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 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 – 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 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 AND letter related to wired funds

Communicating with Synods When ing 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 , 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