Amy Grant Song | Christianity Today Article |

Friends,

I'm having surgery on my left ankle this morning to deal with a torn achilles and bone spurs. Theoretically I'll be able to walk in a week or ten days, should be up and about end of May, but full recovery could be 18 months. I guess patience is a virtue.

-Liz

Change your town, school, library

I recently found the notes from my Ministries of Advocacy and Action course at Brite Divinity School back in 2015 or so. My DMin advisor, Russell Dalton, was the professor.

One of the valuable points of the course is that religious leaders often, in sermons, call people to take action, but as a church we rarely educate on how to take action. We are a community with something to say, we tell our members to say it, but rarely follow-up with guidance, workshops, or group action.

This is great support for those who are already active, but can damper those who aren't sure how to get started.

Our student projects were to give a sample training for our congregations and I want to share Darryl's project with you. (I didn't write down his last name!) While national politics grabs the spotlight, much of the change we can make in the world is local. Our school board, library trustees, senior center, select board, mayor, local police, and other nearby authorities are making decisions that affect our neighbors. We, as Christians, can insist on protecting the common good in our local community.

And so I offer Darryl's experience (lightly edited) on how to speak at a public meeting of your school board, select board, and other gatherings.

Before the meeting:

1) Know what time the meeting starts. Mostly same day, same time, every week, bi-weekly, monthly. Assume it will start on time.
2) Find out how they begin--what are their rituals?
3) Watch old city council meetings--look for patterns of behavior--which members interrupt you, make mannerisms, walk out on you. Be prepared.
4) Get a copy of the agenda. There may be many items. Know where your issue fits in.
5) Know how to sign up to be a speaker. How far in advance, and what is the system for signing up?
6) Encourage staff and members from your church or organization come and listen to speak. Let them give you feedback to improve next time.
7) Show up when there isn't a problem. Be a recognizable figure.

PLAN YOUR PRESENTATION

1) Identify your church, or other organization you are representing. If appropriate use a title you hold (pastor, deacon, elder, chair of a relevant committee, moderator, etc.) You must list the title in your sign-up to use it in your speech.
2) Know the time limits--often 3 minutes. Make your speech about 30 seconds shorter. No one likes someone whose alarm goes off.
3) Include facts and data. The staff will check what you said.
4) Use humor wisely and kindly. It can disarm so people can hear.
5) Practice your delivery at home. Everything needs to be intentional.
Use words that are accessible.

AT THE MEETING

1) Plan your schedule for the day. If you can't be there for the start, be sure to arrive arrive 20 minutes before your time to speak. Plan for traffic and parking. If you cannot be at the whole meeting, listen in on the radio in case they are moving through earlier items faster.
2) Wear blue and red. Project confidence.
3) Before you get to podium, hear your name when is it called.
4) Tell them name, organization, greet mayor, mayor pro-tem, your personal council member, and the rest of the council. Give thanks for the opportunity to speak.
5) State clearly and concisely what is your view. Speak low and speak slow.
6) Look at the council members as you speak to them.
7) You are being recorded--visually and audio. Watch your hands and tics. Don't pace.
8) Don't get distracted by the closed captioning.
9) Thank the council again as you close.
10) Do not ask for questions. Make a statement. If you finish early they might ask questions, if so the time limit goes away. It is okay to say "I don't know" and definitely don't make up answers.
11) Don't leave after your statement. Stay and hear the other speakers on your issue. If you can be heard, listen to others. Don't give impression your time is more important than others.
12) Follow-up with written correspondence to every council member, especially if it is not resolved, or if it is voted down.

IN CLOSING

Hopefully someone from your congregation is involved in the appropriate committee. It's helpful to have your church represented often, if not all the time. Showing up goes a long way toward your authority when an issue comes to the surface.

And always assume that most of the people want to be good people, and want to do what is right. It is our place as a church, as pastors, as committee chairs, as Christians, to stand up for those who are being treated poorly.

Does your church show up at local political events? Are you struggling with book banning, schools not supporting trans students, or other local challenges? Reply to this email to let me know what's happening. ​
​

Christianity Today on Churches being effective in politics without being partisan.

Amy Grant: Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet

Please forward this email to others who might be interested. If you got this from someone else, use the button below to subscribe to the free Act! Be Church Now email newsletter.