As a multi-site church, it is also important that we speak carefully about our many sites. We should each memorize, “We are one church in [number] locations.” Here are some language guidelines regarding our multi-site strategy:
Us vs. Them:
It’s dangerous to start referring to the various campuses of our church as “them” because it sets up emotional walls and separates the team. We need to use “we, our, or us” as much as possible.
Avoid: “They broke some more gear this weekend.”
Better: “We continue to have gear breaking at our Xxxxx Campus.”
Avoid: “They had another record day in Westerville!”
Better: “We had another record day in Westerville!”
Location Specific Communication:
Inevitably, each campus will need to refer to itself when communicating to the public (written or printed). While referring to a specific campus or to the people of that campus, please refer to it as “Lifepoint Church”, as that is the context that people are in already. Referring to “Lifepoint – campus” creates further separation of our one church philosophy. Again, thinking with a franchise mentality helps. When you go to Wendys, you are going to Wendys; not Wendys – Lewis Center. These guidelines apply to both written and verbal communication.
In cases where we must distinguish the campus, the preferred way of describing a campus is:
“Lifepoint Church – Lewis Center Campus”
or in the case of a ministry name: “Lifepoint Kids – Delaware Campus”.
“Lifepoint Church” is preferable to “Lifepoint”.
“Lifepoint Church – Westerville Campus” is preferable to “Lifepoint Church – Westerville”.
INCORRECT examples would be “Lifepoint Lewis Center”, “Lifepoint – DW”, “Lifepoint Kids – Lewis Ctr”, “Lifepoint – Del Students”
Within Pre-Established Context
If we’re already speaking within the context of Lifepoint Church, it’s ok to refer to it as “Lifepoint”. i.e., pastor on stage can say “…Here at Lifepoint” and “Lifepoint gave ___ last year”.
The same is true in context where the name is already represented, i.e., an email coming from Lifepoint Church – Delaware (with Lifepoint Church – Delaware written as the sender) can say “…If you’re new to Lifepoint, we hope you’ll… ”
Bonus note: abbreviations for our campuses for internal (staff only) communication: Lewis Center = LC, Delaware = Del, Westerville = Wes, Plain City = PC, Marion = Mar
Share The Love:
As a written or oral communicator on behalf of Lifepoint you have a big influence in helping close the gap between campuses and nurturing the “one church in x locations goal. Give a shoutout from time to time. When making announcements, be sure to mention the baptism goal that the other campus just broke, or the new building opening, etc… let’s share our victories.
Posting & Hashtag Guidelines
Series hashtags should be agreed on by staff to maintain consistency and quality.
Current Hashtags
Campus Profiles
LEWIS CENTER
DELAWARE
WESTERVILLE
PROFILE “OWNERSHIP”
While no one really “owns” anything on the internet, we are in an unusual dilemma of needing to connect with people and also needing to maintain integrity. Because the feeds of people we “follow” or “like” also appear in feeds with Lifepoint names attached to them, Lifepoint social media profiles are only to subscribe to feeds of other Lifepoint staff who have consented to the staff core values.