8 Tips for Designing Your Ministry’s Logo

Recently I had a leader email me with some questions about selecting a new logo for their women’s ministry.

Perhaps you’re struggling with the same task.

Before we jump into the specifics – let’s talk for a moment about why you need a logo.

4 Reasons Your Ministry Needs a Logo

1. Publicity materials

Your logo lets church members know who the event is for as well as who is hosting the event. (It can be rather awkward when men show up at a women’s ministry event – trust me! I know!)

2. Visibility and Consistency

Your logo connects all the materials (publicity, program, notecards, t-shirts, mugs, etc.) that your ministry distributes.

3. Professionalism

Successful corporations do a lot of things well – branding is one of them. Who doesn’t recognize the Nike swoosh?! Logos communicate you’ve got your act together and you have a plan (even when you don’t!).

4. Community

Your logo gives women the sense that they belong to something. Who doesn’t want to fill included? Think of all the other places women join the Y, Bootcamps, and community groups – many of them have logos.

Now that we established the need, let’s talk specifics.

How do you make one?

What should it look like?

Can I just copy something I find when I “Google”?

I’ll answer all those questions and a lot more below. Stay with me!

You’ll also notice I’ve found a bunch of great women’s ministry logos to inspire you – 35 in all! Just don’t miss the notes on copyright laws in #2!

8 Tips for Designing Your Ministry’s Logo

1. Pray

Ask God for guidance. Ask Him to lead your brainstorming session. Talk with your team about what it is you want to communicate in your logo. Is your focus studying God’s Word? Maybe it’s discipleship? Your ministry’s logo should communicate your ministry’s identity.

2. Copyright laws

While I am not a lawyer, I’ve spend a lot of time researching the proper use of logos and images for this site so I don’t get surprised with a letter from lawyer demanding I pay a fine or be forced to go to court. (Yes – this really does happen!)

If a church has paid a designer to create a logo for them, that logo is the property of the designer and the church has purchased the rights to use it. If the church has purchased the image you would also need to purchase the image for your church to use it. If the image was downloaded for free from a reputable site that offers free images, you should be okay, but still read the fine print of the usage license. If you see something another church is using that you really like contact them and find out where/how their logo was created.

Google-ing “free images” does NOT guarantee that those images are free of copyright protection. I know someone who got one of those threatening letters after innocently using a “free” image they had found on Google. Please, please do not that!

3. Usage

What will you use the logo for? There’s printed advertising, social media, and merchandise (tote bags, pens, cups, etc.) to consider. I suggest formatting the logo in as many different ways as possible. You might want to use it as a watermark on a photo you share on social media. A black version or a white version can be helpful depending on the background you’re putting the logo on. Are you going to make embroidered t-shirts or bags with the logo? Maybe you’ll want to order some customized travel mugs from Positive Promotions (affiliate link). You want to get at least a JPG, PNG, and SVG file.

4. Style

Think about the logos everyone knows – Nike and McDonalds for example. Just like they do, keep it simple. You’re going to want your logo to look fresh and up-to-date for the next several years. Clean, classic lines. Think graphic, not artistic. It will be much easier to print a simple, clean design than one that is extremely detailed – especially on any promotional materials you may choose to purchase.

Try to choose something that will appeal to a wide range of women. When we created our new logo in Kentucky we specifically stayed away from graphics that were super-girly. We didn’t want lipstick or high heels. We wanted something a touch feminine, but not over the top. Decide if you want letters, an image, or both.

5. Branding

Your church may already have a set font and color scheme that you will be required to use. Ask before doing a lot of work that won’t be approved. Let your Pastor know your team is looking to create a new logo – they may have resources or guidelines that they will share with you. Even if your church hasn’t embraced the idea of branding across all ministries, it’s still a very good idea to have your logo compliment the church logo (unless it’s outdated or will be changed anytime soon).

6. Hire a Designer

If you’re blessed to have a great graphic designer on staff then by all means use them! If not consider fiverr.com (affiliate link). You can work with a designer to create a logo starting at just $5. Expect to pay extra to have the logo in multiple formats and do purchase those! See #3 for file types you’ll want to purchase. You’ll also want to know the exact color (often a code) and fonts they used so you can replicate them in other parts of your publicity. Hiring a designer helps to ensure your logo is unique and doesn’t look just like the logo at the church down the road.

7. Tag lines

You may wish to have a tag line. However, your ministry should be recognizable without it. Tag lines need to be strong, clear, and short. Taglines should reflect your ministry’s mission statement. Tag lines shouldn’t be a sentence. They can even be two or three separate words – IE Love – Serve – Learn.

8. Get approval

Get approval from your entire team before presenting it to your church staff. You may want to even show it to a few non-church friends to see what they think. What may seem obvious to you may not be so for others. Where you may see a flower, they might see something else.

What other questions do you have about designing a logo for your ministry?

Resources to Investigate:
Fiverr (Affiliate Link)
Stock Unlimited (Referral Link)
Free Religious Logos –  Also offers custom designs for a small fee.
8 Key Tips Pros Use when Designing a Church Logo

You may also want to read:
Your Mission Statement
Publicity Form (Free Printable)
Updating Your Publicity
Publicity Checklist

One year ago: Book Review: None Like Him
Two years ago: 30 Summer Fellowship Ideas
Three years ago: 6 Ways to Pray for Your Team
Four years ago: 3 Easy and Creative Ways to Serve Fruit at Your Next Event