Church Public Relation: A Missiological Review

The book titled "Church Public Relations - A Missiological Review" is an effort to give due place to relationship building in the mission. Public Relations have assumed great importance in background of the turbulent situations arising in the missions as-well in its traditional strong holds. It has forced the Church to get back to its cut off relations with the people in general. Public relations are nothing but an art and science of building relationships between organizations and peoples in general.All organizations use public relations, whether they intend to or not.Any communication from an organization affects its relationship for positive or negative. And, whether it is a profit oriented company or a spiritual organization, the principles for positive public relations remain the same. This book makes an explicit link between the Church and public relation for the purpose of mission. Public relations intently invite people to understand the message of Christ to the point of drawing people to understand the works of his followers. In an explicit sense PR intends to make evangelism possible by changing perceptions in the public about Church, Christians and their work in the name of Lord Jesus because people still believe in Lord jesus Christ. So P R is not to make Christ acceptable to people but his followers acceptable to general public. This book tells different ways to change the mind set of people to come close to Christians, because our presentation of Christ can be misrepresented if we do not present ourselves in the manner acceptable to people. Fr.Anand Muttungal is a Catholic Priest belonging to the Archdiocese of Bhopal (www.franand.com). He was born in Ernakulum district of Kerala to Mr. Thomas Muttungal (Late) and Mrs. Monica Thomas. Soon after his Schooling he joined the Archdiocese of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. He is perusing Ph. 0. In Educational Psychology. He is working as Public Relation Officer and Spokesperson. Regional Secretary to the Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue in the Catholic Council of Bishops. Madhya Pradesh. In 2005 he founded "ViSHWA KALYAN ASHRAM" (www.vkaindia.org), a Christian Lay Association to coordinate various activities. He is associated with many organizations working for peace and harmony in the National and Inter-national level. He has published books and a number of articles on current issues affecting the Society and Christian community. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1. PR is the System of Effective Governance Framework 2. Definition and History Definitions of Public Relations: 2.2. The History of Public Relations CHAPTER I CATHOLIC CHURCH AND PUBLIC RELATIONS 1. Church, a Faith-Based Organisation 2. An Overall View of Public Relations in Church 3. Spread of the Church 4. History of Modern Public Relations 5. Notable Changes within the Church 6. Use ofTechnology and Public Relations 7. Public Relations and Propaganda 8. Disseminating Church Principles CHAPTER II SKILLS FOR A PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER 1. Assertive Skills 1.1. Useful Assertive Skills 2. Conflict Management 3. Conversation Skills 4. Interpersonal Skills 5. Listening 6. Public Speaking 6.1. Techniques of Public Speaking 7. Self Understanding 8. Writing Skills 8. 1. Techniques to Improve Writing Skills 9. Related Self-Development Emotional Skills CHAPTER! II PUBLIC RELATION THROUGH MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS 1. Importance of Effective Communication 2. Mass Media Communication 3. A Brief History 4. Kinds of Mass Media. Communication 5. The Church Teaching on the Use of Internet Opportunities and Challenges Recommendations and Concussion 5. Free Lance Media 6. Personal Media 7. Communication Through Public Speaking CHAPTER IV CREATING N EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION 1. Three Musts in a PR Officer Appointment in the Church 2. Communication Team 3. The Media Coordinator 4. The Spokesperson 5. Develop Writing Skills 6. Handling the Media 7. Creating a Press List 8. Timing the Press Release and Call 9. Three Important Elements for Coverage Interesting People CHAPTERV CHURCH AS AN ORGANISATION 1. International position 2. The Catholic Church Hierarchy 3. Religious Congregations 4. Indian Catholic Church 4.1. A Brief History 5. Apostolic Nunciature 6. Catholic Bishops Conference of India CHAPTER VI PUBLIC RELATIONS IN ACTUAL SENSE 1. Areas of Public Relations 2. Public Relation in the Field CHAPTER-VII PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MISSION 1. Communication System 2. Internal Organisational Communication System 3. Intra Organisational Communication System 4. External Communication System 5. Catholic Church and Non-Catholic churches 6. Dialogue and Mutual Collaboration CHAPTER-VII COMMUNICATION AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT 1. Crisis Management Plan 2. Communication Strategy 3. Writing a Complaint 4. A Few Tips to Write an Apology 5. Preparing a Press Release 6. Other Forms of Communications 7. Press Conferences 8. Press Conference in Special Situation 9. Media Interviews and Selected Press Briefing 10. Tips for Television Interviews CFIAPTER-VIII INDIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE MEDIAAND MASS COMMUNICATION 1. Brief History of Media in Indian Church 2. Contribution through Films 3. Contribution through Radio 4. Contribution Through Television 5. Contribution Through Audio-Visual Aids 7. Contribution in the Filed of Media Education 8. Contribution in the Cultural Media Filed 9. Some Major Initiatives 10. Regional Centres 11. Centres Managed by Religious Congregations 12. Diocesan Centres 13. CBCI Commission for Social Communications and NISCORT 14. Some Failures 166 15. Some Important Observations 16. The Real Obstacles CHAPTER-EX MEDIA SCANNING IN PRACTICE 1. Reading Newspapers 2. Analysing a Newspaper 4. Analysing Television News 5. Writing Letter to Editor 6. Responding to Clarify an Issue 7. Expressing an Opinion on Issues 8. Resource Centre and Documentation CHAPTER-X PUBLIC RELATIONS IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN INDIA . 1. Public Relations as Specific to the Church in India 2. Functions of the PR Office 3. Net-working Among PROs 5. Public Relation Office in Madhya Pradesh Church CHAPTER-XI FUTURE MISSION IN PUBLIC RELATIONS 1. A Public Relation Strategy 2. Bishops' Public Contacts 7. Some Suggestions to Improve Public Relations CHAPTER-XII ACTION AGAINST THE PRESS 1. Press Council of India 2. Complaints Procedure 3. Other Methods CHAPTER-X111 INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS The Union and the States Union list State list Concurrent list 1. Legislative System 2. Indian Executive Structure 2.1. Executive Function Modern ranks and rank badges Ranks insignia of the State Police officers Indian Foreign Service: Subordinate Courts to High Court 4. Political Participation in Administration. 5. Organizations and Pattern of Growth 6. Three Major Divisions of NGOs 7. Functioning of Administrative Officials 8. Functioning of Police Officials