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MEDIA BYTES

By Rev. Marty Levesque

AS THE CALENDAR turns to January and February, parishes across our diocese are preparing for the annual tradition of Vestry. It's a time for reflection, electing new wardens and councils, and, critically, approving the parish budget for the year ahead.

While most of our discussion rightly focuses on core pillars, such as salaries, facilities, and outreach ministries, there is one line item that demands a new level of scrutiny in our digital age: Media and Communications.

How much resources go into sharing your good news with the wider community? And are you treating this expenditure as a cost, or as an essential investment in the future growth of your church and ministry?

When financial advisors look at a healthy church budget, they typically focus on major categories:

  • Salaries Costs: Often 40-50% of the budget.

  • Facilities (Maintenance, Utilities, Mortgage): Often 20-30% of the budget.

  • Ministries, Outreach, and Missions: Generally, 10-20% of the budget.

Yet, a dedicated line for "Media and Advertisement" is often non-existent, or is scattered under administration, a one-off for a Christmas banner, or buried in a generic "supplies" category.

In the secular business world, a rule of thumb for marketing is to spend 5% of revenue just to maintain your current position, and 10% to achieve significant growth. While the Church is not a business, we are called to actively grow God's Kingdom. How does our investment in communication stack up against this idea of intentional growth?

As you review the draft budget for 2026, consider raising these questions with your Vestry:

  • Audit the Hidden Costs: Where are we already spending money on communication (website hosting, bulletins, copier lease, online giving fees)? Gather these into one visible "Communications & Technology" line item.

  • Align Budget to Mission: If our mission is to welcome new people and engage our neighbours, is 1% or less truly enough for the primary tool that facilitates that initial connection?

  • Invest for the Future: Could a dedicated, small but significant budget (even 2-3%) for proactive media and communications be the most effective outreach money we spend this year? This could cover a website overhaul, a new microphone for the livestream, or even a small, targeted social media ad to promote a Lenten program.

Vestry is a moment to not just reflect on what we did, but to make a courageous, intentional plan for what God is calling us to do next.

Let's ensure our budget reflects the value we place on sharing the good news of our parish with a world that is searching for it.

Rev. Marty Levesque is the rector of All Saints’ in Waterloo. He served as diocesan social media officer.

martylevesque@diohuron.org

Photo: Jon Tyson/Unplash