Writing

Jon WalkerPastor-WriterPurpose Driven Life Daily DevotionalsDo you want people to get more out of your bulletin or website? This seminar will teach you the concepts behind ‘how-to journalism,’ where the writing is focused on serving your readers in such a way that they come to view you as a reliable and supportive friend.About the Presenter:Jon Walker is a freelance journalist with experience in both Christian and secular media. Currently, a communications consultant for Rick Warren and Purpose Driven Life ministries, Jon also served as pastor of strategic communications for Saddleback Church and vice president of story for Purpose Driven Initiatives. He is founding editor of Rick Warren’s Ministry ToolBox and the principal author for a book on Christian community, Better Together. In addition, Jon was editor-in-chief of HomeLife, the flagship magazine of LifeWay Christian Resources. He’s been a news reporter, video producer, morning-drive disc jockey, and a public affairs director. His writing has appeared in magazines and newspapers around the world.He holds a master of divinity from Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.; a master of education and bachelor of science in journalism from the University of Florida. Jon is a frequent faculty member at writer’s conferences, where he teaches both narrative and service journalism.Includes audio (MP3), workshop slides (PDF)Electronic download only (14Meg)

Jenni Keller Northview Christian Life Church
It’s one thing to report the facts. It’s an entirely different thing to engage your reader. To communicate God’s amazing love and grace, through the testimony of a Christ-follower. Regardless of your church size, every person has a story to tell. And it’s your job to bring that story to life. Telling a great story is more than just words on a page. To effectively tell stories, you need a strong interview, a compelling hook and the ability to pull out the pieces that will make a genuine connection with others.
Learn how to find great stories, how to form and write a story that will captivate your readers and how you can use these stories inside your church and in your community for effective kingdom impact.
About the presenter: Jenni Keller is Director of Communications at Northview Christian Life Church in Carmel, Ind. With her dad as her lead pastor, growing up in ministry has greatly shaped her understanding and passions for the church and helping it effectively communicate to a hurting world. Although she loves her job, her favorite role is “mommy” to twin girls, Lauren and Jillian and her newest baby (born in July), Claira. She and her husband, Andy, live in Carmel and enjoy Qdoba burritos and Blizzards at DQ.

Includes audio (MP3), slides (PDF) Electronic download only (56Meg)

Glynnis WhitwerSenior EditorProverbs 31 MinistriesEvery church has some sort of communication vehicle, such as a newsletter.  What’s yours?  If you are interested in taking your church’s information piece up a notch in quality and readability, this workshop is for you.   We’ll cover topics such as the purpose of a newsletter, who is the market, how to improve the content and look, creative ways to reach busy people, plus we’ll identify common problem areas and present practical solutions.  The good news is, almost all of these ideas are low cost!  You’ll also learn how Proverbs 31 ministries took their one-color newsletter, printed from a home computer and folded by volunteers in someone’s living room, to a full-color magazine reaching women around the country. About the Presenter:Glynnis Whitwer is on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries and is the Senior Editor of the P31 Woman magazine.  She is the author of work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work from Home (New Hope, 2007), and co-author of a Bible studies series entitled Kingdom Living (Ampelon, 2007).  Glynnis has a degree in Public Relations and Journalism and worked in the public relations field for 14 years before becoming an editor and author.  Her professional background includes experience with newsletters of all kinds.  Glynnis and her husband Tod run a home-based business (www.roselanecottage.com), and have five children. She is active in women’s and worship ministries at her home church in Glendale, Arizona. MP3 audio, slides (PDF) (16Meg)Electronic download only

Immediate Aid for Building Relationships Beyond Your Church Walls Leah Norton Fishhook
Ever feel like strategically and creatively communicating to build relationships with those beyond your church walls is an impossible feat? With busy ministries, pressing deadlines and limited budgets, your communications focus can quickly become all about what’s happening INSIDE your church.
Beginning with a brief overview of PR basics (identifying target audiences, developing measurable goals/objectives, etc.), this workshop will provide strategic plans and practical tools for building effective: Community relations: how to connect and communicate well in or with your church’s local community (case studies to be shared) Media relations: how to connect and communicate well with your church’s local media (to include tips/ideas for developing story ideas and pitching them to the media)
About the presenter: Leah Norton “loves God, loves communications and loves working with churches.” An account director at Fishhook – an innovative communications and creative services company in Indianapolis – Leah’s work blends all of these passions. Prior to helping churches communicate more effectively, Leah worked in a large public relations firm and the corporate world. An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, Leah graduated from Anderson University (Anderson, Ind.) with a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications/public relations. Leah and Brian, her husband of 11 years, have two young daughters. They are active members at The Church at the Crossing in Indianapolis, where Leah recently completed two terms of service on the Board of Elders.

Includes audio (MP3), slides (PDF) Electronic download only (62Meg)

Sandy SutterDirector of CommunicationsFaith Lutheran ChurchChurches are putting together communications every day and many individuals work on these communications. How do we put together professional, high quality materials with consistency? Some say a Style Guide would be helpful. What is a Style Guide and how do you even go about putting one together? Sandy Sutter, Director of Communications at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO will share with you her experience of putting together a Style Guide. She will share:

• Defining a Style Guide and its purpose
• Where do you begin to put a Style Guide together?
• What is included?
• How detailed should it be?
• Who is it for?
• What it looks like when finished
• Is it ever finished?

This workshop is to share the process Sandy went through as she began to address creating a Style Guide for the first time at Faith Lutheran Church. Faith is a rapidly growing congregation of over 1,600 members located in South St. Louis County attracting people from the St. Louis metropolitan area, including Illinois. In the six years Sandy has been on staff, her title has changed four times as the ministries have grown and evolved. Her degree in management and communications qualifies her for this new position of Director of Communications created 2-1/2 years ago, even though that job description is evolving, growing and still being defined. Sandy Sutter has a BA in Management and Communications from Concordia University, Mequon – St. Louis Branch. She and her husband, Norm, live in Millstadt, IL with their son, Wade. They also have two adult daughters, Wendy of Affton, MO and Crystal of Alexandria, VA who are all members of Faith.   Includes audio (MP3) slides (PDF).Electronic download only (22Meg)