#MeToo – Bring empathy, passion and conviction to discussions

By Julie Brinker, who serves as Community Relations Director for the Church of Scientology in Nashville, TN.

While the #MeToo movement may seem like a difficult topic to discuss openly, three scholars were able to speak to this, not just with empathy, but with passion and conviction at the second plenary of #RCCACP2019.

The #MeToo movement has created a platform calling for change around gender issues in nearly every sector of society. This panel took an intersectional approach to exploring and challenging the present state of gender representation in media and media production. The panelists, all engaged in a range of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about gender disparities, were Dr. Glory Dharmaraj, U.S. coordinator for the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) of the World Association for Christian Communication; Dr. Sarah Macharia, global coordinator of the Global Media Monitoring Project; and Dr. Karri Whipple, a speaker, writer, and activist who promotes transformative justice work within communities.

Whipple spoke about the urgency of understanding the #MeToo movement as it keeps cropping up in each of our news feeds on social media. “We need to realize our role of religious communities… we have a responsibility to speak out about the daily reality of this, not just in the face of crisis.”

Dharmaraj pointed out that faith communities are also not immune to sexual assault and abuse. Many times younger people do not know how to speak about this issue, they “know it is not okay, but do not know what it’s called.” Further, she said, “Naming the issue is important. The enemy is not ‘men.’ The enemy is patriarchy and violence.” Dharmaraj went on to point out that “certain religious texts have been misused to silence women who are not able to distinguish the voice of patriarchal culture from the sacred scriptures.”

Macharia spoke about the major challenges that face religion communicators. “As faith communicators, we sharpen the lens even further… so justice and gender and professionalism are seen truly.”

Whipple spoke about the need to take it further. “How are you educating those you are reaching? How can we make this more than just a hashtag? I’m hoping we can think about what does it look like to have long-term structural change.”

Dr. Glory Dharmaraj is U.S. coordinator for the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) (@whomakesthenews) of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) (@waccglobal). Since the project’s inception in 1995, she has led media monitoring on the role and image of women in the United States. She also participated in WACC’s peace journalism project, coordinating peace monitoring for the United States. Dr. Sarah Macharia is the global coordinator of the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) (@whomakesthenews), a 114-nations longitudinal research and advocacy initiative for gender equality in and through the news media running since 1995. She represents WACC on the International Steering Committee of the Global Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMAG) initiated by UNESCO to follow up on the implementation of the media recommendations (Section J) of the UN 1995 Beijing Platform for Action for the Advancement of Women.

Dr. Karri Whipple (@karriwhipple) is a speaker, writer, and activist who promotes transformative justice work within communities. Her work focuses on the intersection of trauma, identity politics, and religion. She is particularly interested in the ways in which gender, sexuality, and race shape responses to violence and trauma within faith traditions. The panel was moderated by the Rev. Eric C. Shafer. He is Senior Pastor at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica and Vice President of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC).

Julie Brinker is Community Relations Director for the Church of Scientology in Nashville, TN. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org.

Religion communicators convene to see in new ways

By Rev. Brian Fesler, senior pastor of the Church of Scientology in Nashville, Tenn., and a member of the national board of governors for the Religion Communicators Council.

More than a hundred journalists, editors, publishers and other communications professionals convened April 10 at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago for the combined annual conventions of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) and Associated Church Press (ACP).

Entitled “Seeing in New Ways: Possibilities and Perceptions,” the convention brought together two of the oldest professional associations in the field of religion communications. RCC, formed in 1929, is the oldest interfaith professional organization in the world and has the mission “to provide opportunities for networking and professional development for people working in communications for a wide variety of faith-based organizations,” while the ACP, tracing its origin to a 1916 meeting, is brought together by a “common commitment to excellence in journalism as a means to describe, reflect, and support the life of faith and the Christian community.”

The convention opened with a challenge from its organizing committee: in a world of chaos, “What are we doing as communicators to make it better?” The opening plenary by award-winning journalist and author Judith Valente, senior correspondent for NPR affiliate WGLT Radio and writer for U.S. Catholic and National Catholic Reporter, explored that challenge and offered insights drawn from the deep well of Valente's observation tempered by her years of experience with the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and PBS-TV.

“Reporting is a sacred trust,” said Valente, describing how journalists accompany people through tragedy, suffering and defeat as well as victory and new life. “Journalists must live on the margins of life. Stand apart, to see more clearly the forest for the social media. ... Ours is a post-truth era, an age of ‘alternate facts.’ We've reached a crisis point – we're all too willing as a society to accept exaggeration, misrepresentation of facts and sheer delusion as truth.”

Valente implored those present to play a primary role as a listener, saying only then could one channel another's experience. Drawing on the theme of the convention, she asked “How can we as religion communicators be seekers of truth and still uncover new perspectives?” Her most recent book, “How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community,” provided a basis for some answers to that question.

Faith reporting today is about “what it means to be alive in the twenty-first century,” Valente said, “The most compelling story can be someone living out their faith.” She detailed moving coverage of a meeting between a Muslim leader and a leader in the LGBT community in the wake of a tragic incident, and a story about a Tennessee pastor pushing the envelope to shine light on the HIV crisis. She stressed that “how people live out their faith” is as worthy of attention as other news, politics and the arts, and that the contracting of faith and values coverage by mainstream media outlets should be viewed as an opportunity for the religious press to use other avenues for getting the stories out – stories that may be about what is new, “but also about what is essential.”

So, what can religion communicators do to make this world a better place? Listen attentively, see in new ways. Find the truth in every story, and find stories in the truth of the lives of those who live their faith. Consider the views of those who conspire as well as those who inspire; write the good, expose the bad. Push pens across pages and keys into keyboards. In short, communicate. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org.

Rev. Brian Fesler is senior pastor of the Church of Scientology in Nashville, Tennessee and a member of the national board of governors for the Religion Communicators Council.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Puts Research Into Action

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

How does one take research and put it into action? This was the topic of discussion for the most recent meeting of the Religion Communicators Council, a group of religious communications professionals who meet monthly.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter recently heard from Sheila King & Magda Vaughn, two research professionals, who presented the topic of the day “Research 101: Putting Research Into Action.”

The meeting took place in early April at the Church of Scientology in Nashville.

King & Vaughn presented important information related to utilizing research to its fullest. “We were glad to have them present at today’s meeting. This is especially vital as we need to be able to use research for future projects, and the tips were wonderful,” says Julie Brinker, Communications Coordinator for the Nashville RCC.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter. 

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Learns About the Great Reset

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

What do people of vastly different faiths and backgrounds truly have in common? How can they discuss differences and walk away friends? This was the topic of discussion for the most recent meeting of the Religion Communicators Council, a group of religious communications professionals who meet monthly.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter recently heard from Kalinda Fisher, who founded the Great Reset.

The Great Reset is what Fisher dubs a series of open, heart-felt conversations around difficult topics that lead to enduring friendships between even the most disparate peoples. The series of conversations began in Fisher’s home a year ago, and has now spread to more than five other states.

The meeting took place in early March at United Methodist Communications on 12^th Avenue South in Nashville.

Fisher showcased the success of the Great Reset, and RCC members were encouraged to support her in her work, as this aligns with the purpose of the RCC, to “encourage understanding among religious and faith groups.”

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council to Learn about The Great Reset

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

What do people of vastly different faiths and backgrounds truly have in common? How can they discuss differences and walk away friends? This is the topic of discussion for the next meeting of the Religion Communicators Council, a group of religious communications professionals who meet monthly.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter learned during a meeting last year how to get a message across with a specific audience of people. That meeting was hosted by guest speaker Kalinda Fisher of Advocate Market Research. Fisher spoke, too, about a project she has been working on: The Great Reset.

The Great Reset is what Fisher dubs a series of open, heart-felt conversations around difficult topics that lead to enduring friendships between even the most disparate peoples. The series of conversations began in Fisher’s home a year ago, and has now spread to more than five other states.

The meeting will take place March 12 over lunch at United Methodist Communications on 12^th Avenue South in Nashville.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Religion Communicators Council Discovers How to Lead When No One Listens

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

How do you engage volunteers to help forward a cause? How can you keep them coming back to help in the future? This is what religious communications professionals learned during their monthly meeting in Februrary. The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations.

“Learning how to engage people to forward good causes is so valuable,” says Julie Brinker, Communications Coordinator of the Nashville chapter of RCC, “People of faith are always looking for help to spread positive messages, or have engaging events. It’s necessary to know how to help people want to be involved.”

The meeting took place on February 5^th at the United Methodist General Council on Finance and Administration building over lunch. The guest speaker was Reah Aitken with St. Jude Research Hospital. Aitken has been engaging volunteers and working with people to promote positive messages for over a decade.

Her presentation to the Religion Communicators Council was an informal discussion on how to keep volunteers engaged. She covered tips about the right kind of swag to incentivize, as well as tips on recruitment, and various levels of volunteers (from your one time volunteer to your brand ambassadors and committee members).

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more.

The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Religion Communicators Council Learns What it Takes to Make An Idea Stick

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

How come some ideas stick while others fade? This is what religious communications professionals learned during their monthly meeting in January. The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations.

“It’s important to know how to get an idea to remain relevant and interesting,” says Julie Brinker, Communications Coordinator of the Nashville chapter of RCC, “People of faith need to stay on top of current ways to communicate their message to people, otherwise religious influence could fade.”

The meeting took place on January 8^th at United Methodist Communications over lunch. The guest speaker was Laura Buchanan, Senior Creative Content Specialist at United Methodist Communications. Her passion for writing, strategic messaging and connecting with audiences comes from a 12-year career in nonprofit fundraising and faith-based communications. Her topic on “What makes an idea memorable?” comes from the book, “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.”

Buchanan’s presentation covered six basic ways to make content relevant and interesting: 1) keep it simple and easy to understand, 2) drop in something unexpected to grab attention, 3) make it concrete so they remember, 4) ensure the information is credible, 5) create an emotional connection with the content, and 6) tell a story.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more.

The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council to Learn What Makes an Idea Stick

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

How come some ideas stick while others fade? This is what religious communications professionals will learn during their monthly meeting in January. The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations.

“It’s important to know how to get an idea to remain relevant and interesting,” says Julie Brinker, Communications Coordinator of the Nashville chapter of RCC, “People of faith need to stay on top of current ways to communicate their message to people, otherwise religious influence could fade.”

The meeting will take place on January 8^th at United Methodist Communications over lunch. The guest speaker will be Laura Buchanan, Senior Creative Content Specialist at United Methodist Communications. Her passion for writing, strategic messaging and connecting with audiences comes from a 12-year career in nonprofit fundraising and faith-based communications. Her topic on “What makes an idea memorable?” comes from the book, “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.”

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more.

The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Hears About Strategic Marketing

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

For any message to get across to an audience, a strong strategy is key. This is what religious communications professionals gathered to learn recently during their monthly meeting where they heard from a marketing specialist for a large electrical corporation who shared the five key ways to make strategic marketing easier.  

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations.

“Religious people need to stay on top of the way messages are communicated in today’s world,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, president of the Nashville chapter and pastor of the Church of Scientology, “Knowing key ways to strategically deliver a message is very helpful to people of faith.”

The meeting took place at United Methodist Communications over lunch.

Lori Whitbey of Schneider Electric was the guest speaker for the day. Whitbey emphasized awareness and education promoted on various media to general audiences, then strategically getting your message across to help potential clients or consumers find your products or services.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter. 

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Learns the Importance of Video in Marketing

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

In today’s world, video has become an inherent part of living, and as such, is a vital communications tool for anyone trying to get a message across. People of faith trying to get a message of hope out to the world need to understand and use video production to better communicate with those they are trying to reach. So, a group of religious communications professionals gathered recently for their monthly meeting to learn more about video production and its importance in marketing.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations.

“Religious people need to stay on top of the way messages are communicated in today’s world,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, president of the Nashville chapter and pastor of the Church of Scientology, “We live in an audio visual world, and it’s essential that faith communities have people who know how to use video production to get their messages across.”

The meeting took place at the American Muslim Cultural Center over lunch.

Judith Black of Upshot Media was the guest speaker for the day. Black emphasized two key points above all else: the importance of good audio in videos, even above the image quality, and ensuring the video creates an emotional impact on the viewer.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council to Learn About Storytelling in Digital Media

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

The ever-changing landscape of digital media can be difficult to navigate, especially for a person of faith trying to get a message of hope out to the world. So, a group of religious communications professionals will gather to learn more about storytelling in digital media next Tuesday during the monthly meeting of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC).

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations.

Rev. Brian Fesler, president of the Nashville chapter and pastor of the Church of Scientology, says, “Religious people need to stay on top of the way messages are communicated in today’s world. Now, more than ever, we need hope highlighted on the social stream.”

The meeting will take place at the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church on October 2^nd over lunch.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Talks Religion Reporting

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

How does religion take the spotlight in this fast-paced world of in-your-face news media? That is what a group of religious communications professionals learned about Tuesday from the Religion Reporter of the Tennessean newspaper.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter just met to hear about the best practices to get their news in the mainstream in such a way that their story can be heard.

Rev. Brian Fesler, president of the Nashville chapter and pastor of the Church of Scientology, says, “We only get what we shine a light on. If we see more in the news about spiritual values and accurate religious reporting, we will have a better world.”

The meeting took place at United Methodist Communications on 12^th Ave South.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development. The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among religious and faith groups. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.