What Churches Need From Online Communications Today

🎧 Prefer to listen? The podcast episode is right here at the top. The post below works all on its own, so go with whatever feels easiest for your day.

Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately:
Almost no one I know who does church communication planned on doing it.

You probably didn’t study for it.
You didn’t raise your hand for it.
You didn’t dream of running a website, writing emails, posting to social, and answering that classic last-minute line:
“Hey… can you just post this real quick?”

It’s almost always inherited.

Communication tends to be one of those things that floats on the edge of someone’s role. It gets passed along quietly. Or assigned. Or left sitting on the list until someone finally says, “I can do that, I guess.”

And just like that, you’re the person with the logins.
The one who’s supposed to know what’s happening online.
The one holding a responsibility that reaches much farther than it may seem.

Because communication shapes how people experience a church.

It affects whether they feel informed, included, connected, and oriented. That’s a big weight to carry—especially when it’s something you’ve added on top of everything else.

When Communication Feels Heavy

One of the things I’ve learned after walking alongside lots of churches is this: when communication feels overwhelming, it’s usually not about effort.

The people doing this work care deeply.
They’re already juggling so much.
A lot of it happens in the margins—between pastoral care, prep, staff meetings, and Sunday responsibilities.

What’s usually missing is clarity.

Clarity about what really matters.
Clarity about what fits the week you’re actually having.
Clarity that gives you permission to stop overcomplicating it.

Without that clarity, communication can start to feel like a moving target.
Like something you’re constantly behind on.
Like something you’re trying to keep alive with sheer willpower and half a cup of coffee.

Social Media Can Be A Lot

I’ve also noticed that social media has become a little intimidating for churches.

It moves fast. It feels loud. It can be weirdly high-stakes.
Sometimes it just feels safer not to touch it.

Other times, churches jump in with so much pressure to “do it right” that it takes all the joy and usefulness out of it.

And when people don’t show up, or don’t feel informed, it’s easy for communication to take the blame.
That can sting, because I genuinely believe communication is meant to be a gift.
Something that supports connection. That creates understanding. That helps people feel like they belong.

What Clear Communication Actually Does

One of the things I care about most in this work is making sure communication is actually understandable.

Not flashy. Not “branded.” Just clear.

Because clarity helps people know:

• Who you are

• What’s happening

• How to participate

• What matters to your community

Those are the things that shape how people experience your church—and they’re often the first to slide when the week gets full.

But even the simplest moments—a clear post, a calm email, a little heads-up—can go a long way.

Why I Think About Sustainability So Much

I don’t want you to have to run at full speed every week just to stay visible.

I want your communication work to be something that supports you.

That means asking:
What can you actually keep doing?
What fits your time, your energy, your team (or lack of one)?
What still works when the week doesn’t go as planned?

I say this all the time, but it’s worth repeating: even once a week matters.
People notice when something feels consistent.
They trust it. And that trust builds over time.

Presence Matters

Consistency isn’t only about how often you post.
It’s also about presence.

Presence looks like noticing someone in your community and encouraging them.
Sharing something that feels local and grounded.
Marking a moment that matters.

These small things tell people:
We’re here. We’re paying attention.
We care.

And that kind of presence builds trust, too.

Let the Tools Do Their Job

I know how draining it can be to open Adobe (pick one... any one...) with the best intentions… and then 45 minutes later you’re still nudging text boxes around and wondering if you’ve lost your mind.

That’s SO real. That’s decision fatigue.

And it’s why I care so much about good tools (and templates).
Not tools that give you 700 choices and call it “flexibility.”
Tools that actually reduce stress.
Templates that give you a place to start, and space to make it your own.

The goal is never to sound generic.
It’s to protect your voice... so you can focus on what you’re trying to say.

Clear Communication Is a Kindness

There’s a real kind of care in steady, thoughtful communication.

It lowers stress for the people doing the work.
It makes participation easier for the congregation.
It creates a sense of trust and orientation, especially in busy seasons or moments of change.

When communication feels calm, people breathe easier.
And that breathing room matters... for everyone.

A Gentle Next Step

If you’re nodding along, just know:
You don’t have to overhaul everything this week.

One way to take a step forward is to stop reinventing the wheel every time you need to post something.
That’s why I built The Commons... so you’d have a place to return to for ideas, templates, strategy, and support that fit real church life.

It’s made for people doing this work alongside everything else.
It’s calm, clear, and there when you need it.

If you want to learn more, you can check it out here: StudioKons.com/thecommons 

BTW, you won’t find it linked on the homepage... this space is for the folks who are already in the work, looking for tools that feel doable and encouraging.

One Last Thing

If no one’s said it to you in a while:

You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re not behind.
You’re not failing.

You’re carrying something important with less support than you deserve.

And you’re doing more than you think.

Clear, calm communication is one of the most caring things your church can offer.

So take a breath.
You’re not alone in this.
And you’re doing really good work.