CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) has produced a sixth edition of "How Shall They Hear: A Handbook for Religion Communicators." The soft-bound, 166-page resource is now available to all faith communities across the United States. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of 70 faith groups involved in the handbook's production.
"The handbook is the only one of its kind," said the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, director, ELCA Department for Communication. Shafer is vice president of RCC, an interfaith association of religion communicators.
"The handbook provides instruction for effective communication planning, the production of news releases, photography, art and graphics, and the use of the Internet and World Wide Web, broadcast media, advertising, billboards and more. It shows how to deliver one's message and how to do it well," said Shafer. "It brings religion communication expertise to those who may not have it."
"How Shall They Hear" includes two sections -- "Understanding religious communications" and "Using the right tools and media." Both sections include information on conducting a communication audit; working with interfaith communities; news and feature writing; photography and photo editing; desktop publishing; marketing and more.
"In this, the 70th anniversary year of the Religion Communicators Council, it is appropriate to remember that today's religion communicators follow in the footsteps of many trailblazers. Those early communicators helped to develop and advance the discipline of religion communication. Our work today is made easier by their significant contributions," Linda Post Bushkofsky, Bloomington, Minn., wrote in the handbook's acknowledgments. Bushkofsky, editor of the handbook, is a member of the ELCA.
The RCC is a nonprofit organization created to serve the religious community -- local, national and international. It promotes high standards for religious public relations and communication, provides training and continuing education for people engaged in communication on behalf of religious bodies and institutions, and encourages fellowship among professional religion communicators.
The council is an interfaith, professional, service organization in the United States. It was founded in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 27, 1929, as the Religious Publicity Council. In 1967 the council opened its membership to qualified people of all Christian communions. In 1970 the membership was opened to people of all faiths.
Editor's Note: To order "How Shall They Hear" write: RCC Handbook, c/o
UMR Communications, P.O. Box 660275, Dallas, Texas 75266-0275. The book
is $14.95 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling. Make check payable to
RCC Handbook. For more information about the handbook and RCC, call =
1-212-870-2985.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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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
