Ministry leaders want to stay connected to your congregation in ways that feel personal, timely, and spiritually meaningful. The problem is that people communicate differently than they did even five years ago. Some respond instantly to texts, while others only check email when the moon is in retrograde. Sorting out which channel works best isn’t a matter of choosing one forever, but understanding how each tool helps shepherd your people well.
How to Stay Connected to Your Congregation
Email Still Matters More Than You Think
Email may not be glamorous, but it remains a powerful tool for long-form communication. It works beautifully for newsletters, pastoral reflections, event details, and anything requiring more than a couple sentences. People can return to it later, forward it, or save it for reference.
Pastors can strengthen connection through email by offering consistent rhythm. A weekly pastoral note, a prayer reflection, or a Friday update can build trust over time. The goal isn’t volume but reliability, tone, and clarity.
Texting Meets People Where Their Phones Already Are
Texting reaches people quickly and cuts through digital noise. Many churches use texting for event reminders, urgent needs, last-minute schedule changes, or short encouragements. The immediate nature of texting makes it a helpful tool when timeliness matters.
Keep texts short and warm. A pastor might send a simple “Praying for you today” or “Small groups start tonight” to help people feel seen. Avoid sending too many texts in a week so you don’t become one more buzzing notification people try to ignore.
RELATED: How Worship Leaders Can Connect Before and After the Service
What Email Does Best
Email excels at:
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Longer updates
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Teaching moments
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Prayer guides
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Ministry stories
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Volunteer instructions
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Monthly or weekly church newsletters
Think of email as your digital bulletin and teaching platform. When you need space to say something meaningful or detailed, email is the better option.
See Page Two for What Texting Does Best . . .
