Our second set of burning questions revolved around how we can increase the church's exposure in the community. We received a lot of good suggestions: yard signs, various forms of print advertising, temporary signs around the community on the weekends, mailers, more signage at the YMCA, and the list goes on. Unlike the fundraiser questions (see previous post), I think we all agree that it's important for more people in our community to find out about our church. So the only question is how we go about it. Let's take a look at a few different methods:
Mailers: while mailers are an effective way to get the word out in our community, it's also expensive. We're talking about thousands of dollars to do it right (which is the only way we would do it). Our current income doesn't allow this option. So we're looking for other ways to accomplish the same purpose.
YMCA signage: among the YMCA's many kind gestures to us, they allow us to advertise the church on their flat screen in the entry way, and on the outdoor marquis on Sunday mornings. We are working on some additional outdoor sign options, but city ordinances for signage are very strict, and the process is slow. We do plan to add additional portable signage outside the YMCA on Sunday mornings, including a large sign on the side of our trailer. The Sign Shop in League City, where Brad works, is offering a great deal of help in this area.
Yard signs: not my favorite. Who reads your yard sign? -Your neighbors. I do not want my neighbors to find out about the Springs from a sign in my yard. They need to hear about it directly from me. And yours need to hear about it from you. If your neighbors don't hear about your faith and your church from you, but read about it on a sign in your yard, what does that communicate? Skip the yard sign and have your neighbors over for burgers.
Print Advertising: We are pursuing as much print exposure as we can that is free. Some of you are aware of the recent front-page article about the Springs in the Galveston Daily News. We are also planning to submit more articles in the community newspaper that is distributed in our area. In the future, as our budget may permit, I'd like to see us advertise in the Clear Springs High School football program and other similar publications that are community-oriented.
Billboards: again, most billboard advertising is out of our financial reach. One possible exception is a billboard in the outfield of one of the Little League Fields at the Sportsplex. The cost for such a sign is $275 for the year, with the Little League season beginning in March. I am coaching in a division of 10-year olds who all live on the west side of League City, so the advertising is targeted specifically to families in our neighborhoods. We already have a sign design ready and waiting for production. If you would like to make a donation to see this happen, just let me know.
Community Service: serving in our community is a great and effective way of increasing our exposure in a positive way (not to mention that we're serving and meeting needs). Our upcoming participation in the Habitat for Humanity women's walk is a good example. Our ladies will wear t-shirts to distinguish them as Springs, and I'll be DJing the event with our trailer and signage in a prominent place. We'll also receive public recognition at the event from Habitat. These kinds of partnerships with other organizations in the community are among our preferred methods of increasing our exposure, and they don't have to be church-wide events. We hope our table groups will take the initiative and participate in similar activities. Brainstorm it at your neighborhood table or with your community group.
Word of Mouth: I saved the best for last. With our church, as with any organization or business of any kind, word of mouth is by far the best advertising you can get. All other forms of advertising are generally only effective if they are accompanied by word of mouth. In short, you are the best marketing method we have, and this will always be true, regardless of our size or budget. There is no substitute for us meeting people in our community and introducing them to Jesus first, then to the Springs. So get out there!
Cards or marketing handouts (like our current series piece) are always available, so pick some up Sunday at our gathering. See you there with the neighbor you told about the Springs.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Burning Question #1: Fundraisers
At our recent 1st Birthday celebration, I provided index cards and asked people to write down any question they had about the Springs. After sifting out the really profound ones, like "what color does blue and yellow make," I realized that almost all of the questions fell into 2 categories: finances/fundraising and marketing/advertising for the church. In this post, I'll address the fundraising question, and tackle the marketing question in my next post.
Q: can we do (insert fundraiser idea here) to raise money for the church?
A: we could, but do we want to? probably not.
That may sound like a weird answer from the pastor who reported that our 2008 income barely exceeded our expenses. But there are a couple of compelling reasons why we won't venture very far down the fundraiser path. One is time. Each of us has a finite amount. And of the portion we're going to give to church activities, fundraisers are going to be way down on my list. I truly believe that if you took the time and energy you would spend on a fundraiser and invest it in building relationships in your neighborhood and community, in the end it would result in much more support for the church (financial and otherwise) than any fundraiser. The other reason is the nature of our relationship with our community. Our friends and neighbors who don't participate in church usually have a view that the church exists to get something from them. We are determined to change that perception. We are here to give something to them, not to take...especially their money. People who see the results of our ministry will want to support it. Give and you shall receive. So let's brainstorm how we can give to our friends and neighbors!
So how are we going to increase our income? Ultimately, the solution is for our base of Springs participants to increase. 67 individuals and families gave to the Springs in 2008, but 13 of them really carried the freight, so to speak, by giving very consistently and giving 10% or more of their household income. Undoubtedly there are 13 more, already at the Springs today, who could join them in 2009, and new families who God will send across our path in the weeks and months to come. In the meantime, we do have some partners outside the church who have made significant contributions during our start-up phase and may do so again. If you know of a person or organization that may be interested in supporting us, by all means let us know. We're also continuing to pray for - and work toward - an ongoing partnership with a church or churches who will offer us some financial support.
If we do a fundraiser, it's more likely that we will do it for Starfish Kenya (we participated in a golf tournament for starfish in December), Habitat for Humanity (women's 5k on February 8), or another charity in our community than for ourselves. In our own case, fundraisers would be a band aid, and we're looking for more long-term financial health.
Q: Can we set up automatic payment for our tithes? Is there an address we can mail it to?
Y: Yes and Yes! Our mailing address is...
Church @ the Springs
2527 Attwater Way
League City, TX 77573
Q: can we do (insert fundraiser idea here) to raise money for the church?
A: we could, but do we want to? probably not.
That may sound like a weird answer from the pastor who reported that our 2008 income barely exceeded our expenses. But there are a couple of compelling reasons why we won't venture very far down the fundraiser path. One is time. Each of us has a finite amount. And of the portion we're going to give to church activities, fundraisers are going to be way down on my list. I truly believe that if you took the time and energy you would spend on a fundraiser and invest it in building relationships in your neighborhood and community, in the end it would result in much more support for the church (financial and otherwise) than any fundraiser. The other reason is the nature of our relationship with our community. Our friends and neighbors who don't participate in church usually have a view that the church exists to get something from them. We are determined to change that perception. We are here to give something to them, not to take...especially their money. People who see the results of our ministry will want to support it. Give and you shall receive. So let's brainstorm how we can give to our friends and neighbors!
So how are we going to increase our income? Ultimately, the solution is for our base of Springs participants to increase. 67 individuals and families gave to the Springs in 2008, but 13 of them really carried the freight, so to speak, by giving very consistently and giving 10% or more of their household income. Undoubtedly there are 13 more, already at the Springs today, who could join them in 2009, and new families who God will send across our path in the weeks and months to come. In the meantime, we do have some partners outside the church who have made significant contributions during our start-up phase and may do so again. If you know of a person or organization that may be interested in supporting us, by all means let us know. We're also continuing to pray for - and work toward - an ongoing partnership with a church or churches who will offer us some financial support.
If we do a fundraiser, it's more likely that we will do it for Starfish Kenya (we participated in a golf tournament for starfish in December), Habitat for Humanity (women's 5k on February 8), or another charity in our community than for ourselves. In our own case, fundraisers would be a band aid, and we're looking for more long-term financial health.
Q: Can we set up automatic payment for our tithes? Is there an address we can mail it to?
Y: Yes and Yes! Our mailing address is...
Church @ the Springs
2527 Attwater Way
League City, TX 77573
To set up automatic debit, go to www.cometothesprings.com and click "giving," or contact me directly at csimmons@the-springs.com or 281-794-9747.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
