by Natalie Fee

Created on: February 07, 2008

In order to inspire and inform missions supporters and future missionaries, missionary newsletters require truthfulness, human interest, and personal connection. However, many newsletters fall into the pitfalls of over-glorification of virtues and disregard of flaws, insignificant data, and cluttered or poor writing.
Today's churches desire a hands-on involvement in the lives of the missionaries they support. They want personal connections in order to maintain financial connections. Newsletters provide a vicarious, second-hand experience of missions work, but can be written effectively to help readers experience missions in a passionate, meaningful way.

Pre-Writing
1. Identify the audience. Consider targeting those who already have a passion for missions work.
2. Set goals and objectives. Ask why readers will want to read the newsletter. Some goals might include encouraging global prayer or informing readers of needs and opportunities in missions. Objectives clarify how to reach those goals.
3. Consider the content of the newsletter. Focus on a central theme, which allows room for development and creates greater impact in the reader's mind.
4. Stories tend to have the greatest impact. Short ministry stories will impact the reader much more personally and deeply than an itinerary of events or a dry list of strategies and projects. Avoid sermons.

Writing
1. Hook the reader at the beginning of the newsletter.
2. Weed out peripheral data and excessive wordiness. Choosing a central theme will help in discerning valuable data.
3. Use action verbs and the active voice.
4. Use a personal tone to capture the attention of readers.
5. Avoid the phrase "all of you". Only one person can read the letter at a time.
6. Use good formatting. White space and short paragraphs are more inviting.
7. Action shots are more interesting than stiff poses.
8. Prayer requests are a good addition to any newsletter, provided the list is concise. Follow-ups on answers to prayer are also highly recommended.
9. Avoid financial issues. They tend to get sticky.
10. Focus on an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness.
11. Be honest. Honesty will inspire readers and give them a more accurate picture of what missions work really looks like, as well as build credibility with readers.
12. Avoid whining or complaining.
13. Receive editing or feedback from a trusted, honest friend.

In communication, missionaries should strive for truthfulness, human interest, and personal connection. Likewise, missionaries should avoid dishonesty or exaggeration, overloading readers with too much marginal data, and poor writing. Solutions for these common problems include accountability with honest editors and practice. By becoming effective communicators, missionaries will inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps and gain a heart for global missions.

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