Phil Bowdle offers a checklist:
One of the most challenging things in service planning for pastors and communication leaders can be managing stage announcements. Without a system and strategy in place, you can quickly find yourself stuck in a rhythm of spending 10 minutes on announcements at the end of the service, while not being effective with any of them.
Time is limited and stage announcements are not the answer to everything. Here’s 7 reasons why you’re not getting a stage announcement:
1. It doesn’t apply to at least 80% of the audience
This is the most important question you can ask when deciding if something should be announced from stage. I do occasionally break this 80% rule for key ministry on-ramp events/programs, or when it’s a direct next step for what’s being preached about in the sermon.
2. It should be announced at your ministry event, not the whole church
For example, if you need to communicate an event happening with student ministry, the most effective place to get the word out is at your student ministry gatherings. Same applies to other areas.
3. There’s no clear “why”
If you can’t share the “why” associated with the announcement in less than 30 seconds, it’s going to be hard to communicate effectively from stage. It’s going to be even harder to get your audience to care.