There are two problems with a straight lecture class. One of them is that students tune out the drone of a lecture. The other problem is that lectures do not teach students how to think. Lots of information can be imparted with a lecture. Some classes and topics call for lecture because a lot of facts must be taught. Chemistry comes to mind, so do History and Grammar. Bible class is different, however, because students do not need to learn just facts about the Bible, but how to make it the main part of their lives.
A Bible class should teach students how to think like a Christian, not just what a Christian thinks. That goes for any topic covered in the class. Facts are great. Especially for playing Bible trivia games or if someone is on Jeopardy! But Christians need to understand how those facts apply to their lives. A teacher can tell students, “Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t dance, etc,” for an hour, but then the student leaves class and goes out on his own. Sooner or later they will be in a situation that is not exactly like the one talked about in class. If they have not been taught HOW to apply biblical principles and reason out the problem, they will not be able to make the right decision. Teachers cannot make every decision for their students, so they have to teach students to make proper decisions in real time.
Paul talks about thinking like a Christian and making God-like decisions in Romans 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Notice that there is a pattern both for the world and for God’s way of thinking. If students learn just facts about the Bible or answers someone else tells them, they do not learn God’s pattern. In fact, they only learn how to put Bible facts into the pattern of the world. Instead, Christians should transform their minds, renew them to think like God so they can put things from the world into God’s pattern. When a Christian knows how to think and view things the way God views them, he can test, he can prove, he can reason out what God wants him to do.
That is difficult to do in a lecture class because the students do not have to follow the reasoning to the conclusion. They only have to hear the final answer. It is much easier to teach the thinking process in a discussion-style class. In that setting, a teacher can better understand what the students think about the topic; consequently, the teacher can not only give them the right answer but can also guide them to the proper pattern of thought. In this way, the teacher can show students the process of how to reach the truth rather than simply handing them conclusions.
Next week’s article will cover how to conduct a discussion-style class.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
How to Teach a Better Bible Class: Pray for the Lesson by Josh Hardin
Prayer is the simplest way to ensure that a Bible class goes well and achieves its goal. Many people, however, avoid prayer except in times of distress. Some people forget to pray, some have only certain times of day that they pray, and some think God should not be bothered unless the problem is too big to handle without Him. None of those reflect the Bible’s view on prayer. Prayer is effective in any situation, no matter how great or small, and God tells Christians to use it continuously. It is a first act of preparation, dedication, and guidance, not a last resort when human effort fails. A Christian’s instinctive reaction to a problem of any size should be to stop and pray.
Prayer asks for God’s help and guidance, and puts a Christian in the proper mindset of acceptance of His aide rather than reliance on personal effort. People can fail. God does not. This is true for even the simplest situations and smallest decisions. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3). A negative example of this is found in Joshua chapter 9. Joshua and the Israelites made a treaty with people they met. It seemed like an easy decision, but verse 14 says they “did not inquire of the Lord.” Joshua later found out that the people lied, but he couldn’t go back on the treaty. The Israelites regretted that simple decision for years because they did not think to ask God first. Bible class is a perfect example of that same need to seek God’s guidance first. It is something so simple, something that a person can do without help, but it is imperative that God be a part of it. A Bible teacher should teach God’s Word, not their own. There is no better way to make sure that happens than to ask God. He will help; and the teacher will go into the class understanding that the students benefit from God’s Word, not the teacher’s effort.
Prayer does not have to be complicated. It does not have to generate a feeling of awe, or devotion, or peace. It does not have to be long. It can be and often should be very simple. A prayer for a Bible class can be as easy as “Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to teach these students the right way. Let me teach your Word and not mine, and let them learn what they need to learn. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.” It can be prayed on the way to worship service, before the lesson is studied, or right before a teacher walks through the door to class.
It is not easy to see how God helps through prayer, but the Bible says that He always does help when a Christian asks in the right way. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). That goes for any situation, great or small, including Bible class.
Prayer asks for God’s help and guidance, and puts a Christian in the proper mindset of acceptance of His aide rather than reliance on personal effort. People can fail. God does not. This is true for even the simplest situations and smallest decisions. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3). A negative example of this is found in Joshua chapter 9. Joshua and the Israelites made a treaty with people they met. It seemed like an easy decision, but verse 14 says they “did not inquire of the Lord.” Joshua later found out that the people lied, but he couldn’t go back on the treaty. The Israelites regretted that simple decision for years because they did not think to ask God first. Bible class is a perfect example of that same need to seek God’s guidance first. It is something so simple, something that a person can do without help, but it is imperative that God be a part of it. A Bible teacher should teach God’s Word, not their own. There is no better way to make sure that happens than to ask God. He will help; and the teacher will go into the class understanding that the students benefit from God’s Word, not the teacher’s effort.
Prayer does not have to be complicated. It does not have to generate a feeling of awe, or devotion, or peace. It does not have to be long. It can be and often should be very simple. A prayer for a Bible class can be as easy as “Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to teach these students the right way. Let me teach your Word and not mine, and let them learn what they need to learn. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.” It can be prayed on the way to worship service, before the lesson is studied, or right before a teacher walks through the door to class.
It is not easy to see how God helps through prayer, but the Bible says that He always does help when a Christian asks in the right way. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). That goes for any situation, great or small, including Bible class.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
How to Teach a Better Bible Class: Start the Class by Requiring Thought from the Students by Josh Hardin
Class sessions that are the most successful require thought from the students. The earlier that thought is required, the better. When students have to think, when they are forced to take an active part in the lesson, they are more likely to pay attention and learn. Each class session should begin with something that requires thought from the students and focuses their minds on the lesson topic.
Many classes begin with lecture or a scripture reading. There is nothing wrong with either, but they do not require anything from the students except that they listen. Listening is the hardest thing for a student to do, especially at the very beginning of a class period. Students may have just gotten out of bed, or they may be thinking about what happened at school or work or what they must do for the next day. What they need is something that will bring their minds to the lesson at hand, and listening to another person talk will not do it.
It seems like a normal thing for a teacher to talk and to tell the students things they need to know. Most people, teenagers and even adults, tune out the drone of a lecture. Everyone who has sat through a class has done this. The teacher’s voice becomes just a dull roar in the background. Their words turn into nonsense sounds just like the teachers on Charlie Brown. (Wak wa wak wak wak, wa wa wak.) If a class period begins with the teacher talking for five minutes, a large number of students will stop paying attention. The teacher may not get it back for the rest of the class time. It is much better to get the students’ minds thinking right away. Once their attention is fixed, it is harder to lose it.
A student’s mind needs to be warmed up for the learning ahead. Just like an oven must be preheated or a car takes a few minutes after startup before it runs smooth, the brain has to “get going” on a train of thought in order to really work right. The teacher can help this by opening up the class with a small activity or thinking question that relates to the main point of the lesson.
These activities do not have to be complicated. For instance, if the lesson is on peace, the teacher might ask, “What do you think of when you hear the word ‘peace’?” Each answer can then be written on a chalkboard for reference later in the class. For a lesson on patience, the teacher can ask the class to think of people they know who are patient and what makes them patient. Some activities might require a little preparation before class, while others need none at all. In either case, the students’ minds will be focused on the topic and ready to think about the lesson. Not only is this easier on the teacher, but the students will learn more from the Bible study.
Many classes begin with lecture or a scripture reading. There is nothing wrong with either, but they do not require anything from the students except that they listen. Listening is the hardest thing for a student to do, especially at the very beginning of a class period. Students may have just gotten out of bed, or they may be thinking about what happened at school or work or what they must do for the next day. What they need is something that will bring their minds to the lesson at hand, and listening to another person talk will not do it.
It seems like a normal thing for a teacher to talk and to tell the students things they need to know. Most people, teenagers and even adults, tune out the drone of a lecture. Everyone who has sat through a class has done this. The teacher’s voice becomes just a dull roar in the background. Their words turn into nonsense sounds just like the teachers on Charlie Brown. (Wak wa wak wak wak, wa wa wak.) If a class period begins with the teacher talking for five minutes, a large number of students will stop paying attention. The teacher may not get it back for the rest of the class time. It is much better to get the students’ minds thinking right away. Once their attention is fixed, it is harder to lose it.
A student’s mind needs to be warmed up for the learning ahead. Just like an oven must be preheated or a car takes a few minutes after startup before it runs smooth, the brain has to “get going” on a train of thought in order to really work right. The teacher can help this by opening up the class with a small activity or thinking question that relates to the main point of the lesson.
These activities do not have to be complicated. For instance, if the lesson is on peace, the teacher might ask, “What do you think of when you hear the word ‘peace’?” Each answer can then be written on a chalkboard for reference later in the class. For a lesson on patience, the teacher can ask the class to think of people they know who are patient and what makes them patient. Some activities might require a little preparation before class, while others need none at all. In either case, the students’ minds will be focused on the topic and ready to think about the lesson. Not only is this easier on the teacher, but the students will learn more from the Bible study.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
How to Teach a Better Bible Class: Know the Lesson by Josh Hardin
The best way for a teacher to conduct a good Bible class is to study the lesson before trying to teach it. This sounds obvious, and most teachers will say, “Sure, I know that.” But many teachers still neglect to spend enough time in study before the class session. Weekly schedules are hectic. Our brains just want to shut down and rest after a day at work. Saturdays are filled with odd jobs to do around the house. Sunday sneaks up and the lesson still has not been studied. Any teacher who has run out of time and thought, “I know enough. I’ll just wing it,” knows what that experience is like. The class is rarely helpful and is often frustrating for both students and teachers. Those are the Sunday mornings when students fight to stay awake because it is obvious the teacher is not sure what to say or where the lesson is going.
The good news is that it really does not take long to prepare for a Bible lesson. The hardest part is the decision to start. A total of two hours of study time the week before will be enough. It can be thirty minutes a night, or an hour Friday and Saturday. It is also easier to study if a few points are kept in mind.
• Decide upon the ONE MAIN POINT you want to get across.
• Think about what the students need to think about in order to learn.
• Think about possible questions the students might ask.
• Write down passages of scripture that relate to the topic. Even if you are teaching from a book of lessons, try to find passages that the book does not give. It will help you understand the lesson and be more prepared to teach.
Many of these things can be done on the way to and from work. Think through the main points of the lesson, what needs to be said, and what the Bible says about the topic or passage. Think about how you, the teacher, came to understand the lesson and if there are questions you had or still have. This type of preparation takes up little time, helps students learn and stay interested, and gets easier with practice.
Preparation not only makes a Bible class more interesting and thoughtful, but it is also pleasing to God. Instructing others about the truth of the Bible is a serious matter. Teachers have a responsibility to God to give their very best for Him. In Malachi 1, God tells the people He is displeased with their offerings because they are second-rate. “Try offering them to your governor!” (verse 8). A boss or job supervisor would not be pleased with a worker who came to work unprepared, overdue on deadlines, or unfamiliar with what had to be done. Not only is it helpful for a teacher to be prepared, it is also a duty to give the very best effort to God.
The good news is that it really does not take long to prepare for a Bible lesson. The hardest part is the decision to start. A total of two hours of study time the week before will be enough. It can be thirty minutes a night, or an hour Friday and Saturday. It is also easier to study if a few points are kept in mind.
• Decide upon the ONE MAIN POINT you want to get across.
• Think about what the students need to think about in order to learn.
• Think about possible questions the students might ask.
• Write down passages of scripture that relate to the topic. Even if you are teaching from a book of lessons, try to find passages that the book does not give. It will help you understand the lesson and be more prepared to teach.
Many of these things can be done on the way to and from work. Think through the main points of the lesson, what needs to be said, and what the Bible says about the topic or passage. Think about how you, the teacher, came to understand the lesson and if there are questions you had or still have. This type of preparation takes up little time, helps students learn and stay interested, and gets easier with practice.
Preparation not only makes a Bible class more interesting and thoughtful, but it is also pleasing to God. Instructing others about the truth of the Bible is a serious matter. Teachers have a responsibility to God to give their very best for Him. In Malachi 1, God tells the people He is displeased with their offerings because they are second-rate. “Try offering them to your governor!” (verse 8). A boss or job supervisor would not be pleased with a worker who came to work unprepared, overdue on deadlines, or unfamiliar with what had to be done. Not only is it helpful for a teacher to be prepared, it is also a duty to give the very best effort to God.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
How to Teach a Better Bible Class: Introduction by Josh Hardin
Many people are afraid to teach a Sunday School Bible class. Some people are uncomfortable standing in front of a group. Others think their Bible knowledge is limited. Still others would like to teach, but believe they do not have the ability. It is right to have a respect for teaching the Bible, as James 3:1 indicates: “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” That doesn’t mean, however, that every Christian should avoid teaching. It means that a person who decides to teach a Bible class should understand the responsibility to study and present a truthful and meaningful lesson. A Christian who is afraid or nervous about teaching a class should not feel overwhelmed, but should instead work to become a good teacher. And a teacher with years of experience should continue to work to do their best.
Congregations need mature Christians who are willing to teach and who will also do a good job. Bible students need teachers who can teach them the truth and show them how to study the Bible on their own. Many capable Christians shy away from teaching because they feel they are not very good at it, while others teach but often feel they have not done an adequate job. It is true that teaching can be difficult, but it is possible to go from being a poor teacher to a good one or from a good teacher to a great one. Nervous teachers can learn to be comfortable in a classroom. Teachers who seem to get little response from students can learn how to lead interesting discussion classes. Great teachers are not born, they are made, but it takes time and effort. Unfortunately, there are not that many opportunities for Bible teachers to learn how to teach.
That is the purpose of the Bible Teachers Workshop at Lambert Book House. Teachers need training, not just for the benefit of the students, but for their own benefit as well. Trained teachers are more comfortable in the classroom and can be confident that they meet the responsibility God places on them to teach people how to live and think as Christians.
Over the next eight weeks, the Bible Teacher’s Workshop will publish articles that will help teachers of any experience level gain an understanding of what is expected in a Bible class and give some simple guidelines on how to teach a better lesson. These ideas are practical reminders that help a Bible teacher improve their skills in the classroom. The lessons will not turn someone into a perfect teacher overnight, but they will help any teacher present a thoughtful and interesting lesson on God’s Word. When put into use over time, these articles can help turn a willing Christian into a good Bible teacher.
Congregations need mature Christians who are willing to teach and who will also do a good job. Bible students need teachers who can teach them the truth and show them how to study the Bible on their own. Many capable Christians shy away from teaching because they feel they are not very good at it, while others teach but often feel they have not done an adequate job. It is true that teaching can be difficult, but it is possible to go from being a poor teacher to a good one or from a good teacher to a great one. Nervous teachers can learn to be comfortable in a classroom. Teachers who seem to get little response from students can learn how to lead interesting discussion classes. Great teachers are not born, they are made, but it takes time and effort. Unfortunately, there are not that many opportunities for Bible teachers to learn how to teach.
That is the purpose of the Bible Teachers Workshop at Lambert Book House. Teachers need training, not just for the benefit of the students, but for their own benefit as well. Trained teachers are more comfortable in the classroom and can be confident that they meet the responsibility God places on them to teach people how to live and think as Christians.
Over the next eight weeks, the Bible Teacher’s Workshop will publish articles that will help teachers of any experience level gain an understanding of what is expected in a Bible class and give some simple guidelines on how to teach a better lesson. These ideas are practical reminders that help a Bible teacher improve their skills in the classroom. The lessons will not turn someone into a perfect teacher overnight, but they will help any teacher present a thoughtful and interesting lesson on God’s Word. When put into use over time, these articles can help turn a willing Christian into a good Bible teacher.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Promoting Your VBS: Raising Your Visibility in the Community
By Ann Hammond McCamy
In the seventeenth century, when the Puritans began settling our Eastern shore, Sunday was a cherished day of rest from hard work. These early Americans looked forward to spending an entire day in church, sitting on rough, backless benches in poorly heated meeting rooms. People today have much more than just work and church clamoring for their attention. Clubs, music lessons, sports, and an endless stream of media entertainment push more important matters into the background. How can the church get people’s attention when everyone is so busy? A simple answer is to go where they are! Here are some ideas for promoting your Vacation Bible School and other church events in the community.
Does your town hold a Memorial Day parade or other parade in spring or early summer? If so, organize a group from your congregation to march. Wear your Lambert Walking in SON Light T-shirts, and carry a placard or banner announcing the name and location of your congregation. Consider singing as you march (try to be placed far from any marching bands in the line-up). Have a few members of your group toss wrapped candy to spectators. See if you can obtain permission to hand out Lambert postcards or door hangers announcing your VBS along the parade route. If not, perhaps you can have a few non-marching members wearing matching t-shirts work the crowd as politicians do. Your presence at the parade will raise awareness of your presence in the community.
If your community has a festival, street fair, or community day event, rent a booth or table and be part of it! Attract people to your booth with an inexpensive festival freebie: cotton candy, snow cones, bottled water, popcorn, Lambert Bible trading cards, or face-painting. If you can invest a bit more, also print your message on flying disks, ball and paddle toys, ball-point pens, or other appealing gifts. While people are visiting your booth, share your VBS schedule and be sure to mention any other upcoming events your congregation has planned. One congregation has a drawing for a free Bible each year at its community day booth. The Bible give-away spreads God’s Word, sometimes with amazing results. A teen Bible winner and her entire family were baptized!
Finally, don’t overlook the old-fashioned, low-tech ways of bringing people in. Go door-to-door with a short and simple invitation to attend your VBS. Lambert door hangers are perfect for this. Hand them to those who answer the door, and hang them on the doorknob if no one is home. For a twist on the tradition of Christmas caroling, go serenading on an early summer evening. Sing traditional hymns and give out door hangers to anyone who comes out to listen. Mail out postcards to anyone who has attended your VBS in the past. Let your kids call their friends and fill your car or van to its capacity.
The Director Planning Guide that comes with your Lambert VBS kit has more exciting ideas for promoting your VBS. Hundreds of today’s church members first heard the gospel message at a Vacation Bible School. Start now to be sure your congregation is noticed in the community!
In the seventeenth century, when the Puritans began settling our Eastern shore, Sunday was a cherished day of rest from hard work. These early Americans looked forward to spending an entire day in church, sitting on rough, backless benches in poorly heated meeting rooms. People today have much more than just work and church clamoring for their attention. Clubs, music lessons, sports, and an endless stream of media entertainment push more important matters into the background. How can the church get people’s attention when everyone is so busy? A simple answer is to go where they are! Here are some ideas for promoting your Vacation Bible School and other church events in the community.
Does your town hold a Memorial Day parade or other parade in spring or early summer? If so, organize a group from your congregation to march. Wear your Lambert Walking in SON Light T-shirts, and carry a placard or banner announcing the name and location of your congregation. Consider singing as you march (try to be placed far from any marching bands in the line-up). Have a few members of your group toss wrapped candy to spectators. See if you can obtain permission to hand out Lambert postcards or door hangers announcing your VBS along the parade route. If not, perhaps you can have a few non-marching members wearing matching t-shirts work the crowd as politicians do. Your presence at the parade will raise awareness of your presence in the community.
If your community has a festival, street fair, or community day event, rent a booth or table and be part of it! Attract people to your booth with an inexpensive festival freebie: cotton candy, snow cones, bottled water, popcorn, Lambert Bible trading cards, or face-painting. If you can invest a bit more, also print your message on flying disks, ball and paddle toys, ball-point pens, or other appealing gifts. While people are visiting your booth, share your VBS schedule and be sure to mention any other upcoming events your congregation has planned. One congregation has a drawing for a free Bible each year at its community day booth. The Bible give-away spreads God’s Word, sometimes with amazing results. A teen Bible winner and her entire family were baptized!
Finally, don’t overlook the old-fashioned, low-tech ways of bringing people in. Go door-to-door with a short and simple invitation to attend your VBS. Lambert door hangers are perfect for this. Hand them to those who answer the door, and hang them on the doorknob if no one is home. For a twist on the tradition of Christmas caroling, go serenading on an early summer evening. Sing traditional hymns and give out door hangers to anyone who comes out to listen. Mail out postcards to anyone who has attended your VBS in the past. Let your kids call their friends and fill your car or van to its capacity.
The Director Planning Guide that comes with your Lambert VBS kit has more exciting ideas for promoting your VBS. Hundreds of today’s church members first heard the gospel message at a Vacation Bible School. Start now to be sure your congregation is noticed in the community!
Promoting Your Vacation Bible School: Working with the Local Press
By Ann Hammond McCamy
If you want to use your VBS to reach out to your community, there will have to be lots of promotion to ensure that visitors come to hear God’s message. There are two ways to get your message out through the media: publicity and advertising. What’s the difference? Publicity is free. Advertising costs money. Both are effective, but since publicity is free, it’s a good place to start.
To get publicity, you will need to send press releases to your local paper. Look at community notices they already publish to get a sense of the length and tone they usually accept. In a small community paper, there may be only one or two editors. To work with a large city paper where there are dozens of employees, you may need to cultivate a working relationship with someone in the newsroom, and send your releases directly to that person.
In the Director Planning Guide of your Lambert VBS kit, there is a sample press release you can edit to suit your needs. Add a contact number for your publicity person so if newspaper personnel have questions, they can reach you. Also add a phone number for the church building or for your VBS director in the body of the article so potential visitors can call if they have questions. If your congregation has prepared something especially newsworthy for VBS, be sure to include that in your release, also. A press release is journalism, not creative writing, so stick to items usually covered in journalistic articles: who, what, when, and where. The shorter and simpler your article, the greater the chance it will be published exactly as you submit it. If you are working with a small community newspaper, consider submitting a high-quality photo with your press release. Have several of your congregation’s children pose as they preview the materials and activities, and snap photos that show everyone’s face clearly. Include a caption that includes each child’s name. Hometown editors know that photos of kids sell papers, as parents buy extra copies!
If there are no small community newspapers in your area, getting publicity may be a little harder. You probably will not get a “hit” in the Boston Globe or the New York Times. But there is a little trick that may help you obtain publicity in slightly smaller newspapers. Contact an advertising salesperson and purchase an advertisement or a series of ads. Once you have established a relationship with an ad person, send a copy of every press release to that person as well as to the newsroom.
To get radio and television announcements, edit your press release down to the minimum information: congregation name and location, date and time. This shortened form is called a public service announcement, or PSA. Be sure your PSA includes a phone number to call for more information.
Keep in mind a few final tips: Assign one or two people to handle your press contacts, and be sure they coordinate their efforts to avoid duplications. Send your press releases out via mail or email about two weeks before you want them to appear. Send notices to all community papers and radio and TV stations in your area. Remember that the local press is not obligated to run your announcements. If you want to guarantee your material gets printed, purchase an advertisement. Finally, try to find out how visitors heard about your VBS. If they saw it in the local media, you will know your efforts were worthwhile!
If you want to use your VBS to reach out to your community, there will have to be lots of promotion to ensure that visitors come to hear God’s message. There are two ways to get your message out through the media: publicity and advertising. What’s the difference? Publicity is free. Advertising costs money. Both are effective, but since publicity is free, it’s a good place to start.
To get publicity, you will need to send press releases to your local paper. Look at community notices they already publish to get a sense of the length and tone they usually accept. In a small community paper, there may be only one or two editors. To work with a large city paper where there are dozens of employees, you may need to cultivate a working relationship with someone in the newsroom, and send your releases directly to that person.
In the Director Planning Guide of your Lambert VBS kit, there is a sample press release you can edit to suit your needs. Add a contact number for your publicity person so if newspaper personnel have questions, they can reach you. Also add a phone number for the church building or for your VBS director in the body of the article so potential visitors can call if they have questions. If your congregation has prepared something especially newsworthy for VBS, be sure to include that in your release, also. A press release is journalism, not creative writing, so stick to items usually covered in journalistic articles: who, what, when, and where. The shorter and simpler your article, the greater the chance it will be published exactly as you submit it. If you are working with a small community newspaper, consider submitting a high-quality photo with your press release. Have several of your congregation’s children pose as they preview the materials and activities, and snap photos that show everyone’s face clearly. Include a caption that includes each child’s name. Hometown editors know that photos of kids sell papers, as parents buy extra copies!
If there are no small community newspapers in your area, getting publicity may be a little harder. You probably will not get a “hit” in the Boston Globe or the New York Times. But there is a little trick that may help you obtain publicity in slightly smaller newspapers. Contact an advertising salesperson and purchase an advertisement or a series of ads. Once you have established a relationship with an ad person, send a copy of every press release to that person as well as to the newsroom.
To get radio and television announcements, edit your press release down to the minimum information: congregation name and location, date and time. This shortened form is called a public service announcement, or PSA. Be sure your PSA includes a phone number to call for more information.
Keep in mind a few final tips: Assign one or two people to handle your press contacts, and be sure they coordinate their efforts to avoid duplications. Send your press releases out via mail or email about two weeks before you want them to appear. Send notices to all community papers and radio and TV stations in your area. Remember that the local press is not obligated to run your announcements. If you want to guarantee your material gets printed, purchase an advertisement. Finally, try to find out how visitors heard about your VBS. If they saw it in the local media, you will know your efforts were worthwhile!
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