Cheryl Coleman has served as Communications Director for Chase Oaks Church in Plano, Texas for almost seven years. MinistryCOM interviewed Cheryl to get her perspective on the church communications world.
MinistryCOM: What do you enjoy the most about church communications?
CHERYL COLEMAN: I really enjoy intersecting with the ministries and working with them on a variety of projects to help them accomplish their communication goals. We know our contribution, whether that is a brochure, flyer, blog, postcard, etc., ultimately is helping people to connect with God, with others and to needs. It’s exciting to be a part of that process!
MC: What’s most challenging about church communications?
CC: I think our greatest challenge has been, and will continue to be, getting information from our ministries in a timely manner. Even with standards, processes and guidelines in place, we continue to wrestle with this, and that I believe is just the nature of working in ministry and being in a dynamic environment where things can change and take a completely different direction as the need arises. You just have to go with it! One thing is certain: it’s never dull around here!
MC: How is creativity encouraged within your church staff?
CC: Sometimes it is just good to “get out.” And that is what we are encouraged to do when we need to be creatively infused. Visiting a museum or another area church to see what they are doing in their communications areas, or even going to Starbucks for a fresh environment, oftentimes stimulates creativity.
MC: Where is your inspirational spot – the place you like to brainstorm and think creatively
CC: I don’t really have a particular spot per se…but sometimes ideas will come to me on my drive home, after I’m away from the office. Even when I’m home for the evening, ideas will pop into my head, and I’ll jot them down to bring into work the next day to discuss with the team. So I really think “getting away” often helps to free up the mind, and opens us to be even more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. All too often being in the office, with all the distractions and interruptions that come with the nature of the job, can hinder the creative process.
