A new book out in early January, How To Be Heard In A Noisy World by Phil Creighton, aims to offer advice that churches will find invaluable as they seek to share the Good News with local people.
In the book, churches are being urged to make it their new year's resolution to stop letting their Good News be seen as bad news, and engage in positive interaction with their community - not just at Christmas.
"Last year, when churches were promoting the Narnia film, some people were quick to remind us that the church was against The Life of Brian, some 25 years previously," said Phil Creighton, the book's author. "It's a shame that that the church is perceived as anti-this and anti-that when in reality it has an exciting message to offer people: Jesus was a real person, his message was true and if you meet him, he will change your life. We've got to stop our Good News becoming bad news.
"Christians are familiar with the Bible verse about not hiding your light under a bushel, so why do people know what the church is against rather than for?" said Creighton.
"The recent furore over the secularising of Christmas proves this: churches can be their own worst enemies when it comes to publicity. Instead of being lighthouses in their communities, they allow stereotypes to persist: congregations made up of Ned Flanders-type Christians led by weak, woolly and fey vicars.
"Nothing could be further from the truth in the majority of UK churches. Christians need to engage with the real world in a more focused way. My book will help them do that."
How To Be Heard In A Noisy World covers aspects of church communications and publicity, including practical tips and advice on running services, maintaining the church grounds, operating a website, creating press releases and even holding events such as World Cup football screenings.
"A lot of churches act as if they are under siege," Creighton added. "In reality, all they need is the confidence to share the life-changing message they have. My book is aimed at helping them have that confidence."
