Church of Scotland

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Church of Scotland Communication Strate
gy A presentation for use in developing a commu
nication strategy for a congregation/presbytery

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Content

• Introduction
• Church of Scotland communication strategy
• Connect 2009/10
• Exercise

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• Hebrews 13 16
• But to do good and to communicate forget not
• King James Version
• And do not forget to do good and to share with
  others
  
• New International Version

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What is communication?

• The exchange of thoughts, messages, or
  information, as by speech, signals, writing, or
  behavior.
  

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C of S Communication Strategy Communication
beyond the Church of Scotland

• We will see beyond ourselves, be more accessible
  to those who are not engaged with the Church,
  encourage the enquirer and communicate in ways
  which are direct and inclusive
• By understanding the perspectives of people who
  are currently not engaged with the Church
  
• By developing effective relationships with the
  media and giving them newsworthy stories
  
• By nurturing able communicators
• We will celebrate our life as part of the whole
  Church of Jesus Christ, in the UK and throughout
  the world
  
• By communicating with our sister and partner
  churches
  
• By understanding differences of language, culture
  and organisation.
  

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C of S Communication Strategy Communication
within the Church of Scotland

• We will achieve and maintain effective
  communication within the Church of Scotland and
  encourage understanding and respect at all
  levels
• By consulting proactively on issues that affect
  different parts of the Church
  
• By establishing and maintaining mechanisms for
  good communication
  
• By developing and implementing communication
  plans
  
• By using new and emerging technologies to aid
  communication.
  

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Who? - Audiences

• External
• Ecumenical partners
• Partner churches overseas
• Non-Church goers/general public
• Other Churches and faith organisations
• Politicians local and national
• Non-governmental organisations
• Voluntary organisations

• Internal
• Congregations, church members, adherents,
  ministers, elders, chaplains, readers, deacons,
  parish assistants, project workers, presbyteries,
  the General Assembly and its councils, committees
  and agencies, central departments and staff

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Why? - context

• The Church of Scotland is part of the universal
  church and collectively and individually, our
  primary mission is to proclaim and live the
  Gospel.
• In order to achieve our mission we need to
  communicate effectively, clearly and consistently
  the work that the Church is doing as it lives the
  Gospel.
• Different parts of the Church need to use the
  same key messages so that our communications are
  consistent and co-ordinated and we are seen to be
  working together to achieve our goals, not as a
  disparate group of churches, presbyteries,
  councils etc.
• We can achieve our objectives more effectively if
  we operate in a culture of communication/sharing.
  

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What? - Messages

• The vision of the church of Scotland is to be a
  church which inspires the people of Scotland and
  beyond with the Good news of Jesus Christ through
  enthusiastic, worshipping, witnessing, nurturing
  and serving communities.
• Panel on Review and Reform Report to the General
  Assembly 2006

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What? - Messages

• The national Church of Scotland
• A Christian, presbyterian organisation
• Over 600,000 people are involved in the life of
  the Church of Scotland and they touch the lives
  of many more
  
• The largest charity in Scotland
• Serving and caring for the people of Scotland and
  beyond especially the poor and the sick
  
• Caring for the natural world
• Engaging and working with sister churches and
  partners in Scotland and round the world
  

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Where?

• We need to use the right communication tools to
  reach our audiences
  
• Website
• Saint Andrew Press
• Life and Work
• Church magazines
• Council newsletters
• Exhibitions
• Noticeboards
• Banners
• Ministers mailings
• Telephone
• Face to face
• Email
• we need to develop stronger two-way
  communication channels
  

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When? 24/7

• Church meetings at all levels
• With the media
• With ourselves
• In our communities
• Think laterally, show an interest in each
  others work, share ideas and resources
  

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Connect 2009/10

• 2009 Scottish Governments Year of Homecoming
• 2010 450th Anniversary of the Scottish
  Reformation
  
• 2010 Centenary of the Edinburgh World Missionary
  Conference
  

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The strategic priority for 2009/10 is better
communication to engage with

• Those living locally but not directly connected
  with the Church
  
• Local, national and international visitors and
  tourists
  
• Partner churches at home and overseas

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Discussion topics - congregations

• How is our congregation viewed by the wider
  community around us, including neighbouring
  churches?
  
• What are the mechanisms we use to communicate
  with the community?
  
• How effective are these? Is there room for
  improvement? If so, what other options are open
  to us?
  
• Can we link with other churches in our area?
• Should we join Scotlands Churches Scheme?
  (www.churchesinscotland.co.uk)

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Discussion topics - presbyteries

• What channels of communication exist between
  Presbytery/ministers/congregations? How effective
  are these channels?
  
• How effective are channels of communication with
  121 and Charis House?
  
• What role do Presbytery elders play in
  communication? Could this be developed?
  
• Is there/should there be a Presbytery
  Communications Officer?
  
• How does the Presbytery relate to the media?
  Could more be done in this direction?

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Exercise - plan a strategy(see brainstorming
guide for more information)

• Set objectives
• Decide on how to achieve objectives
• Define audience
• Define timescale
• Tactics things we are going to do
• Resources needed
• Evaluation how will we know objectives have
  been achieved?