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Communications Diagnostic
Home
Communications Diagnostic
Step
1
of
2
50%
Name
First
Last
Phone
Email
Name of Church
City
State
Denomination
Current Membership
Average Weekly Worship Attendance
Staff
How many full-time or full-time equivalent (e.g., two 20-hour-a-week = 1 full-time equivalent) does your church have in each of the following roles?
Pastors, Priests, or Clergy
Executive or Program Directors (like choir directors or youth pastors):
Support (like secretaries and admin)
This diagnostic is taken by staff and key leaders. On a scale of 1 – 4 (4 being the highest level of agreement), how much do you agree with the following statements?
Climate
1. Within the past 12 months, we have assessed (quantitatively and/or qualitatively) how well we communicate with the different demographics (youth, young adults, parents, seniors, etc.) within our congregation.
1
2
3
4
2. We are confident our congregation is not experiencing “information fatigue/overload” (resulting in communication being unread) due to us sending too many emails and/or text messages.
1
2
3
4
3. We are confident our congregation is not “information hungry” due to our infrequent/inconsistent/ineffective communication practices.
1
2
3
4
4. Our congregation feels our church staff and key volunteers are very responsive to voicemails and emails.
1
2
3
4
5. Our congregation feels that we communicate consistently and effectively.
1
2
3
4
Policy, Processes, & Standards
6. We send digital bulletins or newsletters to church members who opt in for ease of use and cost savings.
1
2
3
4
7. Instead of relying on mass communication methods, important and/or key communication is systematically “echoed” by key leaders to their respective groups to ensure the message is both received and actioned as needed.
1
2
3
4
8. The rhythm and means of communication for our church has been communicated to our congregation resulting in each segment of our congregation (staff, volunteers, parents, youth, etc.) knowing when and where to find information that is important to them.
1
2
3
4
9. Our congregation knows the most effective way to contact the church for routine communication, immediate assistance, and/or during a life crisis.
1
2
3
4
10. When applicable, we communicate directly to segments (volunteers, youth, men, couples, singles, women, families with children, families with youth, etc.) of our congregation instead of communicating to everyone in our congregation information that may not apply to them.
1
2
3
4
11. Clear, internal communication processes have been established that allow the congregation to be exposed to the successes and good news surrounding our church.
1
2
3
4
12. Clear, external communication and marketing processes have been established that allow the community to be exposed to the successes and good news surrounding the church.
1
2
3
4
13. We have set norms that ensure every item does not receive the same level of communication. What is most important is distinctly communicated by frequency and/or means.
1
2
3
4
14. We have set standards for our staff and key volunteers related to the expected timeliness of returning voicemails and answering emails.
1
2
3
4
15. Our church’s after-hours voicemail gives callers instructions on whom to call when immediate assistance is needed.
1
2
3
4
16. Our church’s voicemail provides standard information to callers such as location, worship times, and website address.
1
2
3
4
17. Our church staff uses a standard outgoing voicemail message on their office phones and standard signature block on their emails.
1
2
3
4
18. Our church staff uses standard practices for out of office messages on voicemail and email.
1
2
3
4
19. Our church has set communication standards and policies as it relates to staff and volunteers communicating with minors.
1
2
3
4
20. Printed communication (bulletins, flyers, newsletters, etc.) are accurate, visually appealing, and utilize consistent branding.
1
2
3
4
21. Printed communication (bulletins, flyers, newsletters, etc.) are regularly designed on schedule and ready for print when needed.
1
2
3
4
22. Our church adheres to a written branding guide that outlines guidelines and standards for the use of logos, imagery, color palette, typography (fonts), language, etc. that ensures our church communicates in a cohesive, consistent, and recognizable way.
1
2
3
4
23. We have clear and normative “countdown” processes (12 months out, 9 months out, 6 months out, 3 months out, 1 month out, 2 weeks out, 1 week out) for communicating church event information.
1
2
3
4
Website
24. We are extremely satisfied with our website.
1
2
3
4
25. Our website is updated to always reflect the latest church events and service times.
1
2
3
4
26. Our church website is regularly updated with software updates as needed.
1
2
3
4
27. There is one person or entity who administrates our website and is responsible for regular content updates.
1
2
3
4
28. It is easy for our staff and/or volunteers to login, change the information, and save changes to our website.
1
2
3
4
Social Media
29. We are extremely satisfied with the way our church uses social media.
1
2
3
4
30. Our social media sites (including our Facebook Page) are intentionally managed such that scheduled posts provide useful content, advertise events, and celebrate the joys of the ministry.
1
2
3
4
31. Our church schedules Facebook posts regularly.
1
2
3
4
32. Our church uses and/or has evaluated the use of Google Adwords, Facebook Ads, and Google Analytics, in order to reach more people digitally.
1
2
3
4
Structural Tools
33. Pertinent members of our church staff and key volunteers have received training in communications and/or marketing.
1
2
3
4
34. Our congregation has a written strategic plan for our external communication tools and processes.
1
2
3
4
35. We regularly utilize digital analytics to track and adapt our communications for maximum effectiveness.
1
2
3
4
36. Our church has an up-to-date database with the name, phone number, email address, and physical address of those connected to our ministry categorized such that we are able to communicate differently to one-time visitors and life-long members/attendees.
1
2
3
4
37. We have systems in place to gather accurate emails and phone numbers for all members (adults and youth) of our congregation.
1
2
3
4
38. We maintain both an internal and external calendar that announces major events for all the different ministries in our church (worship, youth, children, men, women, couples, singles, etc.) at least 12 months out.
1
2
3
4
39. Our church staff and key volunteers use and/or have evaluated the use of collaboration/communication tools such as HipChat, Skype for Business, Zoom, Google Hangouts, GroupMe, Slack, etc.
1
2
3
4
Outcome Questions
40. If your congregation started to communicate your mission and identity most effectively, what would you start or stop communicating in the next year?
41. What outcomes/results would you like to see if you communicated more effectively this year?
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