As Church Coommunicator Your Role As Church Coommunicator Leon Wellington DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION Miami, Florida

Definition Communication is the exchange of messages between two or more persons to achieve understanding of each other´s perception, ideas and experiences.

Motive What prompts communication is our desire for someone else to know, what we know, to value what we value, to feel what we feel and to decide what we decide. It is a transfer of information; feelings, values etc. One or all of these points may be associated with one message.

Church Communication Segment of the communication process that focuses on message transmission to and from the church community; and the community it serves.

Church Communication Religion is changing and so are the means & speed of communication.People’s attitude to religion inside and outside church is changing.Communication technology has collapsed time, space and distance. Communicating religion in 21st Century is no easy matter. We can send IM by text, email; voice connect by voip as voxer, Vonage,Whistle, Viber, Skype. On the www. Through satellite telecommunications we can have instant access to images and news releases from around the world. We can sit in our living rooms and watch a war in progress!! We can read today’s news from any city we choose in the world.

YOUR ROLE Know Your mission! Know Your ChurchKnow Your Departmental FunctionsPromote Church Programs & MinistriesParticipate in Crisis Management This will help you to focus the message regardless of the means of transmission.

KNOW YOUR MISSION Building Bridges of Hope Central theme of the Bible

WE ARE FACILITATORS As communication practitioners, you are expected to be facilitators of the process of information sharing in the church. The Communication department functions differently than any other department of the church. The objective of the Communication department is to facilitate the church in making the greatest impact in the community. To be most efficient in the use of resources. It serves all departments.

WE ARE FACILITATORS The Communication department functions differently than any other department of the church. The objective of the Communication department is to facilitate the church in making the greatest impact in the community. To be most efficient in the use of resources. It serves all departments. Communication is the total church at work in witnessing.

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Understand how your church Functions Identify, monitor, engage the channels thru which the church communicates its message. Every organization has its own dynamics that drives it. The communicator must know the areas of sensitivity, weakness, strengths and areas of vulnerability. This knowledge will facilitate greater effectivity and better crafting of the message to be shared,

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Member of all media & public relations boards/committees Face of the Church in the community Eyes & Ears of the Church Internal Public External Public

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Message to both publics may be the same, but “package” different Interpret publics’ attitude to church Interpret Church’s actions & interests to the community

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Unlike other departments Involved with serves all departments. Works closely with administration Administration : Recommends communication strategy for best results, and best returns on investment, and greatest impact

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Promotes use of all communication tools & technology in message transmission Administration : Recommends communication strategy for best results, and best returns on investment, and greatest impact

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Gather and disseminate news on a timely basis Manage & enhance public relations Editorial responsibility for church publications, bulletins, information releases, etc;

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Manage church website Net Adventist platform in Inter America. Website available to every church Use free spots available on Radio, TV, Newspapers etc. Write articles

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Giving guidance to local pastors and laypersons involved in broadcasting and in the production of broadcast materials.Engage community news organizations Net Adventist platform in Inter America. Website available to every church Use free spots available on Radio, TV, Newspapers etc. Write articles

PROMOTOR Church programs & Ministries Use of new technology in churches New IAD Communication System Church TV channels and Satellite events Vision One Million - March 31, 2012 Propoer use of Corporate Identity Logo

PROMOTOR GOOD MEDIA RELATIONS In order to increase coverage about your faith community, develop personal relationships with media staff that cover religious activities. Know their production schedules Photos Press Kit.

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS You may become the “expert” the reporter turns to for particular faith- based issues. Help leaders in your organization understand how to handle questions from the media.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT Encourage your organization to develop a crisis management plan Crisis management team Develop crisis management protocol

Training program for directors is vital GAIN – Hong Kong – May 23-27, 2012 SAC – Albuquerque,NM. Oct.17-20, 2012

TRAINING CommSummit – November 26-28, 2012 Communication Directors Media Center,Radio/TV Station Managers Private practicioners/web evangelism www.commsummit.org

TRAINING Seminars for Administrators, Union, Institutions and field directors Conference Seminars for church directors Involve local media practitioners Attend local media events

TRAINING Certification Program for Directors Improve professionalism & Skill level Better equipped for departmental functions

STRATEGY While the communication strategy remains the same, to fulfill the mission of the church will require new mind sets on the part of leadership and membership.

CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE The biblical message and values of Adventism, in order to be compelling today must be presented with contemporary relevance in order to reach a postmodern society.

flickr.com/photos/interamerica LINKS www.interamerica.org iadmedia.interamerica.org netadventist.interamerica.org twitter.com/iadmedia event@interamerica.org flickr.com/photos/interamerica

THANK YOU WellingtonLe@interamerica.org Pastor Leon Wellington twitter.com/LeonWellington

Slide 4 CHURCH COMMUNICATION: Creation Swap @Jason Rupert Slide 7 MISSION: Creation Swap @Paule Patterson Slide 14: Headphones Heidi Alldis Slides 17, 23: Abel Márquez All others: Inter-American Division Photo Album www.flickr.com/photos/interamerica Photo Credits