You Need a Strategic Communications Leader

Church ministry thrives when leaders are empowered to pour time, energy and skills into their specific areas. Whether it’s discipleship, worship or outreach, having a dedicated team ensures that every ministry runs effectively. The same is true for church communications.

Your church needs a centralized communications leader and team (staff and/or volunteers) to strategically organize and deliver the messages that connect your congregation and community to the mission of your church. This responsibility is best stewarded by a communications leader!

The Role of a Church Communications Leader in 2025

Church communications today are more complex than ever. It’s not just about bulletins and announcements—it’s about building meaningful engagement across multiple platforms, reaching multiple generations and helping people take their next step in faith.

A strong church communications leader will:

• Align messaging with the church’s vision and priorities.
• Connect and engage with multiple generations while being mindful of the primary target audience.
• Bridge the gap between in-person and digital church experiences.
• Create pathways for visitors to become active participants.
• Strengthen internal communication among pastors, staff and volunteers.

Key Areas Church Communications Leaders Should Oversee

A strategic communications leader helps ensure clarity, consistency and impact across all touchpoints for your congregation and community. If that sounds like a big responsibility, it’s because it is! Don’t worry if you feel behind on adopting this direction for your church. 

The churches that are doing this best pick an area of emphasis and start making an impact. Once you get some sustainable systems in place, you move onto another area. Some of these areas of emphasis include:

• Brand Identity & Messaging – Defining how your church is recognized and remembered
• Worship Experience – Coordinating all communication elements before, during and after services
• Guest & Member Next Steps – Providing clear, accessible ways for people to get connected
• Digital Presence – Website, social media, online engagement and digital discipleship
• Internal Communications – Ensuring alignment between ministries, staff and volunteers

Who Should Be on Your Communications Team?

Every church’s team will look different, but as your church grows, your communications team should include a mix of people equipped to handle various matters of church communication. Not all church hiring budgets are created equal, so I realize hiring for every position is not realistic. While a strategic communication leader can handle multiple areas listed below, you might consider bringing in key volunteers or part-time staff to cover some of these areas.  

• Strategists – Big-picture planners who align messaging with church goals
• Writers & Content Creators – Storytellers who craft compelling messages
• Designers & Videographers – Visual creatives who bring the message to life
• Social Media & Web Specialists – Digital connectors who engage online audiences
• Project Managers – Organizers who ensure communication efforts run smoothly

Final Encouragement 

A strong communications ministry is not really a luxury anymore … it’s a necessity. Investing in a dedicated leader and team ensures that your church is not just sharing information but creating meaningful connections that lead to transformed lives.

As we continue in 2025, having this team will be an essential part of sharing the heartbeat of your ministry.  

We know it can feel overwhelming to think about adding to your team, but you are not alone! Reach out and let’s chat about how we could help you hire and build a communications team that matches your unique ministry.