What’s your name?
Sharon Pippin
Where do you serve, what is your title, and how long have you served there?
First Fairhope (First Baptist Fairhope). Director of Communications. October will be 38 years. My job has grown and evolved into what it is today.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t go to church?
If you see it on a screen anywhere on campus or in your pocket, I probably put it there. Ha! I usually just paint it with broad strokes and say I cover all our Media (teams, gear, systems), Communications (social, web, print), and IT for the church. Having moved from the Pastors Assistant into the Comms Director, I still have people who think that’s still part of my job.
What were some of the things that you experienced that shaped the way you approach your work?
It started out as a necessity, but then I realized I had a passion for media, design and marketing. Couple that with a mechanical inclination and a desire I had for our church to enter the digital world. So that and the IT journey, also part of my job, began. I do love solving problems and equipping our staff to do their ministry. I’ve always had the support of all our pastors. That is paramount to the success of my job.
What’s the one thing you wish people knew about your job?
That it involves a whole lot of moving parts and a wide array of knowledge and creativity. And the needle is always moving, learning never stops!
What is the one tool for your job that you can’t live without, and why?
It’s a fruit 🙂 Seriously my macbook pro and iphone. I can push out what I need from either one of these from anywhere on the planet!
What is the biggest mistake that you see churches making when it comes to communications and marketing?
Not giving credence to digital marketing. Market to your people where they do life. And that may change – it has for our people at First Fairhope. We are a legacy church in the downtown of Fairhope Alabama. If we can embrace a digital presence, your church can too! You may hear from the .04% of your church that do NOT have email or social media accounts….but that just means they are loud, not the majority.
Who is someone that you look up to in the church communications world?
Jeff Henderson
You are one inspiring lady, Sharon. We love that you are so motivated to help your church get into the digital world as you understood how powerful and necessary it is to grow your church’s communication. Keep up the amazing work!
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