7 Steps to Create Better Church Newsletters

Church newsletters are a great way to keep your congregation informed about your ministry’s activities. They encourage those who contribute with their finances, prayers, or time, and can even challenge them when needed. A well-crafted newsletter reminds people why they are involved, how they can stay engaged, and why your ministry needs their ongoing commitment. Poor communication, however, risks your newsletter being ignored. Here are seven steps to create consistently better newsletters, complemented by tools like Servant Keeper’s church app and email features.

1. Have a Purpose

Before writing, define the newsletter’s purpose. Are you providing a regular update, sharing a significant event, or requesting participation? Knowing your goal ensures clarity for your audience. Write your final paragraph or sentence first to align the content, or create an outline with key points leading to your call to action. If a section doesn’t support your goal, reconsider its place or prominence. Your purpose should reflect your audience’s needs.

2. Know Your Audience

Tailor your newsletter to its readers—active members, staff, or the broader congregation.

Active Members

Active members, who contribute through giving, volunteering, or prayer, don’t need every detail about your ministry’s operations. Focus on major updates since your last communication. Highlight how their involvement has made a difference, such as answered prayers, lives impacted, or recent projects. Share a story about someone positively affected by your work. Include tangible numbers—like attendance at an event, meals served, or active small groups—to show impact without reducing people to statistics. These figures help members feel connected and hold your ministry accountable. If challenges arise, humbly share them to invite prayer and reflection. You can also introduce new volunteers or staff to show growth.

Staff

For staff, focus on their roles and impact. Share stories that highlight different team members or roles each time to ensure everyone feels valued. Discuss goals—whether they’re being met or if new ones are needed—to encourage or challenge your team. Use the newsletter to foster a sense of unity and purpose.

Broader Congregation

The broader congregation includes everyone in your church community, from regular attendees to occasional visitors. This group benefits from a newsletter that fosters a sense of belonging and invites deeper involvement. Share updates that reflect your church’s mission, such as community outreach or upcoming events accessible via the church app. Highlight opportunities for participation, like joining a small group or attending a service, to encourage connection. Keep the tone welcoming and inclusive, ensuring the content is relevant to both committed members and those exploring your community.

3. Be Concise

Stick to your purpose and audience. Avoid unnecessary details or complex language. Simple, clear wording ensures your message is easy to follow. You’re communicating updates, not arguing a point.

4. Keep It “Newsy”

Readers want to know what’s happening with your ministry. Make it clear from the start that this is a ministry update. A clear title or opening sets expectations. Like a newspaper, include the who, what, where, when, why, and how of your story, keeping background information brief and vital. Ensure key information is easy to find at a glance. Avoid lengthy explanations of your ministry’s philosophy unless it’s your first newsletter; a concise closing thought can include your mission.

5. Make It Digestible

Use a readable font size and break text into short paragraphs. Avoid overusing bold or italics—less emphasis makes key points stand out. Keep the newsletter to one page; if it’s longer, consider sending more frequent updates to respect your readers’ time.

6. Use Media

Incorporate photos or videos to make your newsletter engaging and less text-heavy. Show your ministry in action—include images of people, events, or locations. Servant Keeper’s church app complements newsletters by offering another way to connect with members. This branded app, customizable with your church’s logo and style, allows members to access weekly devotionals, the church calendar, past livestreams, sermons, and the church directory to stay connected. It also enables churches to send alerts directly to members’ phones for timely communication.

7. Send Regularly

Consistency builds trust. Send newsletters on a predictable schedule—weekly, monthly, or quarterly—so readers know when to expect updates. This pattern ensures they don’t wonder if they’ve missed something or if your ministry is struggling. Servant Keeper’s built-in email tool makes this easy by allowing churches to schedule newsletters to go out on a regular cadence, ensuring reliable communication. Combined with the church app, it keeps your congregation informed and engaged.

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