Ministry Management
Electronic Mail Management
(By Jim
Harper)
"If you stay current
with the latest technology your ministry will stay on the
cutting edge of what I am doing in the earth."
Word from the Lord
Electronic mail is: "A mode of
communication that uses computer technology as the vehicle
for sending and receiving messages."
It is now the twenty-first century. If you don't
have e-mail it is time to get on-line. If you are on-line
it is a good thing for someone in your ministry to keep up
with the latest developments in this form of communication.
You may want to collect the e-mail addresses of your congregation
and begin to communicate with them more often and in a systematic
way.
Benefits of using E-mail:
- Very low cost of communication. Cheaper
than sending letters in regular mail.
- Can have communication in any part of the
world.
- Can be carried with you as you travel via
computer or other devices.
- It is fast and easy communication of information,
pictures, documents and etc.
- Can communicate easily to staff and others
involved in your ministry.
- Eliminates phone tag.
- Enables you to send or receive messages any
time of the day or night.
- Documents your communications.
E-Mail Ethics and Tips:
- Don't send general e-mail to people
who don't want them.
- If you are receiving general e-mails that
you don't want just send a short message back asking that
your name be removed from their list.
- Keep your inbox clean and updated.
- Create folders to organize and manage your
messages.
- Purchase an anti-virus program and run it
on a regular basis.
- Don't open attached files that you don't know
who they are from.
- Don't read other people's personal e-mails.
- If you send important information and you
want to know if they have received it then attach a "request
for receipt."
- Read your e-mail regularly. For example, every
morning and evening. Don't let your e-mail control your
time.
- Do not assume that your messages are private.
Do not write anything that may be personal or incriminating
unless your messages are guaranteed to be secure.
- Make the subject line clear and brief. When
the recipient of your message reads the subject, they should
get a good idea about the content of the message.
- When signing out of a message, include a full
closing statement. Don't leave people wondering who you
are and how to contact you! Closing statements can include
your full name, organizational affiliation, full mailing
address, e-mail address, telephone and fax.
- When replying to a message, be sure that you
are replying to an individual and not a group of people.
This can be embarrassing.
E-mail is a tool that can't be overlooked. You may want to
have a brainstorming session with your staff on how to use
this tool more effectively. What other tools such as e-mail
can you add to your ministry tool-kit? It is time to catch
up, the twenty-first century is flying by.
". . . and knowledge shall be
increased." Dan 12:4
By:
Jim Harper
Missionary/Itinerate Minister
Founder of "Radical Church Growth"
Email:
jhm-acc@cfaith.com
Web site:
www.jimharper.org
U.S. Address:
Jim Harper Ministries
303 East 2nd Street #1032
Skiatook, OK 74070 U.S. phone: (619) 757 9453
We pray that these "Ministry
Management Tips" have been a blessing to you and will
help you grow your church or ministry. You may forward these
to anyone who may benefit from them.
Your feedback and comments
are welcomed. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
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