Joanna la Fleur offers Practical Help for Balancing Communications in Your Church

designed pickle is a big supporter of designed pickle is a big supporter of everything on seminary if you haven't everything on seminary if you haven't everything on seminary if you haven't heard they are a flat-rate unlimited use heard they are a flat-rate unlimited use heard they are a flat-rate unlimited use graphic design service helping churches graphic design service helping churches graphic design service helping churches across the nation we're a proud line of across the nation we're a proud line of across the nation we're a proud line of theirs and love how they help us make theirs and love how they help us make theirs and love how they help us make social media graphics and those social media graphics and those social media graphics and those downloadable PDF article summaries that downloadable PDF article summaries that downloadable PDF article summaries that we've been sending out even if you have we've been sending out even if you have we've been sending out even if you have a designer you need to check them out to a designer you need to check them out to a designer you need to check them out to learn more visit design pickle calm learn more visit design pickle calm learn more visit design pickle calm forwards last searches on that same page forwards last searches on that same page forwards last searches on that same page you can watch a totally free 30-minute you can watch a totally free 30-minute you can watch a totally free 30-minute video of me and the founder of design video of me and the founder of design video of me and the founder of design pickle talking about modern church pickle talking about modern church pickle talking about modern church marketing and of course pickles welcome marketing and of course pickles welcome marketing and of course pickles welcome to the seminary podcast are you looking to the seminary podcast are you looking to the seminary podcast are you looking for practical ministry helps to drive for practical ministry helps to drive for practical ministry helps to drive your ministry further faster have a your ministry further faster have a your ministry further faster have a sinking feeling that your ministry sinking feeling that your ministry sinking feeling that your ministry training didn't prepare you for the real training didn't prepare you for the real training didn't prepare you for the real world hey you're not alone join world hey you're not alone join world hey you're not alone join thousands of others in pursuit of stuff thousands of others in pursuit of stuff thousands of others in pursuit of stuff that we wish they had taught in seminary that we wish they had taught in seminary that we wish they had taught in seminary buckle up and let's get started with buckle up and let's get started with buckle up and let's get started with this week on seminary podcast well hi this week on seminary podcast well hi this week on seminary podcast well hi everybody welcome to the unsub inary everybody welcome to the unsub inary everybody welcome to the unsub inary podcast my name is rich i'm so glad that podcast my name is rich i'm so glad that podcast my name is rich i'm so glad that you've decided to tune in today so you've decided to tune in today so you've decided to tune in today so excited to have Joanna lafleur with us excited to have Joanna lafleur with us excited to have Joanna lafleur with us from seaforth church this is a great from seaforth church this is a great from seaforth church this is a great church that you need to be following church that you need to be following church that you need to be following Canadian church on the outskirts of Canadian church on the outskirts of Canadian church on the outskirts of Toronto and joanna is the creative Toronto and joanna is the creative Toronto and joanna is the creative director there so why don't you tell us director there so why don't you tell us director there so why don't you tell us a little bit about c4 and about your a little bit about c4 and about your a little bit about c4 and about your role yes I'm on the communications role yes I'm on the communications role yes I'm on the communications creative communications director but creative communications director but creative communications director but that's fine I just because there's some that's fine I just because there's some that's fine I just because there's some other people with the word creative in other people with the word creative in other people with the word creative in their job at my church and I don't do their job at my church and I don't do their job at my church and I don't do their jobs as well actually I only have their jobs as well actually I only have their jobs as well actually I only have my own but that yes p4 is a is a church

my own but that yes p4 is a is a church my own but that yes p4 is a is a church on the in the suburbs of Toronto mainly on the in the suburbs of Toronto mainly on the in the suburbs of Toronto mainly suburban by philosoph families diverse suburban by philosoph families diverse suburban by philosoph families diverse types of families and our community and types of families and our community and types of families and our community and we also have because it's a commuting we also have because it's a commuting we also have because it's a commuting area we also have a lot of young adults area we also have a lot of young adults area we also have a lot of young adults who are living with their parents and who are living with their parents and who are living with their parents and commuting into schools and work in the commuting into schools and work in the commuting into schools and work in the city and so we're church of a I say word city and so we're church of a I say word city and so we're church of a I say word church about 3,000 now we have two church about 3,000 now we have two church about 3,000 now we have two locations January 17 were announcing locations January 17 were announcing locations January 17 were announcing where our third location infinity so where our third location infinity so where our third location infinity so excited about that excited to launch excited about that excited to launch excited about that excited to launch another location and we're just trying another location and we're just trying another location and we're just trying to learn how to do that and actually to learn how to do that and actually to learn how to do that and actually rich you've been at you've been a rich you've been at you've been a rich you've been at you've been a help to us as a church in and learning help to us as a church in and learning help to us as a church in and learning how to do that and yeah we're having a how to do that and yeah we're having a how to do that and yeah we're having a ton of fun so I've been I've been part ton of fun so I've been I've been part ton of fun so I've been I've been part of the church myself in a tale of two of the church myself in a tale of two of the church myself in a tale of two parts I was I was a high school youth parts I was I was a high school youth parts I was I was a high school youth group student at the church and my old group student at the church and my old group student at the church and my old youth pastor I went away to the youth pastor I went away to the youth pastor I went away to the University and live in another city for University and live in another city for University and live in another city for work and for school and I studied work and for school and I studied work and for school and I studied business and communications and my old business and communications and my old business and communications and my old youth pastor had become the senior youth pastor had become the senior youth pastor had become the senior leader of the church John Thompson and leader of the church John Thompson and leader of the church John Thompson and the so he calls me up one day and tells the so he calls me up one day and tells the so he calls me up one day and tells me he's got this job for me at c4 and at me he's got this job for me at c4 and at me he's got this job for me at c4 and at the time I was doing something else and the time I was doing something else and the time I was doing something else and very happy doing it but he called me a very happy doing it but he called me a very happy doing it but he called me a few times it may it really I began to few times it may it really I began to few times it may it really I began to pray about it was clear that God was pray about it was clear that God was pray about it was clear that God was doing something really quite special in doing something really quite special in doing something really quite special in that community in that church and he was that community in that church and he was that community in that church and he was inviting me to go back home to be part inviting me to go back home to be part inviting me to go back home to be part of it so I started my work in

of it so I started my work in of it so I started my work in communications in high school ministry communications in high school ministry communications in high school ministry as a teenager and then many years later as a teenager and then many years later as a teenager and then many years later I came back in 2010 i came back i worked I came back in 2010 i came back i worked I came back in 2010 i came back i worked there again and so I've been there ever there again and so I've been there ever there again and so I've been there ever since nice and I'm for us in since nice and I'm for us in since nice and I'm for us in communications in the church in the communications in the church in the communications in the church in the creative world it didn't really exist creative world it didn't really exist creative world it didn't really exist when i started in 2010 and it became when i started in 2010 and it became when i started in 2010 and it became sort of a side project that became like sort of a side project that became like sort of a side project that became like a legitimate piece of my job it became a legitimate piece of my job it became a legitimate piece of my job it became then my full job and then it moved into then my full job and then it moved into then my full job and then it moved into actually becoming a full department as I actually becoming a full department as I actually becoming a full department as I think weaving increasingly showed the think weaving increasingly showed the think weaving increasingly showed the value of great communication and how it value of great communication and how it value of great communication and how it is so significant to the whole life of is so significant to the whole life of is so significant to the whole life of the church and we've been able to grow the church and we've been able to grow the church and we've been able to grow as we kind of proved our our work as a as we kind of proved our our work as a as we kind of proved our our work as a department and we've been able to grow department and we've been able to grow department and we've been able to grow as the church is also grown I'm probably as the church is also grown I'm probably as the church is also grown I'm probably part of the church that's very cool well part of the church that's very cool well part of the church that's very cool well I can imagine and I know having done a I can imagine and I know having done a I can imagine and I know having done a bunch of that kind of work that you know bunch of that kind of work that you know bunch of that kind of work that you know trying to keep the you know I always trying to keep the you know I always trying to keep the you know I always make the air traffic controller joke to make the air traffic controller joke to make the air traffic controller joke to focusing communications there's so many focusing communications there's so many focusing communications there's so many different messages churches are their different messages churches are their different messages churches are their idea factories and so they love to have idea factories and so they love to have idea factories and so they love to have different you know lots of different different you know lots of different different you know lots of different things happening all the time and not to things happening all the time and not to things happening all the time and not to the fence and how are you kind of the fence and how are you kind of the fence and how are you kind of keeping all those planes from not keeping all those planes from not keeping all those planes from not smashing into each other in the sky or smashing into each other in the sky or smashing into each other in the sky or keeping as few a number of those keeping as few a number of those keeping as few a number of those possible possible possible asking each other to this guy and kind asking each other to this guy and kind asking each other to this guy and kind of keeping everybody focused on what you of keeping everybody focused on what you of keeping everybody focused on what you need to focus on at c4 yeah well one of need to focus on at c4 yeah well one of need to focus on at c4 yeah well one of the big and practical ways that we do

the big and practical ways that we do the big and practical ways that we do that is through well under our that is through well under our that is through well under our communication policies we created a big communication policies we created a big communication policies we created a big document that has been revised and document that has been revised and document that has been revised and continues to need revision over time as continues to need revision over time as continues to need revision over time as we grow and change but the main way we we grow and change but the main way we we grow and change but the main way we do that is to something we call scope do that is to something we call scope do that is to something we call scope and so we use language of scope a B and and so we use language of scope a B and and so we use language of scope a B and C at our church to to describe how we're C at our church to to describe how we're C at our church to to describe how we're going to figure out how to communicate going to figure out how to communicate going to figure out how to communicate different things because just as you say different things because just as you say different things because just as you say every Church has all kinds of events every Church has all kinds of events every Church has all kinds of events initiative programs ministries no matter initiative programs ministries no matter initiative programs ministries no matter the size there's all kinds of things the size there's all kinds of things the size there's all kinds of things going on in the life of a church because going on in the life of a church because going on in the life of a church because we're reaching all kinds of different we're reaching all kinds of different we're reaching all kinds of different types of people in all kinds of ways and types of people in all kinds of ways and types of people in all kinds of ways and so and of course everybody has the thing so and of course everybody has the thing so and of course everybody has the thing that they're most passionate about and that they're most passionate about and that they're most passionate about and their favorite thing that they would their favorite thing that they would their favorite thing that they would love for example they would love the love for example they would love the love for example they would love the senior leader or the preachings person senior leader or the preachings person senior leader or the preachings person to spin on the stage and tell the to spin on the stage and tell the to spin on the stage and tell the congregation why that thing is so congregation why that thing is so congregation why that thing is so important and not everything in a important and not everything in a important and not everything in a certainly not in a church of our size we certainly not in a church of our size we certainly not in a church of our size we just can't communicate everything from just can't communicate everything from just can't communicate everything from the stage it would turn into like an the stage it would turn into like an the stage it would turn into like an hour of announcements and then what of hour of announcements and then what of hour of announcements and then what of course i would do is that nothing course i would do is that nothing course i would do is that nothing everything gets lost if you communicate everything gets lost if you communicate everything gets lost if you communicate everything from the stage nothing feels everything from the stage nothing feels everything from the stage nothing feels meaningful and so we had to figure out a meaningful and so we had to figure out a meaningful and so we had to figure out a way of how to negotiate that and how to way of how to negotiate that and how to way of how to negotiate that and how to really rather than playing favorite how really rather than playing favorite how really rather than playing favorite how to really fairly allocate communication to really fairly allocate communication to really fairly allocate communication resources around the church so we do

resources around the church so we do resources around the church so we do that through something called soap yeah that through something called soap yeah that through something called soap yeah why don't we take that apart how kind of why don't we take that apart how kind of why don't we take that apart how kind of long winds up in ABC how do you decide long winds up in ABC how do you decide long winds up in ABC how do you decide I'm sure that's all peace and goodness I'm sure that's all peace and goodness I'm sure that's all peace and goodness at c4 there's never any conflict between at c4 there's never any conflict between at c4 there's never any conflict between the scopes but you know help me the scopes but you know help me the scopes but you know help me understand how that works yes so scope a understand how that works yes so scope a understand how that works yes so scope a will be Sophie are not exactly about the will be Sophie are not exactly about the will be Sophie are not exactly about the size of the ministry for more the scope size of the ministry for more the scope size of the ministry for more the scope or the breads and strategic purpose of or the breads and strategic purpose of or the breads and strategic purpose of the event the program and maybe it could the event the program and maybe it could the event the program and maybe it could even be a whole ministry area so even be a whole ministry area so even be a whole ministry area so something that's scope a for us be something that's scope a for us be something that's scope a for us be something that has cured something that has cured something that has cured wyd value and impact everyone in the wyd value and impact everyone in the wyd value and impact everyone in the church needs to know about it they church needs to know about it they church needs to know about it they should or could be involved in that should or could be involved in that should or could be involved in that event program activity or ministry so event program activity or ministry so event program activity or ministry so obviously a great example would be obviously a great example would be obviously a great example would be Christmas and Easter those would be Christmas and Easter those would be Christmas and Easter those would be events that we want the entire church to events that we want the entire church to events that we want the entire church to be involved in and so they would be at be involved in and so they would be at be involved in and so they would be at like a scope a scoby would be something like a scope a scoby would be something like a scope a scoby would be something we describe as about fifty percent of we describe as about fifty percent of we describe as about fifty percent of people could should or would want to be people could should or would want to be people could should or would want to be involved or strategically we view it at involved or strategically we view it at involved or strategically we view it at that sort of fifty percent engagement that sort of fifty percent engagement that sort of fifty percent engagement level so a great example of that is level so a great example of that is level so a great example of that is always something that would be like a always something that would be like a always something that would be like a men's conference or a women's event men's conference or a women's event men's conference or a women's event literally fifty percent of the people literally fifty percent of the people literally fifty percent of the people cannot participate so let's figure out a cannot participate so let's figure out a cannot participate so let's figure out a way to best communicate to the fifty way to best communicate to the fifty way to best communicate to the fifty percent of people that can and then percent of people that can and then percent of people that can and then scope see for us is really specific scope see for us is really specific scope see for us is really specific niche groups that by agent stage or by niche groups that by agent stage or by niche groups that by agent stage or by specific meet up in those or care

specific meet up in those or care specific meet up in those or care ministries things that because of what ministries things that because of what ministries things that because of what they are only a certain different people they are only a certain different people they are only a certain different people could possibly be invited to come so if could possibly be invited to come so if could possibly be invited to come so if it was an event for junior high students it was an event for junior high students it was an event for junior high students you only can call if you're a junior you only can call if you're a junior you only can call if you're a junior high student you cannot convert it for high student you cannot convert it for high student you cannot convert it for 25 you cannot if you're five years old 25 you cannot if you're five years old 25 you cannot if you're five years old you can't come up your parents it's just you can't come up your parents it's just you can't come up your parents it's just for junior high and in the same way for junior high and in the same way for junior high and in the same way maybe if it was a group for we had maybe if it was a group for we had maybe if it was a group for we had something called griefshare you know something called griefshare you know something called griefshare you know something for people who are who are in something for people who are who are in something for people who are who are in grief and loss in their life for some grief and loss in their life for some grief and loss in their life for some reason and so that's a group at a scope reason and so that's a group at a scope reason and so that's a group at a scope see not because it isn't hugely see not because it isn't hugely see not because it isn't hugely significant that we care for people in a significant that we care for people in a significant that we care for people in a time of grief and loss but because you time of grief and loss but because you time of grief and loss but because you can only participate in the group if can only participate in the group if can only participate in the group if that comes to hang on in your life I that comes to hang on in your life I that comes to hang on in your life I felt we go home no I'm just going to say felt we go home no I'm just going to say felt we go home no I'm just going to say you know pull that apart maybe give some you know pull that apart maybe give some you know pull that apart maybe give some examples of you know things that may end examples of you know things that may end examples of you know things that may end up in different scopes and the other up in different scopes and the other up in different scopes and the other thing I just want to tease out is your thing I just want to tease out is your thing I just want to tease out is your defining scope by you know the activity defining scope by you know the activity defining scope by you know the activity not necessarily the department area not necessarily the department area not necessarily the department area right like there is kind of there may be right like there is kind of there may be right like there is kind of there may be some things that are you know that our some things that are you know that our some things that are you know that our scope see in areas that may have why scope see in areas that may have why scope see in areas that may have why didn't you know influence but and maybe didn't you know influence but and maybe didn't you know influence but and maybe can I explain those two those two can I explain those two those two can I explain those two those two dynamics a little more yeah sure like dynamics a little more yeah sure like dynamics a little more yeah sure like some some some mean but generally a lot of the things mean but generally a lot of the things mean but generally a lot of the things you would do for like a care ministry or you would do for like a care ministry or you would do for like a care ministry or support minister for people who are in support minister for people who are in support minister for people who are in need in our community most of those need in our community most of those need in our community most of those activities are scope see because of the activities are scope see because of the activities are scope see because of the reach of that activity but that's that reach of that activity but that's that reach of that activity but that's that it's Christmastime those activities go it's Christmastime those activities go it's Christmastime those activities go up to scope a for us we become strategic

up to scope a for us we become strategic up to scope a for us we become strategic initiatives of our church that we want initiatives of our church that we want initiatives of our church that we want the entire church to be engaged with at the entire church to be engaged with at the entire church to be engaged with at Christmas time to be able to give to be Christmas time to be able to give to be Christmas time to be able to give to be able to even just know even if they're able to even just know even if they're able to even just know even if they're not able to give their time or their not able to give their time or their not able to give their time or their resources or their money to participate resources or their money to participate resources or their money to participate in a project for people in need we in a project for people in need we in a project for people in need we really want them to know at really want them to know at really want them to know at Christmastime how we're engaging and in Christmastime how we're engaging and in Christmastime how we're engaging and in the midst of our local community and so the midst of our local community and so the midst of our local community and so we're inviting people over to various we're inviting people over to various we're inviting people over to various events and that will become something events and that will become something events and that will become something that like moves up at Christmas time that like moves up at Christmas time that like moves up at Christmas time into into something that we would call into into something that we would call into into something that we would call scope a and so what we're really doing scope a and so what we're really doing scope a and so what we're really doing when we when we move things in the scope when we when we move things in the scope when we when we move things in the scope a scoby scope see is we're trying to be a scoby scope see is we're trying to be a scoby scope see is we're trying to be strategic we're trying to say where are strategic we're trying to say where are strategic we're trying to say where are the people that we want to talk to and the people that we want to talk to and the people that we want to talk to and how best can we talk to them how best how best can we talk to them how best how best can we talk to them how best can we talk with this done maybe can we talk with this done maybe can we talk with this done maybe communicate back and forth and so you communicate back and forth and so you communicate back and forth and so you know we know even through stats and know we know even through stats and know we know even through stats and stuff like social media if you have stuff like social media if you have stuff like social media if you have something that you want to communicate something that you want to communicate something that you want to communicate to guys we just know statistically both to guys we just know statistically both to guys we just know statistically both in our own church but also in the world in our own church but also in the world in our own church but also in the world that Facebook is not a place that a lot that Facebook is not a place that a lot that Facebook is not a place that a lot of men hang out so we know that a great of men hang out so we know that a great of men hang out so we know that a great place to reach men would be things like place to reach men would be things like place to reach men would be things like Twitter and email I met approaches face Twitter and email I met approaches face Twitter and email I met approaches face to face communication talking to you or to face communication talking to you or to face communication talking to you or your buddies one-on-one those would be your buddies one-on-one those would be your buddies one-on-one those would be great ways to do it but so because it's great ways to do it but so because it's great ways to do it but so because it's often a men's thing might be in a scope often a men's thing might be in a scope often a men's thing might be in a scope be for us we would see what B would be be for us we would see what B would be be for us we would see what B would be available in that list of things you available in that list of things you available in that list of things you know a scoby event might have a whole know a scoby event might have a whole know a scoby event might have a whole list of things that we we could do we list of things that we we could do we list of things that we we could do we might be postcards we have posters we

might be postcards we have posters we might be postcards we have posters we have we might have a Facebook group a have we might have a Facebook group a have we might have a Facebook group a facebook event there might be Twitter we facebook event there might be Twitter we facebook event there might be Twitter we might I don't know we might want to if might I don't know we might want to if might I don't know we might want to if it was something for younger people we it was something for younger people we it was something for younger people we might start texting everybody or stuff might start texting everybody or stuff might start texting everybody or stuff but then we would not only within open but then we would not only within open but then we would not only within open we have a list of ways we might want to we have a list of ways we might want to we have a list of ways we might want to communicate that particular event or communicate that particular event or communicate that particular event or ministry program but beyond that we'd ministry program but beyond that we'd ministry program but beyond that we'd say okay but who are the people who we say okay but who are the people who we say okay but who are the people who we want to reach want to reach want to reach and then underneath that scope what is and then underneath that scope what is and then underneath that scope what is the best way to reach backwards of the best way to reach backwards of the best way to reach backwards of people and so it moves away from Davis's people and so it moves away from Davis's people and so it moves away from Davis's is one of the best things that we found is one of the best things that we found is one of the best things that we found about it it's not about well we just about it it's not about well we just about it it's not about well we just like this thing and so it's our bridge like this thing and so it's our bridge like this thing and so it's our bridge my favorite or it's the senior leaders my favorite or it's the senior leaders my favorite or it's the senior leaders favorite or the person who the squeaky favorite or the person who the squeaky favorite or the person who the squeaky wheel gets the oil you know the person wheel gets the oil you know the person wheel gets the oil you know the person who complains the most is going to get who complains the most is going to get who complains the most is going to get the most promotion it's actually a the most promotion it's actually a the most promotion it's actually a strategic decision we made in advance in strategic decision we made in advance in strategic decision we made in advance in these documents about how best to these documents about how best to these documents about how best to communicate at each level of soap and communicate at each level of soap and communicate at each level of soap and let's have a conversation at the let's have a conversation at the let's have a conversation at the Ministry about how block to do it based Ministry about how block to do it based Ministry about how block to do it based on what's going on for them yeah the on what's going on for them yeah the on what's going on for them yeah the thing I love about that and that just to thing I love about that and that just to thing I love about that and that just to underline that I love how you've you've underline that I love how you've you've underline that I love how you've you've had this conversation kind of in the had this conversation kind of in the had this conversation kind of in the cold light of day rather than like cold light of day rather than like cold light of day rather than like Saturday afternoon which happens at so Saturday afternoon which happens at so Saturday afternoon which happens at so many churches Saturday afternoon they're many churches Saturday afternoon they're many churches Saturday afternoon they're like there's somebody who's run in an like there's somebody who's run in an like there's somebody who's run in an event and they're like calling around I event and they're like calling around I event and they're like calling around I need to get in the announcements need to get in the announcements need to get in the announcements tomorrow like I need to who can you know tomorrow like I need to who can you know tomorrow like I need to who can you know whose arms oh I have to bend you know whose arms oh I have to bend you know whose arms oh I have to bend you know what you know what year do I have to get what you know what year do I have to get what you know what year do I have to get into to you know to ultimately you know into to you know to ultimately you know into to you know to ultimately you know get my stage time and so I love that

get my stage time and so I love that get my stage time and so I love that you're you know defining that now are you're you know defining that now are you're you know defining that now are there areas that you would say like say there areas that you would say like say there areas that you would say like say for instance I know in our church you for instance I know in our church you for instance I know in our church you know student ministry it wouldn't have know student ministry it wouldn't have know student ministry it wouldn't have you know high school students say yeah you know high school students say yeah you know high school students say yeah there's only high school students can there's only high school students can there's only high school students can participate in that but we would on participate in that but we would on participate in that but we would on occasion highlight that across the occasion highlight that across the occasion highlight that across the entire church because of its strategic entire church because of its strategic entire church because of its strategic importance I'm assuming that you make importance I'm assuming that you make importance I'm assuming that you make those kinds of acceptances you know to those kinds of acceptances you know to those kinds of acceptances you know to the rule you know because you're like the rule you know because you're like the rule you know because you're like bosses you know something a little bit bosses you know something a little bit bosses you know something a little bit different we want to ensure that different we want to ensure that different we want to ensure that everyone knows about it even though you everyone knows about it even though you everyone knows about it even though you know this this kind of and we would do know this this kind of and we would do know this this kind of and we would do it all the time but as an exception to it all the time but as an exception to it all the time but as an exception to what we do I'm assuming you do that kind what we do I'm assuming you do that kind what we do I'm assuming you do that kind of thing yeah well that's what I'm of thing yeah well that's what I'm of thing yeah well that's what I'm trying when I'm talking about it exactly trying when I'm talking about it exactly trying when I'm talking about it exactly I'm trying to lean away from saying a I'm trying to lean away from saying a I'm trying to lean away from saying a whole ministry is still a scoby escopeta whole ministry is still a scoby escopeta whole ministry is still a scoby escopeta see I'm trying to eat use the language see I'm trying to eat use the language see I'm trying to eat use the language of this event or this program or of this event or this program or of this event or this program or activity because within our senior youth activity because within our senior youth activity because within our senior youth or high school ministry we might or high school ministry we might or high school ministry we might generally that's a scope see you have to generally that's a scope see you have to generally that's a scope see you have to be ethical soon to participate so we be ethical soon to participate so we be ethical soon to participate so we have our high school ministry pastor have our high school ministry pastor have our high school ministry pastor he's going to communicate directly with he's going to communicate directly with he's going to communicate directly with his audience he's going to email them his audience he's going to email them his audience he's going to email them he's going to do his announcements on he's going to do his announcements on he's going to do his announcements on stage at his own event like stage at his own event like stage at his own event like going to get on stage at his youth going to get on stage at his youth going to get on stage at his youth nights and talk about stuff he's going nights and talk about stuff he's going nights and talk about stuff he's going to probably have a postcard and things to probably have a postcard and things to probably have a postcard and things like that but on sometimes there's like that but on sometimes there's like that but on sometimes there's something going on in our high school something going on in our high school something going on in our high school ministry that we want to elevate up to ministry that we want to elevate up to ministry that we want to elevate up to maybe it's okay so we want to show a maybe it's okay so we want to show a maybe it's okay so we want to show a video but what's going on in youth video but what's going on in youth video but what's going on in youth ministry to the whole church on Sunday ministry to the whole church on Sunday ministry to the whole church on Sunday morning just celebrate what god is doing morning just celebrate what god is doing morning just celebrate what god is doing there or you know maybe there's a huge

there or you know maybe there's a huge there or you know maybe there's a huge event that we want to rally adult event that we want to rally adult event that we want to rally adult volunteers to come around because a volunteers to come around because a volunteers to come around because a thousand high school students are going thousand high school students are going thousand high school students are going to show up at our building and we need to show up at our building and we need to show up at our building and we need all hands on deck for this you know all hands on deck for this you know all hands on deck for this you know citywide strategic youth event and so citywide strategic youth event and so citywide strategic youth event and so that's where it's not specifically a that's where it's not specifically a that's where it's not specifically a ministry but it's okay that's great oh ministry but it's okay that's great oh ministry but it's okay that's great oh wow wow that's great I i I'm hoping that wow wow that's great I i I'm hoping that wow wow that's great I i I'm hoping that there's that church leaders are leaning there's that church leaders are leaning there's that church leaders are leaning in today because I think you're in today because I think you're in today because I think you're providing some just really great providing some just really great providing some just really great practical you know feedback on how to practical you know feedback on how to practical you know feedback on how to deal which you know your church gets deal which you know your church gets deal which you know your church gets over a hundred people 200 people you get over a hundred people 200 people you get over a hundred people 200 people you get this issue which is how you know there's this issue which is how you know there's this issue which is how you know there's a limited amount is a limited amount of a limited amount is a limited amount of a limited amount is a limited amount of time a little bit amount of you know time a little bit amount of you know time a little bit amount of you know channel time to communicate and I really channel time to communicate and I really channel time to communicate and I really do think that you know as churches grow do think that you know as churches grow do think that you know as churches grow actually what happens is they narrow the actually what happens is they narrow the actually what happens is they narrow the focus on what they pop talk about focus on what they pop talk about focus on what they pop talk about publicly that I don't want to talk less publicly that I don't want to talk less publicly that I don't want to talk less and less about you know all of these you and less about you know all of these you and less about you know all of these you know sub areas and you end up focusing know sub areas and you end up focusing know sub areas and you end up focusing on just a few things and you come back on just a few things and you come back on just a few things and you come back to those time and time again you know to those time and time again you know to those time and time again you know stuff that supposedly pushing forward stuff that supposedly pushing forward stuff that supposedly pushing forward yeah what we see is choice paralysis yeah what we see is choice paralysis yeah what we see is choice paralysis know if you get people 10 different know if you get people 10 different know if you get people 10 different announcements from the stage or prefer announcements from the stage or prefer announcements from the stage or prefer forget to stage anything even if it's an forget to stage anything even if it's an forget to stage anything even if it's an email with 10 different announcements in email with 10 different announcements in email with 10 different announcements in a nemeth nobody knows quite it's a nemeth nobody knows quite it's a nemeth nobody knows quite it's overwhelming they might delete the email overwhelming they might delete the email overwhelming they might delete the email or you're standing on stage droning on or you're standing on stage droning on or you're standing on stage droning on for 10 minutes about the announcements for 10 minutes about the announcements for 10 minutes about the announcements people just tune out so if you say what people just tune out so if you say what people just tune out so if you say what is the most important thing today that is the most important thing today that is the most important thing today that we need to tell people and maybe one or we need to tell people and maybe one or we need to tell people and maybe one or two calls to action and people will most two calls to action and people will most two calls to action and people will most likely do those things but if the more likely do those things but if the more likely do those things but if the more you tell people the less they know what

you tell people the less they know what you tell people the less they know what to do and they end up usually doing none to do and they end up usually doing none to do and they end up usually doing none of the things that's for sure well of the things that's for sure well of the things that's for sure well because you killed them to anything and because you killed them to anything and because you killed them to anything and so the beauty of today though is that we so the beauty of today though is that we so the beauty of today though is that we had so many ways to communicate and most had so many ways to communicate and most had so many ways to communicate and most of them are free it costs no money to of them are free it costs no money to of them are free it costs no money to pick up the phone and call somebody the pick up the phone and call somebody the pick up the phone and call somebody the old-fashioned way because no old-fashioned way because no old-fashioned way because no money to look somebody in the eye tap money to look somebody in the eye tap money to look somebody in the eye tap them on the shoulder and say hey I'm them on the shoulder and say hey I'm them on the shoulder and say hey I'm doing this event and I really think you doing this event and I really think you doing this event and I really think you need to be involved and here's why or it need to be involved and here's why or it need to be involved and here's why or it costs you know very little money and costs you know very little money and costs you know very little money and time and effort it costs time and effort time and effort it costs time and effort time and effort it costs time and effort of course but in terms of financial of course but in terms of financial of course but in terms of financial costs and small budgets that most people costs and small budgets that most people costs and small budgets that most people have even if you're in a large church have even if you're in a large church have even if you're in a large church you're always have subject constraints you're always have subject constraints you're always have subject constraints and so with things like social media and so with things like social media and so with things like social media with things like old-fashioned with things like old-fashioned with things like old-fashioned face-to-face human interaction there's face-to-face human interaction there's face-to-face human interaction there's all kinds of ways that we can continue all kinds of ways that we can continue all kinds of ways that we can continue to communicate with people more than to communicate with people more than to communicate with people more than ever because now we can reach them ever because now we can reach them ever because now we can reach them throughout the week as well through throughout the week as well through throughout the week as well through digital communication and doesn't just digital communication and doesn't just digital communication and doesn't just have to be on a stage from the senior have to be on a stage from the senior have to be on a stage from the senior leader on a semi one very cool this is leader on a semi one very cool this is leader on a semi one very cool this is I've been great super helpful is there I've been great super helpful is there I've been great super helpful is there anything else you want to share before anything else you want to share before anything else you want to share before we move on with the rest of the episode we move on with the rest of the episode we move on with the rest of the episode yeah I guess the only thing it just to yeah I guess the only thing it just to yeah I guess the only thing it just to reemphasize out of that is I think if reemphasize out of that is I think if reemphasize out of that is I think if you plan ahead whatever you call if you you plan ahead whatever you call if you you plan ahead whatever you call if you use scope a sobe sub C or whatever you use scope a sobe sub C or whatever you use scope a sobe sub C or whatever you do whatever the communication plan is I do whatever the communication plan is I do whatever the communication plan is I think if you've made a decision and think if you've made a decision and think if you've made a decision and written it down ahead of time like that written it down ahead of time like that written it down ahead of time like that you've maybe have even if it's a you've maybe have even if it's a you've maybe have even if it's a one-page word document that has some one-page word document that has some one-page word document that has some decisions that have been made in the decisions that have been made in the decisions that have been made in the clear light of day not emotionally about

clear light of day not emotionally about clear light of day not emotionally about how we communicate things as a church how we communicate things as a church how we communicate things as a church then when you enter into a difficult then when you enter into a difficult then when you enter into a difficult conversation or maybe an emotional conversation or maybe an emotional conversation or maybe an emotional conversation or one that you might even conversation or one that you might even conversation or one that you might even be tempted to be biased yourself I'd be tempted to be biased yourself I'd be tempted to be biased yourself I'd allows you to think more clearly and it allows you to think more clearly and it allows you to think more clearly and it allows you to more fairly allocate allows you to more fairly allocate allows you to more fairly allocate resources that are always implemented at resources that are always implemented at resources that are always implemented at the bomb this is the uncinate podcast the bomb this is the uncinate podcast the bomb this is the uncinate podcast stuff you wish they taught in seminary stuff you wish they taught in seminary stuff you wish they taught in seminary we're going to jump into the lightning we're going to jump into the lightning we're going to jump into the lightning round that part of the episode where we round that part of the episode where we round that part of the episode where we ask similar questions of everybody ask similar questions of everybody ask similar questions of everybody that's on the show super honored to have that's on the show super honored to have that's on the show super honored to have Julia Lafleur with us from C for church Julia Lafleur with us from C for church Julia Lafleur with us from C for church great conversation today try now what is great conversation today try now what is great conversation today try now what is it online resource that you're using it online resource that you're using it online resource that you're using these days that's helping you you know these days that's helping you you know these days that's helping you you know I'm always surprised how how I continue I'm always surprised how how I continue I'm always surprised how how I continue to talk to people who don't know about to talk to people who don't know about to talk to people who don't know about something called canva sandbox on something called canva sandbox on something called canva sandbox on raising Jeff tell us about him great I raising Jeff tell us about him great I raising Jeff tell us about him great I may be your listeners all are like yeah may be your listeners all are like yeah may be your listeners all are like yeah this is old news but I find that I keep this is old news but I find that I keep this is old news but I find that I keep meeting people who have never heard of meeting people who have never heard of meeting people who have never heard of it so canva is basically graphic design it so canva is basically graphic design it so canva is basically graphic design for dummies it creates all these plates for dummies it creates all these plates for dummies it creates all these plates for you whether that's an Instagram post for you whether that's an Instagram post for you whether that's an Instagram post or it's um a facebook or it's um a facebook or it's um a facebook or it's a poster or postcard you want to or it's a poster or postcard you want to or it's a poster or postcard you want to do or even like an email template and do or even like an email template and do or even like an email template and what it allows you to do is be somewhat what it allows you to do is be somewhat what it allows you to do is be somewhat with someone with very little sense of with someone with very little sense of with someone with very little sense of how to do graphic design and you can how to do graphic design and you can how to do graphic design and you can drag and drop pictures and text into it drag and drop pictures and text into it drag and drop pictures and text into it and make it look really nice and it's and make it look really nice and it's and make it look really nice and it's free for churches yakima camp is a great free for churches yakima camp is a great free for churches yakima camp is a great tool why canva.com you can apply to use tool why canva.com you can apply to use tool why canva.com you can apply to use it for free if you're a church another it for free if you're a church another it for free if you're a church another thing i'm loving right now is something thing i'm loving right now is something thing i'm loving right now is something called grum grun darko and it's just

called grum grun darko and it's just called grum grun darko and it's just something that we're using to to something that we're using to to something that we're using to to schedule our Instagram in advance schedule our Instagram in advance schedule our Instagram in advance there's a few other tools that people there's a few other tools that people there's a few other tools that people use but we'll look from for that and use but we'll look from for that and use but we'll look from for that and it's really cheap and actually they do it's really cheap and actually they do it's really cheap and actually they do deals every once in a while where you deals every once in a while where you deals every once in a while where you can have a lifetime subscription for 25 can have a lifetime subscription for 25 can have a lifetime subscription for 25 nice great so it keeps awake for that nice great so it keeps awake for that nice great so it keeps awake for that when it comes around what's a book when it comes around what's a book when it comes around what's a book you've read in the last six months I you've read in the last six months I you've read in the last six months I don't know maybe to a year that's had an don't know maybe to a year that's had an don't know maybe to a year that's had an impact in your thinking in ministry yeah impact in your thinking in ministry yeah impact in your thinking in ministry yeah actually something not out of non actually something not out of non actually something not out of non ministry related that I really love this ministry related that I really love this ministry related that I really love this creativity Inc group it's at the book by creativity Inc group it's at the book by creativity Inc group it's at the book by the guy who leads at Disney all things the guy who leads at Disney all things the guy who leads at Disney all things creative and I think whether you're in a creative and I think whether you're in a creative and I think whether you're in a creative fear of church or not it's creative fear of church or not it's creative fear of church or not it's great thinking on leadership on great thinking on leadership on great thinking on leadership on mobilizing teams on bringing renewal two mobilizing teams on bringing renewal two mobilizing teams on bringing renewal two teams that are dying and thinking teams that are dying and thinking teams that are dying and thinking through how as a leader to structure through how as a leader to structure through how as a leader to structure teams and all that kind of separate teams and all that kind of separate teams and all that kind of separate agreement and we all love Disney off so agreement and we all love Disney off so agreement and we all love Disney off so you get a little bit about you get a little bit about you get a little bit about behind-the-scenes peek into cause some behind-the-scenes peek into cause some behind-the-scenes peek into cause some of that stuff that we've all seen how of that stuff that we've all seen how of that stuff that we've all seen how come together yeah it's a great book i come together yeah it's a great book i come together yeah it's a great book i love the opening of it i'm not giving love the opening of it i'm not giving love the opening of it i'm not giving anything away so but ed catmull is the anything away so but ed catmull is the anything away so but ed catmull is the guy who wrote it and he tells us it guy who wrote it and he tells us it guy who wrote it and he tells us it starts out with this amazing story about starts out with this amazing story about starts out with this amazing story about how basically him and john Lassiter's how basically him and john Lassiter's how basically him and john Lassiter's lifelong dream was to make a full-length lifelong dream was to make a full-length lifelong dream was to make a full-length you know 3d animated feature and what you know 3d animated feature and what you know 3d animated feature and what happens is they the book starts with the happens is they the book starts with the happens is they the book starts with the opening of toy story and then it's a opening of toy story and then it's a opening of toy story and then it's a little bit of like okay so we've done little bit of like okay so we've done little bit of like okay so we've done our dream now what you know like and our dream now what you know like and our dream now what you know like and then it tells the story of how you know then it tells the story of how you know then it tells the story of how you know ultimately you know add particularly

ultimately you know add particularly ultimately you know add particularly gave himself to building you know not gave himself to building you know not gave himself to building you know not only just creative works but an only just creative works but an only just creative works but an organization that builds which they've organization that builds which they've organization that builds which they've gone on obviously Pixar has gone on to gone on obviously Pixar has gone on to gone on obviously Pixar has gone on to be incredibly popular and you know I be incredibly popular and you know I be incredibly popular and you know I think they're 14 number one movies in a think they're 14 number one movies in a think they're 14 number one movies in a row which is historically unprecedented row which is historically unprecedented row which is historically unprecedented so so so at school that's a great book what's at school that's a great book what's at school that's a great book what's about the ministry that you're looking about the ministry that you're looking about the ministry that you're looking to these days that inspires you well you to these days that inspires you well you to these days that inspires you well you know most recently I spent a bit of time know most recently I spent a bit of time know most recently I spent a bit of time with something called movement day in with something called movement day in with something called movement day in New York City and it's basically a New York City and it's basically a New York City and it's basically a gathering of churches from across the gathering of churches from across the gathering of churches from across the city and so it's not a church ola Tim city and so it's not a church ola Tim city and so it's not a church ola Tim Keller I think it's Redeemer Keller I think it's Redeemer Keller I think it's Redeemer Presbyterian it's a message church is Presbyterian it's a message church is Presbyterian it's a message church is one of the leaders of this initiative one of the leaders of this initiative one of the leaders of this initiative but but it's a group of churches across but but it's a group of churches across but but it's a group of churches across the whole island of New York and into the whole island of New York and into the whole island of New York and into the bra system into Brooklyn but they're the bra system into Brooklyn but they're the bra system into Brooklyn but they're they're doing some amazing things that I they're doing some amazing things that I they're doing some amazing things that I think we need to pay attention to think we need to pay attention to think we need to pay attention to because they're all different they're because they're all different they're because they're all different they're all different kinds of churches but all different kinds of churches but all different kinds of churches but they're coming together in prayer and they're coming together in prayer and they're coming together in prayer and unity for the purpose and the cause of unity for the purpose and the cause of unity for the purpose and the cause of their city so in the last 20 years their city so in the last 20 years their city so in the last 20 years they've seen something insane like five they've seen something insane like five they've seen something insane like five hundred percent growth in their churches hundred percent growth in their churches hundred percent growth in their churches to New York and not because they all to New York and not because they all to New York and not because they all became the same but because they all became the same but because they all became the same but because they all decided to work together and to pray decided to work together and to pray decided to work together and to pray together and so something that have been together and so something that have been together and so something that have been really inspired by even in the last few really inspired by even in the last few really inspired by even in the last few months about how can we look to a model months about how can we look to a model months about how can we look to a model of other churches that are joining of other churches that are joining of other churches that are joining together to pray for one another to together to pray for one another to together to pray for one another to cheer one another on and prosthetic eyes cheer one another on and prosthetic eyes cheer one another on and prosthetic eyes together for the purpose of their city together for the purpose of their city together for the purpose of their city and they've seen obviously five hundred

and they've seen obviously five hundred and they've seen obviously five hundred percent growth and churches unbelievable percent growth and churches unbelievable percent growth and churches unbelievable so there's a lot left to learn they're so there's a lot left to learn they're so there's a lot left to learn they're so fun if you get 15 minutes with any so fun if you get 15 minutes with any so fun if you get 15 minutes with any leader alive who would you want to get leader alive who would you want to get leader alive who would you want to get that with and why Oh 50 minutes with any that with and why Oh 50 minutes with any that with and why Oh 50 minutes with any leader alive yes you know that's a great leader alive yes you know that's a great leader alive yes you know that's a great question I think I I think that's almost question I think I I think that's almost question I think I I think that's almost impossible for me to answer be great oh impossible for me to answer be great oh impossible for me to answer be great oh there's so many people that I admire but there's so many people that I admire but there's so many people that I admire but I think I'd probably want to get in the I think I'd probably want to get in the I think I'd probably want to get in the room with like a creative leader from a room with like a creative leader from a room with like a creative leader from a large Church like a so strong or an large Church like a so strong or an large Church like a so strong or an elevation I'm not because we're exactly elevation I'm not because we're exactly elevation I'm not because we're exactly the same as them but because I think the same as them but because I think the same as them but because I think they've solved a lot of problems that we they've solved a lot of problems that we they've solved a lot of problems that we are going to but we're going to solve in are going to but we're going to solve in are going to but we're going to solve in the near future we're going to need to the near future we're going to need to the near future we're going to need to sell that I want to learn how to do it sell that I want to learn how to do it sell that I want to learn how to do it from one of those big churches that does from one of those big churches that does from one of those big churches that does it and AH really creatively cool well I it and AH really creatively cool well I it and AH really creatively cool well I appreciate be on the show I know being appreciate be on the show I know being appreciate be on the show I know being in your role takes a lot out it's a lot in your role takes a lot out it's a lot in your role takes a lot out it's a lot of energy when you just want to kick of energy when you just want to kick of energy when you just want to kick back relax tease you know do some back relax tease you know do some back relax tease you know do some fun what is what is Joanna do yeah i fun what is what is Joanna do yeah i fun what is what is Joanna do yeah i wanna i lived in the center of toronto wanna i lived in the center of toronto wanna i lived in the center of toronto in a big city so i love being in the in a big city so i love being in the in a big city so i love being in the city i love just getting out into the city i love just getting out into the city i love just getting out into the atmosphere the city there's always atmosphere the city there's always atmosphere the city there's always something to do in a city you know for something to do in a city you know for something to do in a city you know for parades festival food but you know on a parades festival food but you know on a parades festival food but you know on a normal on a normal day off i'm going to normal on a normal day off i'm going to normal on a normal day off i'm going to grow go grab a good coffee and i'm grow go grab a good coffee and i'm grow go grab a good coffee and i'm probably going to drive around in my probably going to drive around in my probably going to drive around in my mini cooper somewhere and meet up with mini cooper somewhere and meet up with mini cooper somewhere and meet up with some friends I love to travel I've been some friends I love to travel I've been some friends I love to travel I've been to about 35 maybe 35 40 different to about 35 maybe 35 40 different to about 35 maybe 35 40 different countries around the world I try to get countries around the world I try to get countries around the world I try to get out and it as often as I can nice well I out and it as often as I can nice well I out and it as often as I can nice well I appreciate you being on the show today appreciate you being on the show today appreciate you being on the show today if people want to get in touch with you

if people want to get in touch with you if people want to get in touch with you or with the church how can they do that or with the church how can they do that or with the church how can they do that yes see for church com is the church yes see for church com is the church yes see for church com is the church Joanna Lafleur calm is me and on there I Joanna Lafleur calm is me and on there I Joanna Lafleur calm is me and on there I have some of these resources that we have some of these resources that we have some of these resources that we defeated talked about today if people defeated talked about today if people defeated talked about today if people want to look for things in the scope want to look for things in the scope want to look for things in the scope people want to know some of my favorite people want to know some of my favorite people want to know some of my favorite tools that I use to be my job we're all tools that I use to be my job we're all tools that I use to be my job we're all on there well thanks so much for being on there well thanks so much for being on there well thanks so much for being on the show today thank God thank you on the show today thank God thank you on the show today thank God thank you for tuning in to this week's unsung re for tuning in to this week's unsung re for tuning in to this week's unsung re podcast don't be shy we'd love to podcast don't be shy we'd love to podcast don't be shy we'd love to connect check out on seminary in box you connect check out on seminary in box you connect check out on seminary in box you can sign up at unsummon re calm and can sign up at unsummon re calm and can sign up at unsummon re calm and Wilson you helpful training resources Wilson you helpful training resources Wilson you helpful training resources every week plus you'll gain immediate every week plus you'll gain immediate every week plus you'll gain immediate access to our exclusive members area access to our exclusive members area access to our exclusive members area with tons of resources you can use with tons of resources you can use with tons of resources you can use connect with rich on twitter at rich connect with rich on twitter at rich connect with rich on twitter at rich birch or through email rich a ton birch or through email rich a ton birch or through email rich a ton seminary calm don't forget to check out seminary calm don't forget to check out seminary calm don't forget to check out the show notes for this episode a ton the show notes for this episode a ton the show notes for this episode a ton seminary calm it includes links to what seminary calm it includes links to what seminary calm it includes links to what we talked about today and more leave a we talked about today and more leave a we talked about today and more leave a comment we'd love to hear from you did comment we'd love to hear from you did comment we'd love to hear from you did you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes you enjoy today's episode drop by itunes and leave a review thanks again for and leave a review thanks again for and leave a review thanks again for tuning in to this week's unsung nari tuning in to this week's unsung nari tuning in to this week's unsung nari podcast join us next week when we'll podcast join us next week when we'll podcast join us next week when we'll learn more stuff we wish they taught in learn more stuff we wish they taught in learn more stuff we wish they taught in seminary