In ministry, there are always countless things to juggle—so many spinning plates that it can feel overwhelming to keep everything moving. One of the last things we want to deal with in the midst of this is the constant need for communication—with our team, our congregation, our community, and those who need to hear from us.

And when we’re operating in survival mode, it’s easy to fall into the trap of checklist communication.

• Did we send this out? Yes or no?
• Did the flyer go out when it was supposed to? Yes or no?

In this mindset, the goal often becomes completing the checklist rather than communicating effectively.

But here’s the problem:

When we’re just trying to push content out, what seems clear and engaging to us (the ones creating it) may actually be ignored or dismissed by the people receiving it.

Sure, you sent the email. You checked the box. But if no one actually reads or responds to it, is your communication really accomplishing anything? Worse yet, if your message is unclear or uninspiring, you may actually be hurting engagement over time.

So how do we communicate effectively without adding more stress to our already busy schedules? Here are three key things to keep in mind:

1. Make Your Communication Conversational and Engaging

It’s tempting to just send out information and assume that’s enough.

But information alone is not engaging.

People are bombarded with messages every day. If your communication doesn’t capture attention or spark curiosity, it will likely be ignored.

Instead of just stating facts, think about how you can make your message feel more personal, interesting, and relevant.

• Would you say it this way in an actual conversation?
• Does it create a sense of curiosity or importance?
• Is there a clear and compelling reason for someone to pay attention?

Even small adjustments—like a friendly tone, a thought-provoking question, or a simple story—can make a big difference.

Example:
❌ “Reminder: Church picnic this Saturday at 12 PM. Bring a dish to share.”
✅ “Looking for a great way to connect this weekend? Join us for the church picnic on Saturday! Bring a dish, bring a friend, and let’s enjoy some good food together.”

2. Get Honest Feedback Before You Send It

Most of us have someone review our messages for grammar and spelling—but how often do we have someone review them for engagement and clarity?

Before sending something out, test it with someone who will give you honest feedback. Ask them questions like:

• Does this feel inviting?
• Is this interesting?
• Would this make you want to take the next step?
• On a scale from boring to exciting, where would you place this?

If the response is meh, take a step back and adjust before sending.

3. Keep It Simple—Always

If you’re preaching a sermon, you have time to unpack ideas in depth.

But if you’re sending a quick update, announcement, or email, people don’t have time (or attention) for long-winded messages.

Shorter is always better.

• If your announcement is 500 words, cut it down to 100.
• If you have five things to communicate, simplify to two or three.
• If someone can’t skim it quickly and get the point, it’s too long.

The fewer things you ask people to remember, the more likely they’ll actually remember something.

Example:
❌ “We have several exciting events coming up, including our annual fall festival, a new Bible study starting next Wednesday, and a mission trip interest meeting this Sunday. Please see the bulletin for more details.”
✅ “Three ways to connect this week: 1) Fall Festival – Saturday at 3 PM. 2) New Bible Study – Wednesday at 6 PM. 3) Mission Trip Interest Meeting – Sunday at 10 AM. Details in the bulletin!”

Simple. Clear. Actionable.

Final Thought

If our goal is just to check off the “we communicated” box, then any email, announcement, or flyer will do.

But if our goal is to actually connect with people, inspire action, and create engagement, then we have to be intentional in how we communicate.

So next time you’re rushing to send something out, pause for a moment and ask:

• Is this clear, engaging, and conversational?
• Have I gotten feedback from someone before sending?
• Can I make this simpler and more memorable?

Because effective communication isn’t just about sending information.
It’s about making sure it actually connects.