THE public relations program of our denomination is now a well-seasoned fifty years old! Often thought to be one of the new departments, the public relations work will observe its golden anniversary in 1962. It was launched in 1912, with W. L. Burgan as head of the Press Bureau of the General Conference. Interestingly, this was the first such office in any Christian body in America, perhaps in the world. The Knights of Columbus and the National Lutheran Council followed in 1918. Even in industry the first moves along this line preceded Adventist action by no more than five or six years.
For 1962 a yearlong anniversary program has been recommended by the public relations advisory committee—a program to help your church to break through in the community with its message of hope. Here are some of the anniversary year features you can use:
I. Early in the year
A. Publication of a new manual of Adventist public relations theory and practice, packed with practical how-to-do-it and how-others-did-it counsel. The title, appropriately: Breakthrough.
B. "Let's Meet the Public" night in which church members can discuss community relations. This could be on a Saturday night or some other suitable time.
Suggested Program
1. Show a series of slides on the church's world work (available from the public relations office), or the films More Than Singing, and Ye Are My Witnesses; then bring the question of denominational advance right down to your own community: "What Are We Doing Right Here?"
2. List public relations objectives for church discussion; outline an action program for the year. (A discussion outline with special helps for the leader as well as tips for a successful church "brainstorming" session are available from the public relations office.)
Some Activities for Discussion Are
a. The church reception program, expanded to include plans for spotting possible visitors and encouraging them to come: new residents, etc.
b. Roadside signs.
c. The church press relations program.
d. Appearance of the church, inside and out.
e. Possibilities of planning some of the regular church services, such as Medical Day, for some public participation.
f. Public services that might be sponsored by the church.
g. Avenues of community cooperation, such as fund drives, blood bank.
h. Identification of the church, outside announcement board.
i. Church exhibit at the county fair.
j. Placing information about the church in key places, such as the public library (the General Conference book plan), city offices, news media, and making friendly personal contacts in so doing.
k. Listing the church in hotel, motel, telephone, and terminal directories.
l. Sympathy cards from church to bereaved, congratulation cards to newlyweds.
3. Set up an anniversary year public relations committee with individual members assigned various parts of the program for implementation during the remainder of the year.
C. A strong workshop training program will be scheduled in most conferences during these early months. Sessions for both pastors and press secretaries will cover general public relations matters as well as press relations.
D. Materials to help church members understand their personal role in your public relations program, will be released: posters for the church bulletin board, illustrated "Do and Don't" features for union papers, articles in various church publications—all to strengthen your hand in building a sound program.
II. At midyear
Special public relations features are planned for camp meetings and for the General Conference session.
III. Latter part of the year
A. Community Relations Day, the regular church public relations emphasis Sabbath, with an anniversary theme. Program suggestions will be supplied.
B. A community-wide survey, in cooperation with other departments, tying in with the Religion in American Life program (in which we are participating members—not a church council organization). RIAL materials will be ideally suited to home-to-home contacts. A questionnaire will indicate community church attendance habits and interests to which the church can relate its program.
Throughout the year your members will be kept reminded through our publications of this special anniversary emphasis. Unusual efforts are needed just now to awaken the public to the presence on the world scene of God's people and His message for these crisis days.
With every member cooperating you can lead your church to a challenging breakthrough in your community, bringing your church into a position of greater influence, from which it can speak more persuasively to the hearts and minds of the people.