Local media outlets in your area are hungry for content and often welcome contributions from all kinds of people and community groups, including Christians and churches.
This potential for taking the gospel outside the walls of the church often remains untapped, but Christians across the world are finding it an amazing way of communicating. Furthermore, the proliferation of town, community, and neighbourhood social media groups means that there are many more opportunities to get something published than when the local newspaper was the only game in town.
There are three main areas to consider contributing to.
1.Information
The most basic thing to communicate are the simple facts about what’s happening. “People will be gathering to sing Christmas carols in the town centre on Saturday”*, “Songs and stories with local musicians – free event at the Baptist Church”** all make great copy. Local social media groups love this stuff and many newspapers have a community noticeboard section. But they can’t print what they haven’t been sent!
Local newspapers often prefer news reports (with photos) to adverts for upcoming events, so tell good stories about church: “Hope Church Opens New Building”, “Local youth group raises £5K for Africa” and so on.
These can be used to communicate something of the Christian message to a wider audience. They do sometimes get published, even if they are clearly Christian. But perhaps bear the following in mind:
- Pray first!
- Look for a local issue on which the Christian faith has something to say.
- Use the issue to lead towards the gospel.
- Keep it short, 200 words, and make one clear point.
- Don’t use Christian jargon, write well, and get a friend to proof-read.
- Be persuasive not aggressive, never ridicule or mock.
- Commend as well as critique others. Strike a positive tone where possible, don’t become known just for what you oppose!
- Persist! Most letters don’t get published, but if you keep going and the editor gets to know your name, the chances increase.
One pastor offered his local paper a weekly ‘thought for the day’ – and sent in a few samples of his writing. For many years, his 400-500 word pieces were printed.
Pray: Lord, help us to unlock the potential of local media channels to share something of your truth with those outside the church.
Previously: Launch Pad #37 Organise a youth group reunion
