Reaching Out in a Networked World:
Expressing Your Congregation’s Heart and Soul

by Lynne M. Baab

The recent explosion in ways to communicate

• e-mail,
• websites,
• blogs,
• podcasts,
• social networking websites,
• projection screens in worship,
• digital cameras, and many more

has created challenges for congregations. Lynne Baab’s new book helps leaders of congregations understand the opportunities offered by many of the new forms of digital communication. Her free ebook from The Alban Institute contains related material:

Websites That Work
Lynne's free ebook offers practical ways to develop or improve church websites. Please feel free to share this resource with congregational leaders and others who work with church communications. download book [pdf]

Endorsements of Reaching Out...

“Our world and culture are changing rapidly and the ways that we as churches communicate our values and identity need to change too in order to be relevant. The use of technology in particular has revolutionized the ways that we form community and network. In her book Reaching Out in a Networked World, Lynne Baab gives us very practical suggestions as to how we can continue to be relevant in this rapidly changing world. It is full of rich examples and information that make it a must read for anyone seeking to lead a church today.” — Christine Sine, CEO, Mustard Seed Associates, Seattle

“This is the book pastors and lay leaders need to read if they care about the face their congregation presents to the community. In a thoughtful yet accessible way Lynne Baab discusses the ways congregations communicate (or fail to communicate) their heart and, especially, how the new communication technologies can be used faithfully and effectively.” — William Dyrness, Professor of Theology and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary

“If you’re looking for Church Communications 2.0, you’ve found it. Lynne Baab leaves no technology unturned in this marvelously practical, thoughtful guide. From the latest trends in marketing, websites, e-mails, blogs, mission statements, projection screens, and PowerPoint to online communities, Reaching Out helps your congregation express its unique identity with authenticity, style, and coherence.” — Sally Morgenthaler, author, Worship Evangelism

“Lynne Baab has written a wonderful and balanced book full of practical insight. She fearlessly explains the direction in which we will be going and she gives us the tools to get there. Using Reaching Out in a Networked World as a guide, we can learn how to tell the story of who our churches are. But even more than that, we can imagine what our spiritual communities might become, and we can begin to communicate that message in a networked world, in ways that a new generation is ready to hear.” — From the foreword by Carol Howard Merritt, author, Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation (Alban Institute, 2007)

“Every church I know is adopting new technology in their communication, but often without considering whether it is being used to express the personality and values of the congregation with clarity, authenticity, and beauty. After reading Lynne Baab’s book, I will never look at websites, newsletters, worship bulletins, projected images or even email messages the same. Here is a practical, understandable, and faithful guide to the use of new media in congregational life. It is a must read.” — Dr. Stephen Hayner, Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth, Columbia Theological Seminary

purchase from Amazon

purchase from The Alban Institute

excerpt

Reviews
New Media for Ordinary People Kimberlee Conway Ireton

Staying Relevant and Faithful in a Changing World Monica McDowell

Prophetic Words for Congregations Barbara Bjelland