The Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America represents approximately 90 congregations in Arizona and parts of Nevada. teamworks worked with this nonprofit organization for four years to develop its monthly (and later bi-monthly) electronic newsletter and also created a video supporting the organization’s Mission Development office.
Highlights
One of the primary goals of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is to build new congregations in areas where the church is underserved. For the Grand Canyon Synod (GCS) of the ELCA, which serves more than 80 congregations in Arizona and parts of Nevada, this mission includes connecting current congregations with groups of people wanting to start or renew a Lutheran congregation.
teamworks partnered with the Mission Development office of the GCS to create a video that illustrated four formative congregations, in an effort to draw more partner congregations. This video was featured at the annual Synod Assembly, and portions of it also were used in other outreach efforts. Working with the director of the development office, and the Synod Bishop, teamworks researched local videographers, developed questionnaires for the featured churches, created the script and attended tapings. We then worked with Jae Staats of Ballboy Productions to create and edit the film into a workable format for the Assembly, and to re-craft the main film into four separate short films for each new church to use for development purposes.
“Wonderful. High quality, just what I was hoping,” noted Bishop Steve Talmage. “We really appreciate the work put into this and believe it will be a source of positive mission interpretation and set the table for telling the story of other ministries in the Synod.”
Twice each month, teamworks creates an electronic newsletter for the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA — researching stories, interviewing pastors and laypeople, and creating content. In addition, we built a database of congregational communicants who help publicize the newsletter within their congregational media channels.
After years of trying to build and implement a communication plan internally we sought help from some professionals who understand our mission, partners and audience. teamworks has helped us communicate clearer and in broader ways. We have only had positive feedback from their involvement.