CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Fifteen African American congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will develop radio ministries for outreach in African American communities. More than 30 pastors and lay leaders gathered here Jan. 29-Feb. 1 for a training event to learn what radio can do for their congregation and community.
"We want to help make known the Lutheran church and its ministries within African American communities," said the Rev. Patrick Keen, Imani Lutheran Church, Chicago. "The Lutheran church and its ministries are not well-known here. The radio is one way to develop outreach efforts in order for people to get excited about the church and its ministries," said Keen.
"Participants were given an instruction manual on how to produce a radio program and exposed to radio jargon and philosophies behind radio ministry," said Susan Greeley, ELCA senior producer for public media ministries. "They learned how to identify their target audience, elements of radio broadcasting and how to write a script to attract who they want to reach. Each congregation produced a 60-second radio spot to take to a radio station," Greeley said.
"Radio reaches 95.3 percent of all Americans each week as 96 percent of all Americans over the age of 12 listen to the radio," said Juan Marcos Gallardo, director for Christian Vision, Pembroke Pines, Fla. "The average American listens to the radio three hours and 20 minutes each weekday," he told participants.
According to Gallardo, radio can be one of the most cost-effective ways to reach a community. "One way is to rely on public service announcements, which are offered free of charge," he said.
"Radio stations are run by people who have human needs and concerns, and pastors have something very important to offer those people -- a compassionate, listening ear. Congregations considering radio outreach should consider establishing relationships with the management of a station," Gallardo said.
"We left the event with a product, tools and skills to develop radio ministry, and a solid understanding of how important it can be as an outreach tool," said Keen.
Participants received a resource from a series of materials combining communication and evangelism called, "Go Public!" It includes a CD with fourteen radio spots in English and eleven radio spots in Spanish, ready for congregations to use.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
