News from the Synod of Alaska-Northwest

Winter 2011 Vol. XXXXIV No. 2
News from the Synod of Alaska-Northwest
Celebrating over 100 years of mission and ministry in the Pacific Northwest,
the Synod of Alaska-Northwest serves Presbyterians in Alaska, Washington and Northern Idaho.
from the
PRESBYTER TO SYNOD
Rev. Joyce Martin Emery
I
remember a small, three-paneled gold painted triptych
displayed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The piece
was from the 1600’s and showed two women seated on a
bench holding an open Bible. These triptychs were used
to tell the stories of faith. Think about the stories this triptych told! Women? The Bible could be held by the hands of
common people who would read for themselves? Our own
Lynne Baab reminds us of the churches historical role in
using the current tools of communication to connect people
with our faith tradition. Once upon a time a triptych was
a modern tool. Lynne ponders with us the use of modern
tools. Is Facebook a tool for building relationships for ministry? Karen Schmidt, our PCUSA Deputy Director for
Communication reminds us of the importance of watching
for stories and giving witness to what God is doing. Landon
Whitsitt, our General Assembly Vice-Moderator challenges
us to create “focal points” where we can continually place
the norms of our faith before one another and the public. We
must move with intentionality.
The Synod has been developing a gift over the last decade. Now we have a PresbyTech Ministry that has been
launched within the bounds of our Synod and the Synod of
Living Waters. We are poised to go churchwide. The basic premise is that the smallest church can have access to
the modern tools of communication and share in an opensource learning community where each one helps the other
develop and refine resources for Christian ministry. Enjoy
the New Year and the opportunities to communicate the
good news of Jesus Christ in ever more faithful ways!
SYNOD 2012 MEETING SCHEDULE
Jan 3
Jan 19
Jan 19
Jan 20
Jan 24 Jan 27 Jan 28 Feb 7 Feb 10-12 Feb 11 Feb 16 Presbytery of OLY Council Mtg.
Presbytery of AK Council Mtg.
Presbytery of OLY Mtg.
Presbytery of NPS Exec. Bd. Mtg.
Presbytery of INW Council Mtg.
Presbytery of CW Council Mtg.
Seattle Presbytery Presbyfest
Presbytery of OLY Council Mtg.
Synod Commissioner’s Retreat
Presbytery of INW Mtg.
Presbytery of AK Council Mtg.
Feb 21 Feb 23 Feb 24-25 Feb 25 Feb 25 Mar 6 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 20 April 3 April 17 Presbytery of SEA Council Mtg.
Presbytery of YUK Council Mtg.
Presbytery of YUK Mtg.
Presbytery of NPS Mtg.
Presbytery of CW Mtg.
Presbytery of OLY Council Mtg.
Presbytery of AK Council Mtg.
Presbytery of CW Council Mtg.
Presbytery of SEA Mtg.
Presbytery of OLY Council Mtg.
Presbytery of SEA Council Mtg.
Loaves & Fishes
Executive editor: Rev. Joyce Martin Emery Managing editor: Sarah Peniston
CIRCULATION: Linda Paulson
Design: Melody Fosmore Design
Loaves and Fishes
is produced two times per year in spring and fall by the Synod of Alaska-Northwest, 1544 S. Snoqualmie
Street, Seattle, WA 98108. This newsletter informs pastors, elders and congregations about
the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Alaska, Washington and Northern Idaho. Views
expressed in editorials, letters and assigned columns in Loaves & Fishes are those of the author and
do not necessarily reflect official Presbytery, Synod or General Assembly pronouncements.
Synod of Alaska-Northwest • 1544 S. Snoqualmie St. Seattle, WA 98108
206.448.6403 • 800.932.4156
Fax: 206.441.1465 • e-mail: synod4aknw@synodnw.org • web site: www.synodnw.org
If you no longer wish to receive L&F, contact Sarah Peniston at speniston@synodnw.org
or call 1.800.932.4156.
April 19 April 26 May 1 May 15 May 17 May 17 May 18 May 23 June 5 June 19 June 23 Presbytery of AK Council Mtg.
Presbytery of NPS Exec. Bd. Mtg.
Presbytery of OLY Council Mtg.
Presbytery of SEA Mtg.
Presbytery of AK Council Mtg.
Presbytery of OLY Mtg.
Presbytery of CW Council Mtg.
Presbytery of NPS Mtg.
Presbytery of OLY Council Mtg.
Presbytery of SEA Council Mtg.
Presbytery of CW Mtg.
We are going Green!
In order to be good stewards of our environment
and financial resources, Loaves & Fishes will
cease printed publication following the Spring
2012 edition. We will continue to bring you news
from around the synod with the online edition of
Loaves & Fishes. Please help us to move in this
100% paperless direction by signing up now to
receive Loaves & Fishes electronically. Provide
us your email name by visiting the Synod website
at www.synodnw.org and clicking on the Loaves
& Fishes logo on the Home page or by emailing
synod4aknw@synodnw.org.
Presbyterians investing in the future
while supporting congregations
building churches
Now he who supplies
seed to the sower
and bread for food
will supply and
multiply your
seed for sowing
and increase the
harvest of your
righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10
Presbyterians Helping Presbyterians
mission developmenT certificates
Call today 866.211.8230 or 206.971.4603 • www.synodmdc.org • invest@synodmdc.org
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Presbytery of the Inland Northwest
Nez Perce Second Indian Presbyterian Church
Philippines Outreach Partnership with the Rotary Club of Orofino, Idaho
The Second Indian Presbyterian Church This is not the first overseas mission for
recently partnered with the Rotary Club of Second Indian Presbyterian Church. In 2003
Orofino on a mission for school supplies and the churches worked with the Nehemiah House,
basic footwear for 477 elementary school part of Youth with a Mission Ministries, and
children at Cabalawan Elementary School in blessed the orphanage with computer equipment.
Tacloban City, Philippines. Tacloban City is During 2010, with the computers from 2002
on Leyte Island in the Visasyas Region of the aging, the church again blessed the orphanage
Philippines. Randy Bowen from the Orofino with replacement computer equipment.
Rotary Club planned and carried out this world Second Church elders and the Nez Perce
community outreach project on behalf of Rotary Churches partnership to the world community
and the church which took place during October outreach and concern for those less fortunate
of this year. The purpose of the mission was to will certainly continue at home and abroad.
provide six months of school supplies for each Lidgerwood Reaches Out to the
student grades 1–6. Many families are not able Community
to provide basic footwear for their children or Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church, in northeast
the children must share footwear causing many Spokane, WA, continues to invest in and discover
to attend school without the benefit of protective ways to reach into its neighborhood that develop
footwear. The mission also focused on this need relationships and provide opportunities for
to help prevent sickness from injuries which people to be together. In the last few years
could cause financial stress upon the families. It they have begun monthly Movie Nites showing
should be noted that social media was part of the classics and newer films that display faith based
mission providing very efficient communication stories and ask hard questions. They also had
despite the great distance between our two their kitchen upgraded to certification level so
countries.
low-cost meals can be served to the public and
for “date nights” for low-income families.
For the last five years Lidgerwood has worked
with several other churches in the area to hold
worship services in a neighborhood park during
community celebration weekends, collecting
canned foods for local food banks as our offering.
In March of 2013 Lidgerwood will be hosting
a trip to Greece and Turkey in the footsteps of
St. Paul. Everyone is invited to join us on this
Bible-land pilgrimage and discovery journey.
Contact us at 509.487.9667 or at mark@
ourbunch.net.
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Olympia Presbytery
Cultural Gifts
Church of Indian Fellowship, the only Native American congregation in Olympia Presbytery,
located on the Puyallup Indian reservation in Tacoma, has been growing steadily in recent years, but
struggles financially. Most Native American congregations in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) cannot
afford full-time clergy since the demographics of their congregation show that most are at or below
the federal poverty level. Many face financial challenges in this difficult economy, so they looked
for possibilities to contribute with their time, talents as well as resources when possible. The talent
is remarkable as some know how to bead and make jewelry. Others are familiar with crafting Dream
Catchers or God’s Eyes, first introduced by the native people of Mexico. They started meeting once
a week, taught each other their crafts and have been creating items ever since.
“This new activity has been a blessing in many ways,” says Rev. Irvin Porter, Pastor of the church
for the past 10 years. “Not only are we able to raise funds and let others learn more about our church,
but members enjoy the craft sessions too. They are an opportunity for fellowship with each other in
an atmosphere of learning and sharing. This has been particularly beneficial for the folks who have
recently joined our church. They are able to get to know people on a deeper level by working on
common projects.”
The Church found several venues to sell these crafts this Christmas. Bethany Presbyterian Church
in Tacoma and Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Puyallup offered space for CIF at their
Christmas Markets. The church also sells regularly at local pow-wows.
In addition to the Christmas interest, the Church has received regular requests for one of its items,
the Talking Stick, a Native American tradition. The Talking Stick is an
ornate cedar baton-like stick meant to be used in gatherings. Only the One
who is holding the stick is allowed the privilege of the floor, a practice
which promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. Talking Sticks
were presented for use by Rev. Porter at the Presbyterian Multicultural
Network’s conference last summer, on whose Board he serves, and he
came home with requests for at least 35 sticks.
The irony of this project is that there was a time in this congregation’s
history when their cultural crafts were not welcome and the gifts that
Native American culture brought to the church were derided as “heathen,
wicked and evil.” Reformed and always reforming. Thanks be to God.
Yukon Presbytery
Make a Missional Move Month
November was “Make a Missional Move Month” at Presbytery of Yukon. At least, this seems to be the case as we looked at the activity across
the presbytery. Two moves in particular need to be mentioned.
On Oct 22, the Rev. Tosu Sinkaman arrived in Anchorage from our partner Presbytery, the Tayal in Taiwan. His arrival was an answer to
prayer. Originally scheduled to arrive in mid-August, Rev. Tosu was turned back at the border when he landed in Seattle! After a grueling 13hour flight, he had to re-board the airplane immediately and go home. Although the customs service never admitted a mistake, Rev. Tosu arrived
in October with the same credentials and the same stated mission as before. What made the difference was some guidance from the PC (U.S.A.)
office in Louisville, helping us explain our side of the story, and preparing the Seattle customs service in advance. Many thanks to Julia Thorne
from the Immigration Issues office in Louisville!
Rev. Tosu has been a missionary in Japan and a previous presbytery moderator. We are honored to have a pastor of such stature among us. He
will be traveling throughout our presbytery until Dec. 19, visiting many of our village churches and telling the story of God’s work among the
indigenous peoples of Taiwan. Hearing of the struggles and the acts of God among other Native peoples may prove particularly helpful for us as
we are thinking about vision and mission in the villages of our presbytery.
The second major movement was the Acts 16:5 training which took place Nov. 18-19 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Anchorage. Stan Ott,
founder of the Acts 16:5 Initiative, came to lead the training. Those churches that chose to participate in the Acts 16:5 Initiative sent members of
their leadership teams to Trinity to participate in the workshops.
Part of the value of the Acts 16:5 approach is the encouragement and new ideas that continue to be shared between the leadership teams of the
various congregations. Ongoing learning-through-conversation will continue through a designated Facebook Page, where participants from one
church can ask for prayers, share ideas that work, or otherwise offer encouragement to one another throughout the presbytery. Who knows? As
time goes on, maybe other methods will emerge to empower even more learning-through-conversation.
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Central Washington Presbytery
Prayer Shawl Ministry @ Meadow Springs
The congregation at Meadow Springs Presbyterian Church has really stepped out this year in Mission Giving. We have been on The Journey
of Discovery the last five years and we are travelling the road to where God is calling us. Through our Prayer Shawl Ministry the women of our
church have made and given out over approximately 200 shawls and 50 tie blankets this year. Our outreach is to those in nursing homes and care
facilities as well as individuals we know that are ill, grieving or in distress. In honor of Veteran’s day we gave patriotic tie blankets to the local
VFW.
North Puget Sound Presbytery
Continuing the spiritual growth that led to her call as a Commissioned Ruling Elder for the First Presbyterian Church of Port Angeles, Shirley
Cruthers left in late August for a four-month stint as the pastor of an English-speaking church on the island of Bali, Indonesia. She was encouraged
in that effort by the Rev. Ross Robson of NPS Presbytery, who had served in Bali several times. Shirley is blogging about her experiences in Bali.
You can read several of her blogs on the North Puget Sound Presbytery’s website at www.npspresbyterians.net/?tabid=3201&newsid6904=3613
Presbyterian Women
The 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women from around the world will meet at the Gaylord Palms Resort
and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, July 18–22, 2012. The theme of the gathering is “River of Hope,” based on
Psalm 46:4–5. Registration opens by mail January 15, 2012. For information on scholarship funds, contact your Presbytery’s
PW Moderator.
The gathering registration booklet has all the details you need to plan for and reserve your spot. Download the booklet
at www.presbyterianwomen.org/gathering
Presbyterian Women in our Synod will hold their annual luncheon meeting during the gathering. Reservations are
required separately by sending a check for $30.50 made out to your PWPresbytery, to the Presbytery Treasurer.
2011 Global Exchange
Kathy Matlin, of Ellensburg, is the Justice and Peacemaking representative of Presbyterian Women in Synod. She joined twenty-six other
Presbyterian women who traveled to India during October 2011 building relationships and learning more about the most pressing issues for our
Indian sisters and brothers. The Global Exchange participants learned about the impact of environmental issues and human trafficking on women
and children throughout Asia. Visits with church partners showed how their community projects are providing education and health care to men,
women and children. Kathy will be available for intineration Spring 2012. To schedule, email kmatlin@fairpoint.net.
Certificate in Teaching the Bible
Feb.-June 2012
Whitworth University
Festival of Preaching
April 23-25, 2012
Seattle, WA
Travel to Vietnam with
SE Asia Ministry
Feb 25-March 4, 2012
Church leaders are expected to teach the Bible
in various settings with a variety of different
constituents. The Certificate in Teaching the
Bible Program is designed to give Sunday
school teachers, lay ministry leaders and pastors
insight into using the Bible more effectively
with children, youth and adults.
For more information, visit www.whitworth.
edu/FaithCenter/ClergyLay/Certificates/
CertificateTeaching.htm
Be part of the most exciting and rewarding
preaching festival in 2012. Three days of rich,
powerful, refreshing, fun preaching. Includes
lively dialogue sessions and good worship.
Now with new pre-assembly workshop options!
Open to seasoned preachers, seminary students,
and lay people, the festival is not your typical
run-of-the-mill preaching festival.
Plymouth Congregational Church (UCC),
1217 6th Avenue and University, Seattle,
Washington 98101.
For more information,
visit www.festivalofpreachingnw.org
You are invited to join Seattle Presbytery’s SE
Asia Ministry as they travel to Vietnam Feb.
25-March 4, 2012. Estimated cost is $2140.
Learn more about Vietnam’s history and culture,
meet with students and pastors, and be joyfully
surprised by God’s ministry in Vietnam. Email Dr. Binh Nguyen (binh@
seattlepresbytery.org) for more information.
Diploma in Lay Pastoral Ministry
June 4-8 and June 11-15, 2012
Whitworth University
Whitworth’s non-degree Diploma in Lay
Pastoral Ministry Program is designed to help
train, equip, and support laypeople to serve more
effectively as commissioned lay pastors and
lay ministers and in other paid and unpaid layleadership positions in the Presbyterian Church
(USA), as well as in other denominations.
PRESBYTERIAN
ECHNOLOGY
MINISTRY
PresbyTech: A Gift
I
f you are a “techie” kind of person, there are tons of resources out there to help your church.
You can surf the web, pick and choose and create all kinds of neat websites, blogs, videos, photo
galleries, databases, presentations, and much more. In many places we have volunteers offering
these gifts to their congregations. In larger congregations there are people on staff who are paid
to refine these resources daily. Here in the Synod of Alaska-Northwest we are very fortunate to have several presbyteries and
larger congregations who had a vision: let’s create tools for ourselves and tech solutions, but let’s
make them available for others. What if these same tools could be used by a small church? This
is what has happened and now we have a wonderful set of resources that are available to all of
our congregations. In addition to website tools, this ministry, called the Presbyterian Technology
Ministry or PresbyTech for short, provides email, church database software, and software purchasing
discounts.
Our support website provides a place where users can access documentation, get their questions
answered, and watch training videos. Our community of users can add their own videos, and answer
each other’s question. We are currently laying the foundation for an “open source” environment,
developing ways in which programmer-types can share source code, develop applications of their
own, or contribute new solutions to the community of PresbyTech users.
We have excellent partners, like Whitworth University, that have helped make this dream a reality
by allowing us to place our Synod servers in their secure environment. The Synod’s Director of
Technical Ministry, Brandon Jelinek, works daily to keep the system running smoothly, researches
new technology and develops new resources with our partners. Sarah Peniston, our Director of
Communications, works with local church members to help them create websites, and develops
training and support materials. Janet Tuck, Synod of Living Waters’ Director of Communications,
coordinates this ministry in their Synod which reaches congregations in Kentucky, Tennessee,
Mississippi, and Alabama. Together, they provide training events throughout both our Synods.
The time has come to launch this ministry beyond the Synod and invite all users to join in
making this ministry ever more sustainable. We are so grateful to this Synod for supporting this
ministry and making it a reality over the last five years. We are grateful to the Deputy Director
of the General Assembly, Roger Dermody, for sending more work our way. We have been invited
to create a nimble website that will host the “1,001 New Worshiping Communities” that may be
birthed within our denomination in the next ten years.
Where is the front door to many of our congregations these days? A church’s website provides
the focal point for entry for many new people. We pray that every door will be open!
Find out more about this ministry! Visit www.presbytech.org.
Focal Points
by Landon Whitsitt
I
have found that church organizations typically function in one of two ways. Either they tend
to throw the doors open and encourage a lot of creativity and experimentation, or they restrict
activity and encourage dependence on a few people to develop the details of what a community
does. In the work that I have done in my book Open Source Church: Making Room for the Wisdom
of All (Alban, 2011), I refer to these two kinds of churches as “Open” and “Closed.”
Communicating within a “closed” organization is relatively easy. There is a Boss and you are
not it. Your job is to do what the Boss says, to accomplish what the Boss wants accomplished.
Usually, the Boss employs the services of others to disseminate the desired action, but the buck
stops at the Boss.
But “open” organizations are different. They do not have the luxury of using “top down command
and control” because the rules that govern an open organization are different. Everyone’s opinion
is valued. Everyone’s contribution is welcomed.
So how do we keep things together? How do we make sure that our open organization doesn’t
end up as just a mish-mash of whatever you and I want to do? The key was discovered by a social
scientist named Thomas Schelling.
In the 60s, as a professor at University of Maryland, College Park, Schelling would ask groups of
students where they would meet a friend if they were going to New York City, but had forgotten
when and where they were meeting and had no way of getting a hold of them. The most common
answer was “Noon at the information booth of Grand Central Station.” Schelling discerned that
we all hold certain “focal points” in our brains that we use to guide us in the absence of direct
communication. The reason so many students named Noon at Grand Central Station is most
likely due to the fact that, living in Maryland, New York City was on their radar in ways it is not
to those of us in other parts of the country. Also, there was a cultural significance to meeting
someone there – they had probably seen dozens of movies in which that occurred.
But Schelling also found that you could create these “focal points.” He once asked one class of
students to begin going up one set of stairs and down another in the building in which he taught.
In three days the traffic patterns changed.
What does this mean for the church? I think it reveals that those of us who have the privilege
to preach, teach, or (in any way) communicate to our communities have a huge and special
opportunity. Taking a cue from Thomas Schelling, we must see our jobs as constantly and
consistently placing the norms of our church before those we serve. You might find it’s actually
quite simple.
For instance, in the congregation I previously served, we sang a song titled “All are Welcome”
every week after the Passing of the Peace. Tell me,
how would one behave in an exclusionary manner
when they sing that song every week? No one told
them they had to love their neighbors (or enemies!),
but the basic “focal point” guides their actions.
Being an open organization is easy. All it
takes is a little trust and a lot of clarity.
Landon Whitsitt is Executive and Stated Clerk of
the Synod of Mid-America and is currently serving
as Vice Moderator of the 219th General Assembly.
You can find him on twitter (@landonw), Facebook
(/landonville) and on The Metanoia Project
(landonwhitsitt.com).
A New Place
Excerpts from an article by Lynne M. Baab
C
ommunication has always mattered to Christians. Obeying the central
commands of the New Testament – make disciples, preach the gospel,
love one another – depends on effective communication.
Christians have always been on the forefront of adopting new forms
of communication. In the ancient Greek and Roman world, classical
rhetoric was the cutting edge communication strategy, used by politicians
and public leaders. Augustine was one of the first Christians to apply
principles of rhetoric to preaching, and during the medieval period many
Christians studied rhetoric and wrote about its relevance for preaching. When the printing press
was invented, Christians were among the earliest users, first for Bibles and then for pamphlets,
printed tracts, magazines and books.
In the last years of the twentieth century and the early years of the twenty-first century, new
communication technologies have been appearing with dizzying rapidity. These new technologies
are creating opportunities and challenges for Christians and for congregations that no one could
have foreseen a decade or two ago.
Some of the new communication technologies have similarities to older forms in that they
present information and tell stories. Many congregations use the Nooma and Alpha videos and
DVDs, which are very similar to TV and film but in a more convenient and portable format.
Many congregations have websites, which enable people to view information about a congregation
whenever they want to. Some ministers have blogs, which allow them to communicate what
they’re thinking about, reading and learning.
The internet has developed as a repository of information in amazing ways, and now we can
access facts online that we never dreamed of even ten years ago. Conveying information and stories
has always been significant for effective communication, and they continue to be important. But
new considerations have arisen as well.
A Place
The word “place” conveys a key concept when considering the implications of new forms of
communication for Christians and for congregations, particularly online communication. The
internet has moved beyond being just an information tool. It is now a place where many people
spent hours of each day, a place of information and stories like the older forms of communication,
but also a place of connection, networking, and exchange of visual information as well.
Many, many people spend hours of their day online exchanging information and connecting
with people. In the same way that a stroll down the hall at work to hand over a piece of paper to
a co-worker often results in a chat about the upcoming rugby match, online interactions often
include a personal connection as well as an exchange of information. If we believe that Christians
bring God’s love into every place they go, and if we believe that Christians are called to go to the
places where people hang out and live, then we have to take seriously this “place” where people
spend so much time.
“Real” Relationships
Yes, but are online relationships “real”? Aren’t we encouraging a kind of plastic, faceless,
technocratic form of communication? Aren’t face-to-face relationships better?
The more I talk with people who spend a lot of time online, and the more time I spend online
myself, the more I understand that face-to-face relationships and online relationships are seamlessly
connected for most internet users. Let’s consider a twenty-eight-year-old I will call Simon. Simon
has a Facebook profile as well as a blog where he writes about politics and movies.
Simon is in several groups on Facebook, including a group from his church. Sometimes he
finds out about something interesting going on at church because of the Facebook group.
Simon loves blogging, and he reads dozens of blogs each week. He experiences a sense of
significant connection with some of those bloggers—including a few who have become Facebook
friends—because he dialogues with them fairly intensely about politics and movies.
Simon’s relationships flow seamlessly between the online and face-to-face environments.
Sometimes the discussion of a film begins on Facebook or on a blog post and results in an outing
to see that film. He lives several hundred kilometers from the town where he grew up, and when
he plans a trip home, he uses his Facebook page and his blog to let his friends know he is coming
so that he can see them in person.
Simon’s pattern of relationships, flowing back and forth between online and face-to-face
connections, is typical among the young people I have talked with, both men and women. “Simon”
is a composite of several people I interviewed. However, Simon’s amazing number of social
connections is not at all unusual among the people in their teens, twenties and thirties I talked
with. His social contacts might be facilitated online, through texting or in person, but no one can
doubt that he is well-connected and involved both intellectually and socially with his friends. This
pattern of relationships is increasingly typical of my own life and many others who are a long way
from being “young people.”
“Real” Connections
I’ve spent a lot of time describing Simon’s pattern of relationships because of the many fears
I hear in congregational settings about online communication being less valuable or less “real”
than face-to-face communication. When the telephone was invented, similar fears were expressed.
“Real” communication, it was felt, would be lost because facial expressions and body language are
not visible over the telephone. Phones now seem innocuous. We see them as essential tools that
help us stay connected with people we care about.
If the internet is increasingly experienced as a place, how can congregations and Christian
individuals serve God in that place? That big, overarching question will include a lot of smaller,
practical questions:
How much money and time can we afford to spend on a website?
Is a blog a good way to communicate with some members of the congregation?
Should we have a Facebook group or page?
What about the other social networking websites like Twitter, Bebo, and LinkedIn?
And how can we navigate the growing reality that communication is becoming individualized?
An Anglican minister told me that she communicates with her lay leaders largely through
email, but a few leaders aren’t online, so she still needs to ring them on the telephone. But two
of her youngest lay leaders no longer check their email very often, because most of their online
connection happens through Facebook. Will she have to join Facebook in order to communicate
with them? And will she need to send cell phone text messages to yet others?
The answer to her questions may be “yes,” indicating one of the challenges of these shifts in
communication patterns.
Impersonal? Faceless?
As I talk to people in congregations about communication, I hear lots of concerns about online
communication being impersonal and detached. Yet as I exchange emails with friends, as I read
blogs and look at Facebook, I engage with personal stories and I see stories through photos. I
interact with ideas that people are writing about or thinking about. I would never advocate wholesale
replacement of face-to-face communication with online connections, and it’s clear that a person
can spend too much time online. However, in this busy and fragmented society, with friends strewn around the world, I love being
able to get a glimpse of my friends’ lives online. Those friends might be here in Dunedin or they
might be thousands of miles away, but they are a rich part of my life.
Darrell Guder is Princeton Seminary Dean and advocate for a missional view of church ministry.
In discussing the significance of the local congregation as the center of mission, he writes:
The “one another” passages, almost one hundred New Testament imperatives emphasizing
the mutuality of Christian community, only make sense within a community whose members
are committed to Christ and to one another. Such relationships require frequency of contact and
communication, common worship and Christian activity, and mutual responsibility and support.
In our time, some of that frequent contact, communication, mutual responsibility and support
happens in online settings. The challenges for Christian leaders today include learning to use the
online environment wisely to communicate information, as well as helping congregation members
grow in wisdom and integrity in using the internet to facilitate relationships and nurture community.
Lynne M. Baab is a minister member of Seattle Presbytery and the author of numerous books,
including Friending, Sabbath Keeping and Reaching Out in a Networked World. She teaches pastoral
theology in New Zealand. To read the full version of this and many other articles, visit her website
at www.lynnebaab.com.
Communications as a Ministry
by Karen L. Schmidt
W
hen was the last time you heard or read a story that
inspired you to act? Did you volunteer or donate?
Were you moved to share the story with others?
Great storytelling is powerful.
It can help people retain key points or messages. It can
create understanding of abstract ideas or concepts. It can
affect and positively influence lives. For Presbyterians, great
storytelling calls others to join together in ministry bringing
us closer to God and inspiring our shared giving to mission.
These are a few of the reasons that those of us within the
General Assembly Mission Council, the mission agency of
PC (U.S.A.), view communications as one of the church’s
vital ministries. As communicators, our role is to tell the
stories of what God is doing throughout the church in ways
that inspire participation through gifts of treasure, talent
and time.
We must witness where God is working in our lives; tell about God’s presence in our lives;
spread the good news in ways that lead to participation and engagement; and use storytelling to
lead to transformation.
When we effectively communicate our mission to others, we encourage others to join in the
work of the church through their time, talent and treasure. We are offering them an opportunity
to take part in God’s vision for all people.
Communicators are not alone in this ministry. Each of us is like a choir director. We must find
the sopranos and the tenors. We must invite others to take part so the sound is more rich, full
and moving.
Find people to help – identify good writers, proofreaders, photographers and those who are web
savvy or know how to use Twitter or FaceBook. They may be members of your staff, congregation
members, volunteers or those who have benefitted from your mission work.
Invite others to tell the story of your congregation and call to mission. Share those stories with
those outside the church, within your synod and with others throughout PC (U.S.A.) by utilizing
Presbyterians Today magazine, the Presbyterian Mission Yearbook and the News and Announcements
page on www.pcusa.org.
Christian discipleship begins with learning about and understanding faith. It grows as we in turn
share our faith with others. Seek out and tell great, inspiring stories in writing, with video and
through new media.
It is through your witness that Christ’s church will continue to grow deep and wide.
Karen is the Deputy Executive Director for Communications & Funds Development of the General
Assembly Mission Council, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)