Say Only the Good Things
Good communications are a challenge for every organization. While some people have the communications task, everyone has the responsibility to be a good communicator. What does that mean? Here are some thoughts for all communicators and those for whom communication is a ministry especially those who publish online.
A good online communicator:
- Knows, understands and respects the audience
- Writes/speaks clearly and concisely
- Places a high priority on accuracy
- Fits the content to the platform (website, social media, et.) and the media (graphic, video, etc.) used
- Uses visuals whenever possible
- Provides information in a timely manner
- Observes copyright laws
Catholic communities, like every other organization, struggle to communicate effectively. Some are more successful than others. They follow the 7 guidelines above and recognize that they have a higher purpose that requires a commitment to Christ in all that we communicate.
A good online parish/diocesan communicator also
- Is faithful to Church teaching
- Writes/speaks from a pastoral perspective
- Attracts readers to Christ and the Church
- Communicates the mercy and love of God
- Inspires good works
- Expresses gratitude
- “Says only the good things, people need to hear.”
In this time in our country when there are so many stressors and polarization is dramatic, I ask myself what does proclaiming the Gospel in this climate require. I find guidance in some scripture passages:
Woman Caught in Adultery (Don’t be throwing stones)
Jesus to the woman caught in adultery about to be stoned: “Is there no one here to condemn you? Neither will I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11)
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Parable: (Be humble)
“Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and began praying this regarding himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you: this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
The Call of Matthew (Welcome everyone)
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13)
Jesus was about forgiveness, healing, inclusion, mercy and redemption. As his followers we are called to carry that message to the whole world. He wants everyone to be his disciple. If we are accepting of people as they are, humble in our interactions with others and messengers of healing, others will want to follow Jesus. When we communicate online or in bulletins or in person our commitment to this merciful Jesus—we are good communicators.
A good maxim to use when composing faith-based content is from Ephesians 4:29 “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Do you agree? Tell us why or why not.
