October 1, 2025
By Matthew Shineman, Director of Communications
Earlier this summer, we conducted a comprehensive communications survey to better understand how our staff, clergy, lay leaders, and laity engage with our Conference communications. We are deeply grateful for the hundreds of you who shared your honest perspectives. Your feedback has affirmed what is working well and has also highlighted areas where we can grow.
What We Learned
- Strengths – Across all audiences, QuikLINK was praised as our most consistent and reliable tool for keeping people informed. Many also noted appreciation for the clarity of our communications and the way they reflect our Conference’s values.
- Areas to Improve – The number one theme across every group was timeliness. Many respondents said they want to hear important updates sooner and with clearer targeting. Another consistent theme was the need for more storytelling – sharing stories of ministry, impact, and connection.
- Content & Formats – Videos, webinars, and podcasts were the most requested new formats. In terms of topics, leadership development, church operations, justice/mission, and faith formation all rose to the top (with variations by audience).
- Reaching Others – While clergy generally feel well-connected, there was a clear sense that communications to lay leaders and the broader community need to be strengthened.
Our Next Steps
Based on your feedback, here are some of the areas we are focusing on:
- Enhancing website usability and accessibility for clergy, leaders, and laity. A new website is already underway and we will keep you all up to date on its progress and launch date.
- Improving timeliness in sharing important updates. In doing so, we’ll work with ministry teams to understand the importance of lead time.
- Expanding storytelling that highlights the people, ministries, and impact across our Conference. Stay tuned for new things and as always, reach out to let us know of amazing things happening!
- Creating more video, webinar, and podcast content, especially around leadership development and practical church resources.
- Strengthening communication beyond clergy to better engage lay leaders and the wider community.
We are encouraged by the strong foundation we already share, and we are committed to building on it. Thank you again for your feedback, your honesty, and your partnership in helping us communicate in ways that not only inform, but invite and inspire as well!