communications
Post on 31-Dec-2015
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Communications
Issues Affecting
Mission and Ministry
Communications Today
“It’s all about the relationship”
Communication Challenges
Developing and maintaining relationships of trust
Funds Management & Accountability Dependable, consistent communications
Issues for Concern
Want to know about each other’s ministries Regular updates on projects we support
financially or have worked on together Clear financial accounting for funds sent,
received & how used Understand how & why things happen as they
do
Good Communications In General
Requires:– Listening– Ability to talk with each other– Making/Responding to requests– Openness to clear, direct conversations– High levels of trust– Knowing exactly what you want to say or ask
Benefits - Good Communications
Helps build relationships Share details about partnerships Receive regular updates on projects Accountability between partners exists Enables good visits between partners Learn more about each other’s cultures
Factors Affecting Communication
Africa – physical distance between us A different culture and approach to
relationship building Language barrier Life approaches differ
-life focus different
-western interpretation of call to discipleship
Factors Affecting Communication
Western culture view– We feel commanded to GIVE from our abundance
– Feel need to take ACTION – stuck on the “Go Ye..” part of the Great Commission
– Challenged to be “Flexible”
Tools for Communication
Written Telephone Facsimile (fax) Face-to-face Email Send “Pass through” message Website information
Communication Tools
Written– Letters of invitation– Request specific information– Inform about funds transfers– Travel plans/itineraries– Covenants & agreements– Letters for encouragement & support
Communication Tools
Telephone– Confirm travel plans– Ask important questions– Gather timely information (need an immediate answer)
– Change or cancel plans
Communication Tools
Facsimile – fax machine– Letters– Agreements– Travel Plans– Letters of Invitation– Applications
Communication Tools
Face-to-Face– Discuss agreement issues– Project plans– Plan work together– Build and develop relationship
Communication Tools
Email– Travel plans– Letters– Announce funds transfers– Acknowledge receipts of funds & other
documents– Maintain project updates
Communication Tools
Pass through communications– Send a message through someone else– Pass on letters between parties– Translated messages– Exchange pictures and project updates
Communication Tools
Website– Share details of programs and projects– Announce conferences & meetings– Background details about churches, presbyteries
and synod– Contact information
Communication Tools
Suggestions– Use variety of tools– Find combination that works– Be consistent– Make it easy for partners to contact you
Financial Challenges
When we send funds to Ethiopia:
-We must provide detailed information
-Detailed descriptions about where funds go
Why?
-Detailed information speeds funds to project
Financial Challenges
Alert BSCO at beginning that funds coming
Identify yourself & your Ethiopian partner
Send letter and email to both BSCO and to
your partner who receives funds
– Builds trust, increases awareness & accountability
to each other
More Suggestions
When sending a document to synod:
-Also send a copy to specific department receiving funds
-Include department contacts in all related communications, if possible
More Suggestions…
Take great care not to by-pass synod when dealing with congregation-to-congregation partners
Honor synod and
EECMY hierarchy
Programs and Projects
What are the operating
guidelines for working with
programs and projects?
Guidelines - Programs and Projects
In many EECMY synods,– Project/program proposals originate locally– Then passed up to concerned synod department
for screening– After adjustments made, sent on to Synod
Management Team with a proposal for funding & implementation
– Synod endorses & sends to potential donors
Guidelines - Programs and Projects
In USA, congregation & presbytery
have more autonomy In Ethiopia, constitution dictates hierarchy-
– Follows congregation-presbytery-synod approval path
Only project requests with endorsement by synod official is legally acceptable
Guidelines - Programs and Projects
Project fund transfers:– Funds must pass through synod
accounting system– Advice letter must be sent stating how the fund is
designated– Procedure especially needed for wire transfers– Best to send email AND letter related to wired
funds
Communicating with Synods
When emailing a synod office, copy BSCO (if not of personal nature) Technology not as reliable outside of Addis
Ababa ??!! If there is no response to initial contact,
contact them again Remember, BSCO internet and fax use same
phone line
So what about OUR communications
What can we do to become better
Mission Partners?
Communications at Home
Challenges within church, presbytery or synod– how to keep in touch with churches in presbytery– how to make urgent needs known– should there be controls on who talks to partners?– who receives reports about projects– who responds– how do we keep PCUSA informed
Communications within Presbytery
Take advantage of variety of tools available– use email, printed brochures and face-to-face– share enthusiasm for mission & tell your
congregation’s stories– post information on church and presbytery
websites about your mission programs
Communications within Presbytery
Ideas– Host an event to tell the stories
send invitations have a handout provide a well planned presentation show your enthusiasm for the program make it easy for others to join in assign a veteran to mentor new congregations hold event in their community/take it to them!
Communications within Presbytery
More Ideas– Make a presentation at your presbytery– Plan & host mission fair at the meeting– Offer to send a speaker to churches– Connect with Pby Women, Men, Sunday School,
Youth, Small Groups, Mission Committees
Communications within Presbytery
Even more ideas…– Invite someone new on a mission trip– Assist them to make presentation to their group
after trip (pictures, stories, newsletter articles)– Host Ethiopian Visitors
invite churches in a community to meet visitor connect with PW, Men, Youth, Mission Committee, etc take visitor around presbytery to meet groups host small conversation groups with visitor
“Who speaks for us?”
Whether presbytery committee, church committee or any group,– best to have a spokesperson for the group– present a consistent image to partners– group receives and responds to project reports– lines can be open but understood who speaks for
group, church, presbytery
“Who speaks for us?”
Challenge in PCUSA churches– churches are more autonomous– easy access to partners allows many people to
have connection with them– churches more involved in where their own mission
focus will be– less involvement in PCUSA-sponsored mission…
up until lately with Mission Challenge 2007!
Sharing Together in God’s Mission
Pray Trust
Face-to-Face
Learn about culture
Sharing Together in God’s Mission
If you are planning for a year, sow rice.If you are planning for a decade, plant trees. If you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.
- Chinese proverb
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