What’s your name?
Vince Mancuso
Where do you serve, what is your title, and how long have you served there?
I have served as the Communications Director of Dream City Church Omaha for more than four years.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t go to church?
I am responsible for much of the internal and external communications of our church, from managing our website to designing our discipleship class content.
What were some of the things that you experienced that shaped the way you approach your work?
My first job was as a staff writer for a local newspaper. That experienced taught me that you have to explain, announce, or otherwise tell someone something seven different ways—and you should still expect plenty of people to miss it. That being said, take everything in stride, and treat everyone with the same patience you’d hope to get.
What’s the one thing you wish people knew about your job?
Prior to 2020, I would argue my job is not essential to most churches—that it could be done by a pastor or well-trained intern. Covid-19 gave the Church the opportunity to reach people in their homes, on their phones, or really wherever they are digitally. That being said, I wish people would recognize the importance of church communications.
What is the one tool for your job that you can’t live without, and why?
It sounds silly and simple, but my phone. A good phone is a jack-of-all-trades kind of tool that will allow you to do anything from snap a quick photo of an event to edit information on your website at a moment’s notice.
What is the biggest mistake that you see churches making when it comes to communications and marketing?
Right now I’d say underestimating the need for it. I don’t say this to blow smoke or to make myself seem important—we all are replaceable, and it’s Christ who does the true work—but I am seeing a desire in our country for God and His Church. Many will see 2020 was a rough year, rightfully so, but it can also be seen as a pruning year. Yes, many of us lost members, but now’s the time for new growth, and church communications and marketing can be a powerful tool in God’s hands to help cultivate such growth.
Who is someone that you look up to in the church communications world?
Raj Lulla. I believe he is a member of our group, and he co-owns an amazing design and strategy company here in Omaha. It’s been awhile since I’ve connected with him, but when I took this position, he went above and beyond to help me strategize, look for starting points, and encourage me along the way.
Your perception of how the importance of church communications should not be underestimated is what we value the most, too. It’s easy to look past this but when you really look into church work, communication is one of the major things why people become closer to God. Thank you for your very insightful answers, Vince. Keep spreading your positive outlook to the church community!
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