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