Job Description of a Public Relations Officer Within a Church Organization

A public relations officer helps advance the mission of the church.

A public relations officer serves as the main “voice” of a church, sharing information with the community about the organization’s mission, needs and activities. The public relations officer works with many audiences, from church employees and parishioners to community leaders and the media.

Titles Vary

In many organizations, including churches, public relations officers go by many titles. Depending on the size and focus of the church, you may be called anything from an “executive director for communications” to a “public relations specialist” to a “publications editor.” All share similar responsibilities.

Duties

According to the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Public Relations Professional Career Guide, you’ll wear many hats. You may be called upon to write newsletters and news releases, handle media outreach, write and lay out brochures and fliers, and issue church bulletins and annual reports. You may also prepare scripts for speeches, produce videos, and compose letters and memos for senior staff. Especially for non-profit organizations that can’t afford a big staff, public relations professionals may also maintain websites, coordinate special events, manage fundraising, represent the church at community gatherings, or respond to public concerns or questions.

Church-Specific Goals

As a church public relations officer you’ll focus on promoting and boosting attendance at church services and events, building a team of volunteers and advancing the church’s mission and charitable projects throughout the community. You may also help secure funding and community resources to support church programs and activities.

Education and Experience

The website College Grad predicts that demand for public relations professionals will grow faster than average, and that there will be fierce competition for entry-level positions. Prime candidates should have a degree in journalism, public relations, advertising or other communications-related major with some experience in the field of public relations.

After you’ve proven yourself with at least five years of experience, you can pursue accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) or the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). College Grad reports that employers view this accreditation as a sign of competence, giving you a leg up in your job search.

Special Skills

In addition to education and experience, a public relations professional needs a strong command of the English language, both written and spoken. College Grad also suggests creativity, initiative, good judgment, decision making, research and problem solving skills. Proficiency with the latest word processing, desktop publishing, graphics and website maintenance applications is a plus.

Pay Scale

Most public relations professionals work a standard 40-hour week. Salary will vary based on your education, experience and responsibilities as well as the size of the church. The web site Pay Scale estimates an annual salary range of $44,150 to $74,015 for most public relations managers across the country.

References

• PRSA: Public Relations Professional Career Guide
• College Grad: Public Relations Specialist
• Pay Scale: Salary Snapshot for Public Relations (PR) Manager Jobs