Is your church "Busy" or "Connected"

In Northern Ohio, hard work is part of our daily rhythm. Every week, church members invest countless hours planning Vacation Bible School, preparing sermons, organizing food pantries, and making sure everything is ready for Sunday services. Yet, amid all this activity, a challenging question arises: Are we so caught up in church work that we forget to introduce ourselves to the people living right next door?

This question is not about criticizing the effort put into church activities. Instead, it invites us to pause and reflect on how we connect with our community beyond the church walls. Many of us think of marketing as a flashy, corporate term that doesn’t belong in church life. But after years of experience managing large advertising budgets and growing online audiences, I’ve learned that marketing is simply the first step in discipleship. It’s the friendly digital “hello” that reaches a lonely neighbor searching for hope on a Tuesday night. It’s a short video clip that shares a message of encouragement with someone who hasn’t been inside a church for years.

Let’s explore how churches in Northern Ohio can stop being busy with tasks and start making meaningful connections with neighbors.

Stop the Busy Work and Use What You Already Have

Churches are full of valuable content and activities that can be shared beyond Sunday mornings. Instead of adding more to your to-do list, think about how to repurpose what you already create.

• Sermons: Turn your weekly sermon into short video clips or written reflections that can be shared on social media or community bulletin boards.

• Events: Promote Vacation Bible School, food pantry days, and other events not just to church members but with a tailored message to the wider neighborhood.

• Stories: Share testimonies and stories of how your church helps people in the community. Real stories build trust and invite curiosity.

  
  

By focusing on connection points throughout the week, your church can reach people who might never walk through the front door on Sunday.

Find Your Flavor and Reflect Your Community

Your church doesn’t need to look like a megachurch in Atlanta or a large city. What matters is authenticity and being a beacon in your own town—whether that’s Strongsville, Akron, or Canton.

• Know your neighbors: What are their needs, hopes, and challenges? Tailor your messages and outreach to reflect those realities.

• Use local language and culture: Speak in ways that resonate with your community’s identity.

• Show your personality: Whether your church is traditional, contemporary, or somewhere in between, let that shine through in your communications.

  
  

When your church reflects the community it serves, people feel more welcome and understood.

The open doors of a local church invite neighbors to come inside and connect.

Open the Front Door and Make It Easy to Find You

One of the biggest barriers for new visitors is simply not knowing where to go or what to expect. Churches can remove this barrier by making information clear and accessible.

• Clear directions: Make sure your website and social media pages have easy-to-find addresses, service times, and parking information.

• Welcoming language: Use phrases that invite questions and express openness to newcomers.

• Consistent presence: Keep your church visible in the community through signs, flyers, and participation in local events.

  
  

When people feel confident about visiting, they are more likely to take that first step.

Real Connections Solve Real Problems

Church work is important, but it should lead to real-world impact. Connecting with neighbors means understanding their struggles and offering support that goes beyond Sunday services.

• Food pantries and outreach: Highlight how your church helps meet basic needs and invite neighbors to participate or receive help.

• Community partnerships: Work with local organizations to address issues like homelessness, addiction, or youth programs.

• Personal invitations: Encourage church members to invite neighbors to events or small groups.

  
  

These connections build trust and show that your church cares about the whole person.

Let’s Talk About Your Church

I’m John Funtik, a marketing strategist and your neighbor in the pew. I want to help churches in Northern Ohio stop being busy with tasks and start making real connections that matter. If your church is ready to open its doors wider and reach more people, let’s grab a coffee and talk about how to make that happen.