United Methodist Communications
Office of Public Information
For Immediate Release
August 9, 2021
Nashville, Tennessee – Balancing online, in-person services and hybrid models poses challenges to church leaders. United Methodist Communications’ Training Team will host its second in a series of ecumenical virtual communications learning conferences to equip churches and ministries with next level communication methods for new era. The Church Communications Workshops Series: Moving the Church Forward through Communication will take place daily from 10:30am to 2:30pm CT on August 24-25, 2021.
The conference will present 13 learning opportunities facilitated by communications experts. Each workshop will share proven best practices and techniques, personal experience insights and suggestions to help participants excel in their communication efforts. Attendees are encouraged to engage in each session’s live Q&A with the facilitator to get the most out of their experience. All workshops will be recorded and stored in the learning portal; attendees will have access to this content through December 31st, 2021.
This two-day conference will help church staff and volunteers to focus on leveraging a variety of communication tools and methods including: building community online using campfire and Discord techniques, reaching different generations on various platforms, orienting to the digital-first era, maximizing online worship and engagement, using Anchor for podcasts and grabbing attention through graphics and outreach. Self-care will also be discussed.
“We’ll be helping participants understand the different ways social media is used by different generational groups,” said United Methodist Communications’ Senior Training and Development Specialist, John Haney. “We’ll also be looking at churches who are choosing new approaches to digital church, as well as tips and techniques for engaging people who are worshiping remotely.”
People interested in exploring the 20+ learning opportunities and resources from the first conference in the series can still enroll for The Church Communications Workshops Series: Leveraging Communication for Greater Connection through the training portal.
Outside of the conferences, church leaders can access United Methodist Communications’ self-serve online training courses. Each offers professional instruction with the added benefit of convenience to accommodate busy schedules.
For more than 80 years, the United Methodist Communications team has been telling the church’s stories to enhance ministry and reflect the church to the world.
Anyone seeking to enhance their communications skills can find details and registration information for The Church Communications Workshops Series: Moving the Church Forward through Communication virtual conference via the UMCTraining.org website.
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About United Methodist Communications
As the communications agency for The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Communications seeks to increase awareness and visibility of the denomination in communities and nations around the globe. United Methodist Communications also offers services, tools, and resources for communications ministry. Discover more about the agency at Resourceumc.org/Communications. Learn how to support this communications ministry work at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.
Media contact:
Brenda Smotherman
[email protected]
615.742.5488 - office