Caffeinated Church Gatherings (Virtual)
A day together
CENTERED ON CREATIVE COLLABORATION
Saturday, July 18, 2026 | on Zoom
9:00 am to 2:00 pm PT / 10:00 am to 3:00 pm MT / 11:00 am to 4:00 pm CT / 12:00 to 5:00 pm ET
Whether you're a volunteer who suddenly became "the communications person," a pastor wearing one more hat than expected, a church administrator, or someone who simply wants to help tell your congregation's story more effectively, this workshop is designed for you.
Think of it as a practical, approachable Communications 101 course for churches. This hands-on intensive is designed to help you build a strong foundation in the essential skills communicators need today. Together, we'll explore graphic design, marketing and advertising, layout and publication design, website development, and the practical realities of communicating in small and mid-sized congregations.
We'll also discuss best practices, budgeting, free and low-cost resources, workflow strategies, and the common challenges church communicators and administrators face. Along the way, you'll gain practical tools, real-world examples, and ideas you can immediately apply in your congregation or organization.
This is an excellent alternative to a large conference—especially for volunteers, part-time staff, clergy, and those who are new to communications work. Instead of trying to absorb dozens of workshops over a weekend, you'll spend a focused day building confidence, learning core skills, and connecting with others doing similar work.
We'll spend 2½ hours learning together in the morning, take a generous lunch break, and return for another 2½ hours of interactive training and conversation in the afternoon.
By the end of the day, you'll leave more grounded, more confident, and better equipped to share your church's story with clarity, creativity, and purpose. Whether you're creating a bulletin, building a website, promoting an event, designing a graphic, or helping shape your congregation's communications strategy, this workshop will give you a practical place to start.
Upcoming Offerings:
Saturday, July 18
Thursday, November 12
“All church staff should be required to attend the Caffeinated Church Gathering! It would be especially important for those with limited knowledge of Marketing concepts, but it is a valuable review and update even for those with extensive experience. I have worked in PR, Marketing and Sales for 30 years; and I learned a lot! Thank you for a day well spent! It was worth every minute.”
YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
Relationship building with other communicators and administrators.
Training on how you and your volunteers can produce professional results.
Resources for graphic design, website management, eNewsletters, and more.
Practical wisdom on communicating at the parish level.
Marketing strategies for reaching your community outside your church walls.
Demonstrations of digital tools.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Anyone who is actively involved in communications and media at the parish level: Communications Leaders, Administrators, Graphic Designers, Editors, Creative Planners, Artists, Writers, & Photographers.
Schedule
Saturday, July 18, 2026: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm PT / 10:00 am to 3:00 pm MT / 11:00 am to 4:00 pm CT / 12:00 to 5:00 pm ET
We will start at 10:00 am MT with Morning Prayer and spend the day together. There's a long lunch break so that we are all less "zoomed out" for the day.
10:00 am MT – Morning Prayer
10:15 am MT – Coffee and Introductions
10:30 am MT – Best Practices Discussion I
11:30 am MT – Lunch Break
12:30 pm MT – Best Practices Discussion II
1:30 pm MT – Break
2:00 pm MT – Best Practices Discussion III & Q&A
3:00 pm MT – Closing Thoughts
Flexibility of Your Schedule: Feel free to jump in as you are able. I know some will have other commitments throughout the day that you need to jump off and come back on as you are able. It isn't a problem at all and not a distraction, so please feel free to come and go as you need!
“This gathering gave me a sense of being moored in our larger Church community and reminded me that there are people and resources out there to support me. I felt motivated and excited at the end of the day. Thank you!”
PLEASE READ BEFORE the Gathering
"As a communications person in your church, you have an important job. Whether you are a volunteer or a full-time professional on staff, you are charged with communicating the mission of your church. Your job is to inspire and challenge people to grow deeper in their walk with Christ through the communications channels of the church." But how? Read full article here >
“I felt this gathering was packed full of information that was useful. It was not overwhelming and gave great tips for next steps, or where to start. We had opportunities to share our struggles and triumphs, so we really got to get resources from the other churches that had participants at the gathering. I felt motivated and that I had a clear direction I could work towards after I left the gathering. I also felt I had support and resources (which I started using right away!).”
RESOURCES YOU NEED FOR THE Gathering
Please visit this page for resources that we'll talk about >
Register Now!
If you have any questions, please contact Mike Orr at mike@caffeinatedchurch.org.