Living Grace Lutheran Church, Omaha, Neb., a mission start congregation that began public worship on September 17, has continually used the Internet in its communication and marketing strategy. Early in his development work, The Rev. James Lindberg began an e-mail prayer partner network to connect with interested and supportive individuals both nationally and internationally. This prayer partner network has grown to over 250 individuals. The congregation also has its own group on the popular social networking site facebook.
To save money in paper and postage costs, newsletters are not mailed to members. Instead the congregation uses Constant Contact, a marketing Web site, for weekly communication. These e-newsletters include short articles about upcoming ministries, information about the current sermon series, and weekly offering and attendance statistics. They also contain numerous links to the congregation’s Web site, which is updated regularly with new and fresh content, including a pastor’s weekly video devotion. Visitors and members may sign up for these newsletters at the congregation’s Web site (
www.livinggraceomaha.org). As many as five new subscribers sign up for the e-newsletter each week.
Because most of the people of Living Grace have e-mail and Internet access, this is an effective way for the congregation to communicate regularly with its members. It is also a source of inspiration and helps strengthen the members’ faith, and is an innovative means of outreach to new people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Constant Contact is now part of the ELCA Advantage Program, a national cooperative buying program designed for use by ELCA congregations and affiliated agencies, institutions and organizations. Visit
www.elca.org/constantcontact to join the ELCA program.
The main benefit of joining is access to an ELCA-branded newsletter template developed specifically for congregations. In the future there will also be content updates that will provide fresh newsletter material each month including Prayer Ventures, ELCA news headlines and stories of faith in action.
Organizations already using Constant Contact may be able to switch to the ELCA program without interrupting their use of the service. All they have to do is fill out the form at:
www.elca.org/ccconvert.
Presently there is no discount over the regular fees, but Constant Contact provides a 30 percent discount for non-profit organizations, such as your congregation, paying on an annual basis. A part of the program fees come back to the ELCA, which helps fund the costs to provide the custom template and content feeds.
5 Steps for getting started with e-mail marketing
Step 1: Ask your members for their e-mail addresses
- Use an e-mail sign-up book.
- Collect addresses from new members.
- Ask for e-mail on all forms.
- Add an e-mail sign-up box to Web site.
Step 2: Determine your communication goals (what you want to accomplish).
- Inform members of upcoming events.
- Introduce new members.
- Send inspirational quotes or verses.
- Send last minute information.
- Communicate with specific groups.
Step 3: Decide what types of e-mails you want to send.
- Informative newsletter.
- Special worship event invitations.
- Send event surveys and registrations.
Step 4: Determine a communication schedule and stick with it.
Be consistent in your communications, as they reinforce your connection with your members. Determine how often you want to communicate with your members and then commit to that. If you tell your members they will get a weekly message, then make sure to send one each week.
Step 5: Examine your members’ responses and adjust accordingly.
With the reporting feature that comes with most e-mail marketing services, take a look at how many of your members open the e-mails you send and what links they click on. Based on this information you may want to make adjustments.