Fishhook

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and it’s a great opportunity to pause and intentionally encourage the pastors and ministry leaders who serve your church so faithfully.

Over the years, we’ve shared a few ideas to help churches celebrate their pastors in ways that are meaningful, creative and doable. So rather than reinventing the wheel, we gathered some of those resources here for you.

Find the article at https://www.fishhook.us/articles/simple-meaningful-ways-to-celebrate-your-pastors-in-october

One thing said he took away from our Joy study is that the goal is not to just feel joyful.

"You show joy through the work you do, the way you treat others and the way you hope and show gratitude for your circumstances."

15 years of web programming will teach you a thing or two.

In his latest post, Shawn reflects on 15 years at Fishhook, what’s changed on the web and what’s stayed the same. He shares several lessons he's learned along the way, including how good web programming isn't just about keeping up with technology. It’s about using technology well.

Check out Shawn Jones's full article, "15 Years at Fishhook and on the Web" at https://www.fishhook.us/articles/15-years-at-fishhook-and-on-the-web

We love a good brand reveal. But even more, we love the work that happens before the visuals ever take shape. 👏

We recently partnered with Shelter Cove Community Church in Modesto, California, to dig deep into who they are, who they’re called to reach and how their identity can more clearly reflect that.

Together, we developed audience profiles, messaging and a refreshed visual identity rooted in what makes Shelter Cove ... Shelter Cove. They have an authentic community of people, a steady faith in Jesus, contagious joy that is felt in the room and hearts that are always thinking about the one.

The result is a brand that feels strong and grounded while still making room for warmth, personality and fun. Real people showing up, growing together and following Jesus.

We’re so grateful to the Shelter Cove Community Church team for trusting Fishhook with this work! Their team was a joy to partner with and they carry many of the same values that our Fishhook team holds.

If your church is wondering whether your brand still reflects who you are and who God is calling you to reach, we’d love to help you explore what’s next.

Church communicators, take a breath. You don’t have to adopt every new platform, tool or feature the moment it arrives.

Before adding another feature to your to-do list, pause and ask yourself these four questions:

1️⃣ Does this serve our church and community?
2️⃣ Can we do this sustainably?
3️⃣ Is this a "must-have" or just a wish list item?
4️⃣ Do we have the capacity to do it well?

The goal has never been to use every digital platform or feature. The goal is faithful, consistent communication that points people to Jesus.

Read the full article, "The Best Social Media Strategy Isn't Doing Everything" at https://www.fishhook.us/articles/the-best-social-media-strategy-isnt-doing-everything

Joy doesn't have to wait. It's a gift from God and it’s available before we are complete.

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Philippians 1:6)

This verse doesn't say “has completed." It says, "will carry on." Instead of spending a lot of energy trying to be finished and trying to have it all figured out, what would it look like if we clung to the promises this verse has for us instead. It promises a God who’s still working ... right in the middle of the mess ... not after it’s cleaned up. God is available and accessible now. And so is joy.

Praying for your week ahead that you might experience the Lord's joy!

As part of Fishhook's summer joy study shared, "I've always thought about Joy as a reward. If you have enough hope in your life ... if you have enough margin ... if you have enough positivity ... if you have enough faith -- then you get to experience a life of Joy.

But actually joy is the foundation.
It's a gift we are given automatically.
It's a lens we get to look at our lives through.

And it's in choosing joy that we experience true peace and hope and so many other good, good things."