Communication And the Mission of The Church Communication And the Mission of The Church Adapted from slides prepared By 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.

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.

YOUR ROLE Know Your mission! Know Your Church Know Your Departmental Functions Promote Church Programs & Ministries Participate in Crisis Management

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

The SDA Church in Guyana exists to Make passionate disciples; Communicate the everlasting gospel to all ethnic groups in every administrative region using Jesus’ method and all available resources; Propagate Godly principles that will enable people to enjoy abundant life as they prepare for the Lord’s return.

Caribbean Union To prepare persons to live in the presence of God

WE ARE FACILITATORS As communication practitioners, you are expected to be facilitators of the process of information sharing in the church.

WE ARE FACILITATORS Communication is the total church at work in witnessing.

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Understand how your church Functions Identify, monitor, engage the channels through which the church communicates its message.

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 and serves all departments. Works closely with administration. KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS

Promotes use of all communication tools & technology in message transmission KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS

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

Manage church website

KNOW YOUR FUNCTIONS Give guidance to local pastors and laypersons involved in broadcasting and in the production of broadcast materials. Engage community news organizations

Church programs & Ministries. Use of new technology in churches. New IAD Communication System. Church TV channels and Satellite events. Proper 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. PROMOTOR

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.

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

Training program for directors is vital TRAINING

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

to fulfill the mission of the church will require new mind sets on the part of leadership and membership.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. STRATEGY

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.

iadmedia.interamerica.org netadventist.interamerica.org twitter.com/iadmedia flickr.com/photos/interamerica LINKS

Photo Credits Slide 4 CHURCH COMMUNICATION: Creation Rupert Slide 7 MISSION: Creation Patterson Slide 14: Headphones Heidi Alldiside 14: Headphones Heidi Alldis Slides 17, 23: Slides 17, 23: Abel Márquez All others: Inter-American Division Photo Albumivision Photo Album