of things that we have not continued because they we have not continued because they we have not continued because they didn't go as planned and that's okay didn't go as planned and that's okay didn't go as planned and that's okay um but you know we we just experimented um but you know we we just experimented um but you know we we just experimented and i think the and i think the and i think the thing that i love about this is a part thing that i love about this is a part thing that i love about this is a part of gwinnett church's dna anyway of gwinnett church's dna anyway of gwinnett church's dna anyway is that we're willing to try things and is that we're willing to try things and is that we're willing to try things and fail um and that's okay so fail um and that's okay so fail um and that's okay so that was my own tendency sometimes is to that was my own tendency sometimes is to that was my own tendency sometimes is to want to perfect something before i'll want to perfect something before i'll want to perfect something before i'll launch it and so working at gwinnett has launch it and so working at gwinnett has launch it and so working at gwinnett has helped me figure out helped me figure out helped me figure out how to move a little faster into things how to move a little faster into things how to move a little faster into things and don't wait for it to be perfect but and don't wait for it to be perfect but and don't wait for it to be perfect but just try it anyway just try it anyway just try it anyway and covet definitely pushed us all into and covet definitely pushed us all into and covet definitely pushed us all into that kind of thinking which is healthy i that kind of thinking which is healthy i that kind of thinking which is healthy i think it was good yeah that's a that's a think it was good yeah that's a that's a think it was good yeah that's a that's a i think it's a healthy strategy you know i think it's a healthy strategy you know i think it's a healthy strategy you know you kind of figure out okay this is what you kind of figure out okay this is what you kind of figure out okay this is what we're about this is what we want to do we're about this is what we want to do we're about this is what we want to do and this is this is our strategy and this is this is our strategy and this is this is our strategy but don't get hung up on that right if but don't get hung up on that right if but don't get hung up on that right if it fails we pivot we go that direction it fails we pivot we go that direction it fails we pivot we go that direction now right yeah give me some examples now right yeah give me some examples now right yeah give me some examples like where that's where you have like where that's where you have like where that's where you have actually done that where things actually done that where things actually done that where things uh things have changed and things you've uh things have changed and things you've uh things have changed and things you've tried things they've failed but now tried things they've failed but now tried things they've failed but now you've tried some other stuff and that's you've tried some other stuff and that's you've tried some other stuff and that's sticking and it's growing and sticking and it's growing and sticking and it's growing and and so that's what's what's a couple and so that's what's what's a couple and so that's what's what's a couple strategies another and the second strategies another and the second strategies another and the second question is is that aligned with question is is that aligned with question is is that aligned with with leadership is leadership the one with leadership is leadership the one with leadership is leadership the one that's kind of directing that's kind of directing that's kind of directing that strategy that strategy that strategy well it's interesting for the the second well it's interesting for the the second well it's interesting for the the second part of what you're saying it's part of what you're saying it's part of what you're saying it's interesting to be part of a whole interesting to be part of a whole interesting to be part of a whole network of churches network of churches network of churches because there is an overall structure

because there is an overall structure because there is an overall structure for what all of north point ministries for what all of north point ministries for what all of north point ministries is doing and then there's some autonomy is doing and then there's some autonomy is doing and then there's some autonomy too between our different campuses too between our different campuses too between our different campuses because we're in different communities i because we're in different communities i because we're in different communities i mean even just our churches across the mean even just our churches across the mean even just our churches across the atlanta area atlanta area atlanta area we have a church about 40 minutes away we have a church about 40 minutes away we have a church about 40 minutes away from here that is in just a very from here that is in just a very from here that is in just a very different kind of community than we are different kind of community than we are different kind of community than we are in gwinnett and so they have different in gwinnett and so they have different in gwinnett and so they have different needs and different they have a needs and different they have a needs and different they have a different voice in their communication different voice in their communication different voice in their communication as they should and as we should as they should and as we should as they should and as we should um so um so um so it's nice that we have i'm grateful to it's nice that we have i'm grateful to it's nice that we have i'm grateful to work for an organization where we do work for an organization where we do work for an organization where we do have some autonomy um but then you know have some autonomy um but then you know have some autonomy um but then you know of course we have full agreement on our of course we have full agreement on our of course we have full agreement on our overall strategy that we won't inspire overall strategy that we won't inspire overall strategy that we won't inspire people to follow jesus and so that's the people to follow jesus and so that's the people to follow jesus and so that's the most important thing most important thing most important thing and and and it's going to look probably different it's going to look probably different it's going to look probably different for the way we work toward that goal for the way we work toward that goal for the way we work toward that goal among our different communities but that among our different communities but that among our different communities but that is our goal so i'm grateful that we can is our goal so i'm grateful that we can is our goal so i'm grateful that we can experiment a little bit and we experiment a little bit and we experiment a little bit and we definitely had to do that um definitely had to do that um definitely had to do that um in the middle of covid so some of the in the middle of covid so some of the in the middle of covid so some of the things that um that we tried especially things that um that we tried especially things that um that we tried especially right at the beginning like i said we right at the beginning like i said we right at the beginning like i said we we definitely used facebook live a lot we definitely used facebook live a lot we definitely used facebook live a lot we actually had i think it was a we had we actually had i think it was a we had we actually had i think it was a we had a service planned i think it might have a service planned i think it might have a service planned i think it might have been like a night of worship something been like a night of worship something been like a night of worship something uh not typical to our sunday mornings uh not typical to our sunday mornings uh not typical to our sunday mornings but we had something like that planned but we had something like that planned but we had something like that planned originally and then we went okay we got originally and then we went okay we got originally and then we went okay we got to do this online now to do this online now to do this online now and so we just the fastest thing we and so we just the fastest thing we and so we just the fastest thing we could do was let's put this on facebook could do was let's put this on facebook could do was let's put this on facebook live and live and live and we just had a few of us staff members in we just had a few of us staff members in we just had a few of us staff members in the chat during that and i mean it just the chat during that and i mean it just the chat during that and i mean it just it was amazing to see our whole church it was amazing to see our whole church it was amazing to see our whole church community come together chatting with community come together chatting with community come together chatting with each other throughout the service and

each other throughout the service and each other throughout the service and just to think you know this is a totally just to think you know this is a totally just to think you know this is a totally different way of doing this but they different way of doing this but they different way of doing this but they feel really connected so we've learned feel really connected so we've learned feel really connected so we've learned some things from that sort of thing that some things from that sort of thing that some things from that sort of thing that we've done we've done we've done now it's not a facebook live thing but now it's not a facebook live thing but now it's not a facebook live thing but our full service is on youtube every our full service is on youtube every our full service is on youtube every sunday and we have someone in the chat sunday and we have someone in the chat sunday and we have someone in the chat there we have um now we record specific there we have um now we record specific there we have um now we record specific online hosting or we have a host online hosting or we have a host online hosting or we have a host introduce the service speaking introduce the service speaking introduce the service speaking specifically to our online audience specifically to our online audience specifically to our online audience because that's a huge that's still about because that's a huge that's still about because that's a huge that's still about half of our churches online um so we've half of our churches online um so we've half of our churches online um so we've been able to learn some things about how been able to learn some things about how been able to learn some things about how do we make that online experience help do we make that online experience help do we make that online experience help people still feel very connected people still feel very connected people still feel very connected wherever they are but this is still wherever they are but this is still wherever they are but this is still their church so we've we've learned a their church so we've we've learned a their church so we've we've learned a lot um in that regard lot um in that regard lot um in that regard do you um do you think if you had to do you um do you think if you had to do you um do you think if you had to split up your time is it uh as a split up your time is it uh as a split up your time is it uh as a communication director i mean that's a communication director i mean that's a communication director i mean that's a you can wear a lot of hats you can wear a lot of hats you can wear a lot of hats you do wear a lot of hats i'm sure yeah you do wear a lot of hats i'm sure yeah you do wear a lot of hats i'm sure yeah how much of your time is spent how much of your time is spent how much of your time is spent internally focused versus maybe online internally focused versus maybe online internally focused versus maybe online or externally focused or is there or externally focused or is there or externally focused or is there another area that you like weekend another area that you like weekend another area that you like weekend worship or what's that look like for you worship or what's that look like for you worship or what's that look like for you and your in your weekly balance and your in your weekly balance and your in your weekly balance yeah yeah yeah uh well one of the things that like i uh well one of the things that like i uh well one of the things that like i said i'm this role has not existed said i'm this role has not existed said i'm this role has not existed before and so one of the things that i before and so one of the things that i before and so one of the things that i am still trying to some of this i'm am still trying to some of this i'm am still trying to some of this i'm still trying to figure out um but a big still trying to figure out um but a big still trying to figure out um but a big part of my role has been to lead a it's part of my role has been to lead a it's part of my role has been to lead a it's a communications team but it's really i a communications team but it's really i a communications team but it's really i meet regularly with some someone who is meet regularly with some someone who is meet regularly with some someone who is in charge of communications for each of in charge of communications for each of in charge of communications for each of our different environments so our our different environments so our our different environments so our preschool environment our middle school preschool environment our middle school preschool environment our middle school environment our

environment our environment our production environment all there's a production environment all there's a production environment all there's a representative from every environment representative from every environment representative from every environment it's about 10 people and we meet it's about 10 people and we meet it's about 10 people and we meet regularly and they come they come in regularly and they come they come in regularly and they come they come in with hey here's what we're communicating with hey here's what we're communicating with hey here's what we're communicating in our individual department and what in our individual department and what in our individual department and what we're focused on um so i get to hear we're focused on um so i get to hear we're focused on um so i get to hear from all of them about their from all of them about their from all of them about their communication priorities and what communication priorities and what communication priorities and what they're focused on right then but then i they're focused on right then but then i they're focused on right then but then i come into it with the broader sense of come into it with the broader sense of come into it with the broader sense of hey as a whole church how does this line hey as a whole church how does this line hey as a whole church how does this line up um i want to make sure we're not up um i want to make sure we're not up um i want to make sure we're not going to be like bombarding people in going to be like bombarding people in going to be like bombarding people in our church with communication you know our church with communication you know our church with communication you know all at the same time about different all at the same time about different all at the same time about different messages and things like that so i kind messages and things like that so i kind messages and things like that so i kind of come in with that broader of come in with that broader of come in with that broader perspective of what we're doing as a perspective of what we're doing as a perspective of what we're doing as a whole church um so that's whole church um so that's whole church um so that's that puts me in a lot of different that puts me in a lot of different that puts me in a lot of different you know a lot of different seats and you know a lot of different seats and you know a lot of different seats and communicating with communicating with communicating with each of our environments but i love that each of our environments but i love that each of our environments but i love that part of my job where i get to kind of part of my job where i get to kind of part of my job where i get to kind of pull together and say hey where can we pull together and say hey where can we pull together and say hey where can we maybe put some more strategy to this or maybe put some more strategy to this or maybe put some more strategy to this or you know your team's talking about this you know your team's talking about this you know your team's talking about this thing and your team's talking about that thing and your team's talking about that thing and your team's talking about that thing we could probably double up on thing we could probably double up on thing we could probably double up on that because it's kind of the same that because it's kind of the same that because it's kind of the same audience so let's be strategic about audience so let's be strategic about audience so let's be strategic about that so that's a lot of my role that that so that's a lot of my role that that so that's a lot of my role that takes up the majority of my week takes up the majority of my week takes up the majority of my week and then i also work very closely with and then i also work very closely with and then i also work very closely with our lead pastor he's my direct boss and our lead pastor he's my direct boss and our lead pastor he's my direct boss and so so so i communicate with him frequently about i communicate with him frequently about i communicate with him frequently about um um um just what we're communicating so that just what we're communicating so that just what we're communicating so that he's aware but also i want to know from he's aware but also i want to know from he's aware but also i want to know from him what is important to him as far as him what is important to him as far as him what is important to him as far as you know what does he want our church to you know what does he want our church to you know what does he want our church to know and more than that what's the voice know and more than that what's the voice know and more than that what's the voice he wants to use you know so a lot of my

he wants to use you know so a lot of my he wants to use you know so a lot of my time is spent just getting to know how time is spent just getting to know how time is spent just getting to know how would he say this and how would he want would he say this and how would he want would he say this and how would he want us to communicate this so that's most of us to communicate this so that's most of us to communicate this so that's most of what my week looks like what my week looks like what my week looks like i want to take a moment to thank you for i want to take a moment to thank you for i want to take a moment to thank you for tuning in to the missional marketing tuning in to the missional marketing tuning in to the missional marketing podcast it's always our goal to help you podcast it's always our goal to help you podcast it's always our goal to help you as a church leader leverage your as a church leader leverage your as a church leader leverage your communications and digital media communications and digital media communications and digital media resources to reach more people for jesus resources to reach more people for jesus resources to reach more people for jesus one of the ways that we help churches do one of the ways that we help churches do one of the ways that we help churches do that is through creating social media that is through creating social media that is through creating social media content from your sunday sermon videos content from your sunday sermon videos content from your sunday sermon videos specifically what we can do for you is specifically what we can do for you is specifically what we can do for you is to create short sermon snippets from 30 to create short sermon snippets from 30 to create short sermon snippets from 30 seconds long to five minutes long seconds long to five minutes long seconds long to five minutes long capturing those mic drop moments that capturing those mic drop moments that capturing those mic drop moments that you really want people to remember we you really want people to remember we you really want people to remember we edit the videos add captions add your edit the videos add captions add your edit the videos add captions add your church branding and then you or we post church branding and then you or we post church branding and then you or we post them to your social media channels them to your social media channels them to your social media channels as a pastor i always love to see my as a pastor i always love to see my as a pastor i always love to see my sermon content live on beyond the sermon content live on beyond the sermon content live on beyond the sundays and i know that's what you value sundays and i know that's what you value sundays and i know that's what you value for your sermons too for your sermons too for your sermons too we offer this service as a monthly we offer this service as a monthly we offer this service as a monthly subscription but we've got a six week subscription but we've got a six week subscription but we've got a six week trial that gives you a chance to see how trial that gives you a chance to see how trial that gives you a chance to see how it works if you'd like more information it works if you'd like more information it works if you'd like more information just shoot me an email at b blair just shoot me an email at b blair just shoot me an email at b blair missionalmarketing.com i'd be glad to missionalmarketing.com i'd be glad to missionalmarketing.com i'd be glad to meet with you explain the process and meet with you explain the process and meet with you explain the process and answer any questions that you have once answer any questions that you have once answer any questions that you have once again thanks for tuning in to our again thanks for tuning in to our again thanks for tuning in to our podcast let's get back to the interview podcast let's get back to the interview podcast let's get back to the interview well i i love well i i love well i i love i love what you just said i love what you just said i love what you just said with the the group of 10 people with the the group of 10 people with the the group of 10 people and so for our audience that something and so for our audience that something and so for our audience that something just popped in my head it doesn't matter just popped in my head it doesn't matter just popped in my head it doesn't matter if you're working with 10 people if you're working with 10 people if you're working with 10 people 30 people or four people 30 people or four people 30 people or four people you're the director of communications you're the director of communications you're the director of communications but you meet with each department as but you meet with each department as but you meet with each department as their communications person their communications person their communications person right and so yeah so it's not like

right and so yeah so it's not like right and so yeah so it's not like you're meeting with the student pastor you're meeting with the student pastor you're meeting with the student pastor and he's just talking to you no he's the and he's just talking to you no he's the and he's just talking to you no he's the communications guy for that department communications guy for that department communications guy for that department that comes to you you're the director of that comes to you you're the director of that comes to you you're the director of the whole thing i really like that the whole thing i really like that the whole thing i really like that actually position and strategy because actually position and strategy because actually position and strategy because collectively you're all on the same team collectively you're all on the same team collectively you're all on the same team right moving forward because right moving forward because right moving forward because your lead pastor's going this is what your lead pastor's going this is what your lead pastor's going this is what we're this is the vision this is the we're this is the vision this is the we're this is the vision this is the strategy this is what strategy this is what strategy this is what that's i mean it makes your job that's i mean it makes your job that's i mean it makes your job a little bit easier a little bit easier a little bit easier it's it's definitely definitely does it's it's definitely definitely does it's it's definitely definitely does yeah sarah yeah sarah yeah sarah yeah sarah yeah sarah yeah sarah so wearing a lot of different hats and so wearing a lot of different hats and so wearing a lot of different hats and jason talk about you know things that jason talk about you know things that jason talk about you know things that might make your job easier are there any might make your job easier are there any might make your job easier are there any like technical tools that you're using like technical tools that you're using like technical tools that you're using with your team like sauna project with your team like sauna project with your team like sauna project management tools management tools management tools just google sheets and google docs what just google sheets and google docs what just google sheets and google docs what kind of things are you using that you're kind of things are you using that you're kind of things are you using that you're implementing with the rest of the the implementing with the rest of the the implementing with the rest of the the staff staff staff on your team to simplify or to on your team to simplify or to on your team to simplify or to streamline what you're doing to make streamline what you're doing to make streamline what you're doing to make sure that you're executing on the things sure that you're executing on the things sure that you're executing on the things that you need to be executing on that you need to be executing on that you need to be executing on uh the tools we use are really pretty uh the tools we use are really pretty uh the tools we use are really pretty simple i mean i am using google sheets a simple i mean i am using google sheets a simple i mean i am using google sheets a lot i have my all of my social media lot i have my all of my social media lot i have my all of my social media planning is done in google sheets and i planning is done in google sheets and i planning is done in google sheets and i have a team of people who help me with have a team of people who help me with have a team of people who help me with that so that's just easy and accessible that so that's just easy and accessible that so that's just easy and accessible for all of us to use um and then really for all of us to use um and then really for all of us to use um and then really i mean this is going to sound obvious i mean this is going to sound obvious i mean this is going to sound obvious but we use slack a lot but we use slack a lot but we use slack a lot the different channels there to i use the different channels there to i use the different channels there to i use that a lot as far as that a lot as far as that a lot as far as i'll update our staff on for example i'll update our staff on for example i'll update our staff on for example easter is coming up this weekend so i'll easter is coming up this weekend so i'll easter is coming up this weekend so i'll update our staff on hey here's how we're update our staff on hey here's how we're update our staff on hey here's how we're promoting easter here are some social promoting easter here are some social promoting easter here are some social media assets you can have if you want to

media assets you can have if you want to media assets you can have if you want to post on your own channels you know post on your own channels you know post on your own channels you know things like that things like that things like that so i just use slack for all of that and so i just use slack for all of that and so i just use slack for all of that and then the different then the different then the different groups i want to communicate with among groups i want to communicate with among groups i want to communicate with among our staff our staff our staff and then just dropbox so i mean they're and then just dropbox so i mean they're and then just dropbox so i mean they're pretty simple but those are the three pretty simple but those are the three pretty simple but those are the three things i use the most things i use the most things i use the most wow well i wish it was obvious that wow well i wish it was obvious that wow well i wish it was obvious that everyone should be using slack jason is everyone should be using slack jason is everyone should be using slack jason is it obvious that everyone yeah no it's it obvious that everyone yeah no it's it obvious that everyone yeah no it's not it's not obvious yeah basically not it's not obvious yeah basically not it's not obvious yeah basically jason's a slack champion yes jason is a jason's a slack champion yes jason is a jason's a slack champion yes jason is a flag and he's a slack champion flag and he's a slack champion flag and he's a slack champion yeah yeah it is a really good tool yeah yeah it is a really good tool yeah yeah it is a really good tool um so as you as you look at the um so as you as you look at the um so as you as you look at the landscape of churches you you're in your landscape of churches you you're in your landscape of churches you you're in your second church but really to to some second church but really to to some second church but really to to some degree it's kind of like being in the degree it's kind of like being in the degree it's kind of like being in the same church because at least from a same church because at least from a same church because at least from a mission vision mission vision mission vision values standpoint a lot of the things values standpoint a lot of the things values standpoint a lot of the things are very similar so you've you've served are very similar so you've you've served are very similar so you've you've served for a couple of different leaders now for a couple of different leaders now for a couple of different leaders now one of the things that you're doing to one of the things that you're doing to one of the things that you're doing to make sure that you're growing that make sure that you're growing that make sure that you're growing that you're continuing to kind of stay on the you're continuing to kind of stay on the you're continuing to kind of stay on the forefront of how to be effective how to forefront of how to be effective how to forefront of how to be effective how to use the tools that are available aside use the tools that are available aside use the tools that are available aside from slack from slack from slack who are you listening to and who are you who are you listening to and who are you who are you listening to and who are you learning from uh well i am very grateful to be part of uh well i am very grateful to be part of a whole a whole a whole community of churches here and so i try community of churches here and so i try community of churches here and so i try to we don't have necessarily like a to we don't have necessarily like a to we don't have necessarily like a person doing my exact role in each of person doing my exact role in each of person doing my exact role in each of our atlanta area campuses our atlanta area campuses our atlanta area campuses the responsibilities are there but in the responsibilities are there but in the responsibilities are there but in some campuses it's three or four people some campuses it's three or four people some campuses it's three or four people who are kind of you know one person owns who are kind of you know one person owns who are kind of you know one person owns this piece one person owns that piece this piece one person owns that piece this piece one person owns that piece some campuses it is one person it looks some campuses it is one person it looks some campuses it is one person it looks different but uh there are people who different but uh there are people who different but uh there are people who manage communication in different ways

manage communication in different ways manage communication in different ways at all of our atlanta area campuses and at all of our atlanta area campuses and at all of our atlanta area campuses and so i try to be intentional about so i try to be intentional about so i try to be intentional about connecting with them connecting with them connecting with them and meeting with them and that's been a and meeting with them and that's been a and meeting with them and that's been a huge support just to be part of a huge support just to be part of a huge support just to be part of a network like that um because we get to network like that um because we get to network like that um because we get to ask each other questions and we get to ask each other questions and we get to ask each other questions and we get to meet regularly and say hey what are how meet regularly and say hey what are how meet regularly and say hey what are how are you going to promote this thing or are you going to promote this thing or are you going to promote this thing or how are you going to share that how are you going to share that how are you going to share that information um and then you know of information um and then you know of information um and then you know of course a lot of times it's like oh i course a lot of times it's like oh i course a lot of times it's like oh i never i didn't think about that so we never i didn't think about that so we never i didn't think about that so we kind of get to share perspective on kind of get to share perspective on kind of get to share perspective on those things which has been really those things which has been really those things which has been really really helpful but even before i was really helpful but even before i was really helpful but even before i was part of um north point ministries and part of um north point ministries and part of um north point ministries and gwinnett church gwinnett church gwinnett church when i was working in pittsburgh i tried when i was working in pittsburgh i tried when i was working in pittsburgh i tried to be intentional about doing that to be intentional about doing that to be intentional about doing that anyway anyway anyway and kind of i didn't have a built-in and kind of i didn't have a built-in and kind of i didn't have a built-in network but i tried to just make one and network but i tried to just make one and network but i tried to just make one and a lot of it came from a lot of it came from a lot of it came from um just being intentional about um just being intentional about um just being intentional about connecting with people who were at these connecting with people who were at these connecting with people who were at these atlanta area churches even before i atlanta area churches even before i atlanta area churches even before i moved here and worked here moved here and worked here moved here and worked here but a lot of times just those but a lot of times just those but a lot of times just those conversations bring up whole new ideas conversations bring up whole new ideas conversations bring up whole new ideas and perspective that i just wouldn't and perspective that i just wouldn't and perspective that i just wouldn't have otherwise have otherwise have otherwise this role i think can this role i think can this role i think can it you know i'm very focused on it you know i'm very focused on it you know i'm very focused on communications and i'm really the one at communications and i'm really the one at communications and i'm really the one at our campus whose job is communication our campus whose job is communication our campus whose job is communication which is great um but if i'm not which is great um but if i'm not which is great um but if i'm not intentional about reaching out to other intentional about reaching out to other intentional about reaching out to other people then it can our messaging can people then it can our messaging can people then it can our messaging can very quickly just become sarah's voice very quickly just become sarah's voice very quickly just become sarah's voice and the way sarah thinks and that sort and the way sarah thinks and that sort and the way sarah thinks and that sort of thing so i have to have that other of thing so i have to have that other of thing so i have to have that other input and perspective input and perspective input and perspective um just to try and keep up um just to try and keep up um just to try and keep up so that's a big part of it so that's a big part of it so that's a big part of it wow wow wow well let me ask you another question well let me ask you another question well let me ask you another question kind of on the same kind of on the same kind of on the same same line of thinking but maybe a little

same line of thinking but maybe a little same line of thinking but maybe a little different um you are different um you are different um you are kind of pioneering jason used the word kind of pioneering jason used the word kind of pioneering jason used the word pioneering pioneering this church pioneering pioneering this church pioneering pioneering this church communications this department this team communications this department this team communications this department this team however it looks like for you um you however it looks like for you um you however it looks like for you um you know a lot of people that we have the know a lot of people that we have the know a lot of people that we have the opportunity to work with are people who opportunity to work with are people who opportunity to work with are people who are are stepping into are are stepping into are are stepping into a communications role or trying to a communications role or trying to a communications role or trying to invent one trying to make one um invent one trying to make one um invent one trying to make one um you know as you're going through this you know as you're going through this you know as you're going through this process of taking a church that's you process of taking a church that's you process of taking a church that's you know it's a sizable church there's a lot know it's a sizable church there's a lot know it's a sizable church there's a lot of activity a lot of ministry going on of activity a lot of ministry going on of activity a lot of ministry going on and now all of a sudden you're stepping and now all of a sudden you're stepping and now all of a sudden you're stepping into this role what have been some of into this role what have been some of into this role what have been some of the things that you've done to the things that you've done to the things that you've done to prioritize kind of creating the role and prioritize kind of creating the role and prioritize kind of creating the role and perhaps building a team and and how perhaps building a team and and how perhaps building a team and and how would you coach someone who came to you would you coach someone who came to you would you coach someone who came to you and said okay i've just you know i've and said okay i've just you know i've and said okay i've just you know i've been hired on the church staff to be a been hired on the church staff to be a been hired on the church staff to be a graphic designer for the last you know graphic designer for the last you know graphic designer for the last you know three years now all of a sudden i'm three years now all of a sudden i'm three years now all of a sudden i'm going to be a communications director going to be a communications director going to be a communications director what do i do we've never had anybody in what do i do we've never had anybody in what do i do we've never had anybody in this role before we've never had a team this role before we've never had a team this role before we've never had a team one of the things that i need to do to one of the things that i need to do to one of the things that i need to do to build this department build this department build this department i think probably the biggest thing and i think probably the biggest thing and i think probably the biggest thing and this this looks different everywhere but this this looks different everywhere but this this looks different everywhere but probably the biggest thing for me was probably the biggest thing for me was probably the biggest thing for me was just getting to know like i said the just getting to know like i said the just getting to know like i said the voice of early pastor and what is voice of early pastor and what is voice of early pastor and what is important to him because important to him because important to him because if i start moving in a direction that if i start moving in a direction that if i start moving in a direction that is not important to him or that he just is not important to him or that he just is not important to him or that he just is not part of his vision for this is not part of his vision for this is not part of his vision for this church then that is some time wasted church then that is some time wasted church then that is some time wasted time and effort wasted so a lot of it is time and effort wasted so a lot of it is time and effort wasted so a lot of it is just me trying to get to know just me trying to get to know just me trying to get to know what what is important to him and how what what is important to him and how what what is important to him and how would he communicate um the thing that would he communicate um the thing that would he communicate um the thing that was different for me and that was we

was different for me and that was we was different for me and that was we actually have we we got a new lead actually have we we got a new lead actually have we we got a new lead pastor about a year and a half ago so pastor about a year and a half ago so pastor about a year and a half ago so i've i haven't really worked with him i've i haven't really worked with him i've i haven't really worked with him for that long but he's thankfully he's for that long but he's thankfully he's for that long but he's thankfully he's very easy to follow he's a fantastic very easy to follow he's a fantastic very easy to follow he's a fantastic leader so that's been an easy transition leader so that's been an easy transition leader so that's been an easy transition but that investment in just getting to but that investment in just getting to but that investment in just getting to know him and how he communicates and know him and how he communicates and know him and how he communicates and what's important there what's important there what's important there that i think is the biggest like that i think is the biggest like that i think is the biggest like foundational thing that you could do um foundational thing that you could do um foundational thing that you could do um just to make the most of all your just to make the most of all your just to make the most of all your efforts going forward um efforts going forward um efforts going forward um and there's a lot of trust there and he and there's a lot of trust there and he and there's a lot of trust there and he lets me um you know share ideas and try lets me um you know share ideas and try lets me um you know share ideas and try new things and all that stuff but like i new things and all that stuff but like i new things and all that stuff but like i said it's just it's been very helpful to said it's just it's been very helpful to said it's just it's been very helpful to know his voice and what's important to know his voice and what's important to know his voice and what's important to him in terms of our vision and then go him in terms of our vision and then go him in terms of our vision and then go from there so i think that's a big part from there so i think that's a big part from there so i think that's a big part of it and then similarly when i took on of it and then similarly when i took on of it and then similarly when i took on this role i met with before we even had this role i met with before we even had this role i met with before we even had that communications team that i talked that communications team that i talked that communications team that i talked about of about 10 people before that was about of about 10 people before that was about of about 10 people before that was actually an official thing actually an official thing actually an official thing i just met with each of our environment i just met with each of our environment i just met with each of our environment directors directors directors just to say tell me more about what's just to say tell me more about what's just to say tell me more about what's going on here and what you're working on going on here and what you're working on going on here and what you're working on and what's important and what's important and what's important you know for your team right now um i you know for your team right now um i you know for your team right now um i really want my role to really want my role to really want my role to i want the people who work here and our i want the people who work here and our i want the people who work here and our other departments to see my role as a other departments to see my role as a other departments to see my role as a support to them um so it's it's kind of support to them um so it's it's kind of support to them um so it's it's kind of centrally located like i said in that centrally located like i said in that centrally located like i said in that i've got the broader perspective of what i've got the broader perspective of what i've got the broader perspective of what we're communicating but i want for all we're communicating but i want for all we're communicating but i want for all of our teams to um to think of what i do of our teams to um to think of what i do of our teams to um to think of what i do in my role as a support to them so in my role as a support to them so in my role as a support to them so they're in the details of you know all

they're in the details of you know all they're in the details of you know all kinds of stuff is they're trying to you kinds of stuff is they're trying to you kinds of stuff is they're trying to you know plan an event for high schoolers know plan an event for high schoolers know plan an event for high schoolers they're thinking about registration and they're thinking about registration and they're thinking about registration and food that's got to be there and leaders food that's got to be there and leaders food that's got to be there and leaders and volunteers and all that stuff so it and volunteers and all that stuff so it and volunteers and all that stuff so it can be a very different um can be a very different um can be a very different um mindset for them you know to shift gears mindset for them you know to shift gears mindset for them you know to shift gears and now think about okay how do we and now think about okay how do we and now think about okay how do we promote this and what's the messaging promote this and what's the messaging promote this and what's the messaging around it and that sort of thing um and around it and that sort of thing um and around it and that sort of thing um and so so so they're doing such a great job at what they're doing such a great job at what they're doing such a great job at what they're doing i want them to view my they're doing i want them to view my they're doing i want them to view my role as like hey she can come in and role as like hey she can come in and role as like hey she can come in and help us think through how do we help us think through how do we help us think through how do we communicate this thing to parents and communicate this thing to parents and communicate this thing to parents and actually get people here um so i think actually get people here um so i think actually get people here um so i think just trying to invest in each of our just trying to invest in each of our just trying to invest in each of our teams and those relationships first um i teams and those relationships first um i teams and those relationships first um i think has been i think it's paid off and think has been i think it's paid off and think has been i think it's paid off and that we have that we have that we have a good rapport now and that we can you a good rapport now and that we can you a good rapport now and that we can you know i can communicate easily with our know i can communicate easily with our know i can communicate easily with our different directors and departments um different directors and departments um different directors and departments um and really try and just come alongside and really try and just come alongside and really try and just come alongside them and support the great work that them and support the great work that them and support the great work that they're already doing they're already doing they're already doing well jason jason can i ask you a well jason jason can i ask you a well jason jason can i ask you a question i want to ask i want to ask you question i want to ask i want to ask you question i want to ask i want to ask you a question because you're your a question because you're your a question because you're your communications director casey you have communications director casey you have communications director casey you have something to contribute to this something to contribute to this something to contribute to this conversation and sarah you may you may conversation and sarah you may you may conversation and sarah you may you may you may want to answer the same question you may want to answer the same question you may want to answer the same question so i sarah sort of postured things just so i sarah sort of postured things just so i sarah sort of postured things just now basically saying hey look we've got now basically saying hey look we've got now basically saying hey look we've got you know the youth ministry the student you know the youth ministry the student you know the youth ministry the student ministry staff they're putting on this ministry staff they're putting on this ministry staff they're putting on this event they're doing this thing and event they're doing this thing and event they're doing this thing and that's the lane that they're running in that's the lane that they're running in that's the lane that they're running in and they're really good at it and then and they're really good at it and then and they're really good at it and then i'm going to come alongside and i'm i'm going to come alongside and i'm i'm going to come alongside and i'm going to support them and be the one going to support them and be the one going to support them and be the one that communicates it that communicates it that communicates it jason have you ever had situations when jason have you ever had situations when jason have you ever had situations when when you were leading a communications when you were leading a communications when you were leading a communications team and you were in church where team and you were in church where team and you were in church where that that that person or that team person or that team person or that team that's planning that event or that that's planning that event or that that's planning that event or that activity doesn't really want to lean on

activity doesn't really want to lean on activity doesn't really want to lean on you to be the one that communicates it you to be the one that communicates it you to be the one that communicates it they get kind of their own wild hair they get kind of their own wild hair they get kind of their own wild hair their own idea about how they're going their own idea about how they're going their own idea about how they're going to do it they're going to create their to do it they're going to create their to do it they're going to create their own own own media plan and their own social media media plan and their own social media media plan and their own social media strategy and just kind of run run cowboy strategy and just kind of run run cowboy strategy and just kind of run run cowboy have you ever had situations oh yeah have you ever had situations oh yeah have you ever had situations oh yeah students students students students so so how do you so how do you students so so how do you so how do you students so so how do you so how do you how do you deal with that when when it's how do you deal with that when when it's how do you deal with that when when it's was so sarah's basically she's nice was so sarah's basically she's nice was so sarah's basically she's nice she's really nice and so she's like hey she's really nice and so she's like hey she's really nice and so she's like hey i'm here to support you i want to help i'm here to support you i want to help i'm here to support you i want to help you you you what will you do what will you do what will you do first of all sarah is first of all sarah is first of all sarah is an effective an effective an effective communications director because she's an communications director because she's an communications director because she's an effective communicator but she said to effective communicator but she said to effective communicator but she said to go and meet with all the all the you go and meet with all the all the you go and meet with all the all the you know the know the know the those ministries and and learn what they those ministries and and learn what they those ministries and and learn what they are all about are all about are all about brilliant so if you've not done that brilliant so if you've not done that brilliant so if you've not done that communication directors start there communication directors start there communication directors start there but i i also um and i learned this but i i also um and i learned this but i i also um and i learned this actually from maddie who's another actually from maddie who's another actually from maddie who's another communication director on our team that communication director on our team that communication director on our team that to me to me to me um so often it was the other way around um so often it was the other way around um so often it was the other way around bart it was the ministries would look at bart it was the ministries would look at bart it was the ministries would look at me and say how are you going to how are me and say how are you going to how are me and say how are you going to how are you jason going to make our event super you jason going to make our event super you jason going to make our event super successful we want tons of people successful we want tons of people successful we want tons of people and i'm like yeah but your event's and i'm like yeah but your event's and i'm like yeah but your event's really for like 20 people i'm like so i really for like 20 people i'm like so i really for like 20 people i'm like so i i said so you want me i said so you want me i said so you want me to to take a funnel and reach the masses to to take a funnel and reach the masses to to take a funnel and reach the masses all to get like 20 people to or 50 all to get like 20 people to or 50 all to get like 20 people to or 50 people at your event so i'm supposed to people at your event so i'm supposed to people at your event so i'm supposed to reach 10 000 people to get 50.

reach 10 000 people to get 50. reach 10 000 people to get 50. we're not going to do that and and this we're not going to do that and and this we're not going to do that and and this is this is maddie's idea she goes that is this is maddie's idea she goes that is this is maddie's idea she goes that funnel we're going to turn it upside funnel we're going to turn it upside funnel we're going to turn it upside down down down we're going to we're going to we're going to reach 50 people or 20 people to get 100 reach 50 people or 20 people to get 100 reach 50 people or 20 people to get 100 people or 200 people and that's how people or 200 people and that's how people or 200 people and that's how you're going to grow your ministry is you're going to grow your ministry is you're going to grow your ministry is you've got to take the people that love you've got to take the people that love you've got to take the people that love and are passionate about what you do and are passionate about what you do and are passionate about what you do and build it from there we will give you and build it from there we will give you and build it from there we will give you the tools and the resources to help you the tools and the resources to help you the tools and the resources to help you do that do that do that but unless it's all church unless our but unless it's all church unless our but unless it's all church unless our lead pastor is going we're pushing this lead pastor is going we're pushing this lead pastor is going we're pushing this then that's how that's the strategy then that's how that's the strategy then that's how that's the strategy that's least what i that's least what i that's least what i used to do and what i always recommend used to do and what i always recommend used to do and what i always recommend sarah do you kind of take the same sarah do you kind of take the same sarah do you kind of take the same approach or approach or approach or what's that look like yeah what's that look like yeah what's that look like yeah yeah very similar um yeah very similar um yeah very similar um i i think one of the biggest things that i i think one of the biggest things that i i think one of the biggest things that i one of the things i'm very passionate i one of the things i'm very passionate i one of the things i'm very passionate about within the world of communications about within the world of communications about within the world of communications is is is a more targeted approach to things so i a more targeted approach to things so i a more targeted approach to things so i think a lot of churches and it i mean think a lot of churches and it i mean think a lot of churches and it i mean it's easy to do this but it's easy to do this but it's easy to do this but i think a lot of churches look at you i think a lot of churches look at you i think a lot of churches look at you know we have to communicate this event know we have to communicate this event know we have to communicate this event for the specific group of people or for the specific group of people or for the specific group of people or something like that and think well then something like that and think well then something like that and think well then we should just say it to everybody we we should just say it to everybody we we should just say it to everybody we should send an email to our whole church should send an email to our whole church should send an email to our whole church we should say it from stage where we should say it from stage where we should say it from stage where everybody is and i'm like everybody is and i'm like everybody is and i'm like but only about 10 of the people in the but only about 10 of the people in the but only about 10 of the people in the room room room actually need to be there or you know actually need to be there or you know actually need to be there or you know it's not for everyone else so let's be it's not for everyone else so let's be it's not for everyone else so let's be careful about where we're sending these careful about where we're sending these careful about where we're sending these messages and where we're promoting messages and where we're promoting messages and where we're promoting certain things certain things certain things but then on the other side of that too i but then on the other side of that too i but then on the other side of that too i think we can be much more effective in think we can be much more effective in think we can be much more effective in our communication when we choose the our communication when we choose the our communication when we choose the right audience right audience right audience our world is very noisy and we all have

our world is very noisy and we all have our world is very noisy and we all have a lot of information coming at us all a lot of information coming at us all a lot of information coming at us all day every day in a bunch of different day every day in a bunch of different day every day in a bunch of different ways and so i think we're not doing a ways and so i think we're not doing a ways and so i think we're not doing a great job if we don't great job if we don't great job if we don't kind of filter through those things and kind of filter through those things and kind of filter through those things and say well how's this going to be valuable say well how's this going to be valuable say well how's this going to be valuable to you and start with that and so if to you and start with that and so if to you and start with that and so if we're communicating something that you we're communicating something that you we're communicating something that you know is not really for everyone but know is not really for everyone but know is not really for everyone but we're trying to communicate it to we're trying to communicate it to we're trying to communicate it to everyone everyone everyone we'll lose probably 90 of the people we'll lose probably 90 of the people we'll lose probably 90 of the people along the way because they think well along the way because they think well along the way because they think well that's not for me and so they they tune that's not for me and so they they tune that's not for me and so they they tune out and then we've lost them for the out and then we've lost them for the out and then we've lost them for the next thing we want to say that's right next thing we want to say that's right next thing we want to say that's right so so so i really try to um i really try to um i really try to um you know i'm involved in our stage you know i'm involved in our stage you know i'm involved in our stage communication also as far as communication also as far as communication also as far as working with our production team and on working with our production team and on working with our production team and on a sunday morning what said from stage a sunday morning what said from stage a sunday morning what said from stage and so a lot of times and so a lot of times and so a lot of times if we get if we get if we get you know a department saying hey we you know a department saying hey we you know a department saying hey we would like for this thing to be would like for this thing to be would like for this thing to be communicated communicated communicated from stage or you know an email that from stage or you know an email that from stage or you know an email that goes to everybody if if i think hey i goes to everybody if if i think hey i goes to everybody if if i think hey i don't i don't think that that's really don't i don't think that that's really don't i don't think that that's really for everyone um i try to be careful for everyone um i try to be careful for everyone um i try to be careful about about about again being supportive to them but again being supportive to them but again being supportive to them but saying saying saying not just no we're not going to do that not just no we're not going to do that not just no we're not going to do that but hey i don't think that's the right but hey i don't think that's the right but hey i don't think that's the right space for that so let's think through a space for that so let's think through a space for that so let's think through a different approach we can you know we different approach we can you know we different approach we can you know we have great capabilities with technology have great capabilities with technology have great capabilities with technology now to figure out we have this huge now to figure out we have this huge now to figure out we have this huge email list where we can find out all email list where we can find out all email list where we can find out all sorts of things about how people are sorts of things about how people are sorts of things about how people are interacting with our content to know interacting with our content to know interacting with our content to know who's actually going to be interested in who's actually going to be interested in who's actually going to be interested in this thing and then let's target them this thing and then let's target them this thing and then let's target them because it really is going to be because it really is going to be because it really is going to be valuable to them it's a great thing that valuable to them it's a great thing that valuable to them it's a great thing that we're doing um but let's just make sure we're doing um but let's just make sure we're doing um but let's just make sure it's to the right audience at the it's to the right audience at the it's to the right audience at the appropriate time in the right way yeah

appropriate time in the right way yeah appropriate time in the right way yeah yeah that's the song i sing the right yeah that's the song i sing the right yeah that's the song i sing the right message to the right audience on the message to the right audience on the message to the right audience on the right platform in the right timing those right platform in the right timing those right platform in the right timing those four things you have to discern those four things you have to discern those four things you have to discern those things hey quick question what church things hey quick question what church things hey quick question what church management software do you guys use for management software do you guys use for management software do you guys use for your your communication for like your your communication for like your your communication for like emailing and stuff emailing and stuff emailing and stuff that's all through mailchimp um and we that's all through mailchimp um and we that's all through mailchimp um and we actually should do all of your emailing actually should do all of your emailing actually should do all of your emailing through mailchimp okay yeah it's all through mailchimp okay yeah it's all through mailchimp okay yeah it's all through mailchimp mm-hmm through mailchimp mm-hmm through mailchimp mm-hmm okay okay okay cool cool cool that's simple that's simple that's simple yeah yeah yeah yeah just like we can check yeah just like we can check yeah just like we can check yeah yeah yeah i don't really have a lot of brand new i don't really have a lot of brand new i don't really have a lot of brand new things to say there i'm just using what things to say there i'm just using what things to say there i'm just using what works works works that's that's great that's key that's that's that's great that's key that's that's that's great that's key that's key yeah we need to uh we need to land key yeah we need to uh we need to land key yeah we need to uh we need to land the plane on this thing um but before we the plane on this thing um but before we the plane on this thing um but before we do i just wanted to make sure that if do i just wanted to make sure that if do i just wanted to make sure that if there is there anything that you wish there is there anything that you wish there is there anything that you wish that we had asked you or you'd like to that we had asked you or you'd like to that we had asked you or you'd like to share that you think might be pertinent share that you think might be pertinent share that you think might be pertinent for our audience that we didn't kind of for our audience that we didn't kind of for our audience that we didn't kind of hit on today we kind of went in a bunch hit on today we kind of went in a bunch hit on today we kind of went in a bunch of different directions with the of different directions with the of different directions with the conversation but i want to make sure conversation but i want to make sure conversation but i want to make sure that if there's anything that was kind that if there's anything that was kind that if there's anything that was kind of burning that you wanted to share that of burning that you wanted to share that of burning that you wanted to share that i gave you the opportunity to do that i gave you the opportunity to do that i gave you the opportunity to do that um i think the only thing is i'm just um i think the only thing is i'm just um i think the only thing is i'm just this is just something that i care a lot this is just something that i care a lot this is just something that i care a lot about in the world of communications and about in the world of communications and about in the world of communications and i i talked about it just a little bit um i i talked about it just a little bit um i i talked about it just a little bit um in our our last uh bit of conversation in our our last uh bit of conversation in our our last uh bit of conversation but um i think it's just so important to but um i think it's just so important to but um i think it's just so important to think through in all of our think through in all of our think through in all of our communication think through the lens of communication think through the lens of communication think through the lens of why does this matter to somebody what's why does this matter to somebody what's why does this matter to somebody what's the benefit what's the value here and the benefit what's the value here and the benefit what's the value here and start with that um start with that um start with that um that's been a huge focus of mine since i that's been a huge focus of mine since i that's been a huge focus of mine since i started in this role started in this role started in this role i think it's very easy in

i think it's very easy in i think it's very easy in in church world and outside of church in church world and outside of church in church world and outside of church world but certainly within this context world but certainly within this context world but certainly within this context to want to present things to people as to want to present things to people as to want to present things to people as hey we're doing this thing and you hey we're doing this thing and you hey we're doing this thing and you should come because we're doing it so should come because we're doing it so should come because we're doing it so that's you know we just make an that's you know we just make an that's you know we just make an announcement about something like hey announcement about something like hey announcement about something like hey you should just be part of this thing you should just be part of this thing you should just be part of this thing and here are the details but i think and here are the details but i think and here are the details but i think we've got to be really diligent in this we've got to be really diligent in this we've got to be really diligent in this role um and in this world about thinking role um and in this world about thinking role um and in this world about thinking through through through benefit first lead with value because benefit first lead with value because benefit first lead with value because what we're doing is really important and what we're doing is really important and what we're doing is really important and we really believe it will make someone's we really believe it will make someone's we really believe it will make someone's life better so i think um life better so i think um life better so i think um the the role of you know these and the the role of you know these and the the role of you know these and anyone in communications director or you anyone in communications director or you anyone in communications director or you know volunteer anyone sitting in this know volunteer anyone sitting in this know volunteer anyone sitting in this kind of a seat kind of a seat kind of a seat um i think it's worth the work to to um i think it's worth the work to to um i think it's worth the work to to figure out why does this matter to figure out why does this matter to figure out why does this matter to people start with that craft a really people start with that craft a really people start with that craft a really good message because it matters and it good message because it matters and it good message because it matters and it can really get people to lean in can really get people to lean in can really get people to lean in love it that's awesome sarah if anybody love it that's awesome sarah if anybody love it that's awesome sarah if anybody that's listening or watching the podcast that's listening or watching the podcast that's listening or watching the podcast today is just kind of curious about today is just kind of curious about today is just kind of curious about anything that you've shared and they'd anything that you've shared and they'd anything that you've shared and they'd like to drill down on any of this stuff like to drill down on any of this stuff like to drill down on any of this stuff what's the best way for them to get in what's the best way for them to get in what's the best way for them to get in touch with you touch with you touch with you probably by email or social media so um probably by email or social media so um probably by email or social media so um i can be found on the net church website i can be found on the net church website i can be found on the net church website one at church.org there's a staff page one at church.org there's a staff page one at church.org there's a staff page there um and so people can email me there um and so people can email me there um and so people can email me directly from there or um send me a dm directly from there or um send me a dm directly from there or um send me a dm on instagram uh sarah with an h k on instagram uh sarah with an h k on instagram uh sarah with an h k robinson uh r o b i no n yes no middle robinson uh r o b i no n yes no middle robinson uh r o b i no n yes no middle end end end robin robinson all right we got it hey robin robinson all right we got it hey robin robinson all right we got it hey sarah we really appreciate uh you here

sarah we really appreciate uh you here sarah we really appreciate uh you here we are easter week uh what people that we are easter week uh what people that we are easter week uh what people that are watching this or listening to this are watching this or listening to this are watching this or listening to this don't realize is that uh today is the don't realize is that uh today is the don't realize is that uh today is the day before good friday and so you've day before good friday and so you've day before good friday and so you've taken uh some time out of your very busy taken uh some time out of your very busy taken uh some time out of your very busy i'm sure easter schedule to hang out i'm sure easter schedule to hang out i'm sure easter schedule to hang out with us and to bless our audience we with us and to bless our audience we with us and to bless our audience we appreciate that thanks so much appreciate that thanks so much appreciate that thanks so much thank you guys so much this has been thank you guys so much this has been thank you guys so much this has been great thanks for letting me be part of great thanks for letting me be part of great thanks for letting me be part of the conversation