...by
David Mays
|
Education,
Awareness, and Promotion are three aspects of communicating missions. Each level builds upon the one below. Education is the foundation. It develops an understanding of what missions is and why it is important. Understanding the importance and knowing
what’s happening prepare people to respond to promotion, to take action, and
to persevere. Here are some
comparisons and contrasts. |
|
Promotion |
|
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Goal: |
Action
– What to do |
|
Time Frame: |
Immediate
future |
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Process: |
Periodic |
|
Platform: |
Pulpit,
Advertisements, web, brochures, posters, networking |
|
Topics: |
Giving,
prayer, coming events, missions conferences, giving, elective classes, meet
or host missionaries, mission trips, volunteer projects, service to church or
missions team, meetings |
|
Resources: |
Samples
from other churches, creative people, fliers, handouts, video, special
appeals, |
|
|
|
|
Awareness |
|
|
Goal: |
Knowledge
– What is happening |
|
Time Frame: |
Current |
|
Process: |
Ongoing,
Periodic |
|
Platform: |
Pulpit,
small groups, bulletin, web, email |
|
Topics: |
Current
missionary stories; arrival, schedules and departures of missionaries;
missionary goals, progress, needs, obstacles, dangers; current world events,
local events that affect missions; natural disaster; wars and unsettled
regions; persecution and threats to believers; immediate missionary
challenges and opportunities; the status of peoples and nations with respect
to spiritual, physical and social needs; church missions partners and
involvements |
|
Resources: |
International
news, missionaries, Operation World, Exploring World Mission, web sites,
mission expert consultations, Missions Catalyst, Your Missions Pastor or
Missions Team |
|
|
|
|
Education |
|
|
Goal: |
Understanding
– What it means |
|
Time Frame: |
Past,
Timeless |
|
Process: |
Ongoing,
Integrated |
|
Platform: |
Classes,
Courses |
|
Topics: |
Bible,
missions theology, missions history, missionary biographies, Christian
movements, true stories from the past, cultures, strategies, peoples,
languages, geography, mission organizations, types of missions ministry,
historically important missions events, turning points, migrations of
peoples, missions movements |
|
Resources: |
Books,
videos, curricula, archives, Perspectives Course, missionaries, missions
courses |