January 2, 2005
GN 1104 FD/MM/FM
For Family Discipleship Homes
By the International PR Board‚ January 2005
FD/MM/FM
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Greetings from the International PR board,
God bless you all! In this GN we will explain the criteria by which the PR board will be reviewing Family discipleship Homes at the biannual reviews. Much of what we have listed as criteria are things that you are already familiar with and most likely are already doing.
Public relations is an important aspect of Family life. Public relations means letting your light shine so that people may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. When we think about having "good PR," we should be considering and asking the Lord whether the public is being given the right impression of our movement by the sample we portray.
The term "PR" has taken on a negative connotation from misuse in the world. Many public relations firms try to disguise the problems their clients have and make them appear better than they truly are. But for us in the Family‚ PR is a relatable and positive presentation of our actual lives.
Yet, we are in a continual spiritual warfare with a relentless and vicious Enemy, who always attempts to paint a bad face on what is a thing of beauty. Thus, in many places we have been given an undeserved bad reputation, and part of our public relations is to work on reversing that image.
In the past, secrecy, sometimes necessary, sometimes not, regarding our affiliations‚ locations, and beliefs has fed that bad image. Although being judicious will always play a part in our lifestyle, this shouldn't stop us from being the light to the world that Jesus has asked us to be.
These considerations have played a big part in the Lord's guidance regarding the important PR criteria that FD Homes are now being asked to abide by. These criteria cover openness, honesty, persecution preparation, sample, and being ready to give an answer to him that asks. We are therefore asking each Home to elect a person in the Home to, in teamwork with the Home, act as its spokesperson with local contacts and friends, and any others who inquire about the Home's work and affiliation with the Family. This person will also be the Home's PR criteria monitor. The spokesperson/monitor should counsel with their Regional Council via their area PR board on matters involving authorities or the media.
Following is the complete list of the PR board criteria and questions to help you and us ascertain how you are doing on the PR front. Next we'll give a fuller explanation of each criterion, followed by quotes from the published Word on each one.
We pray that this GN will be helpful for you. "As you call on the keys, you will see your capabilities and the scope of your influence widen, so that you will be more effective than ever before."
Love,
Your International Public Relations board
Note: All excerpts from the Charter in this GN are taken from the as yet unpublished and unfinalized revision of the Charter currently being worked on.
A Family discipleship Home promotes the Family International and makes known their membership in their follow-up, CTPs‚ not-for–profit or for-profit entities, NGOs (nongovernmental organizations), co–work with other organizations, fundraising, provisioning, and appeals for funding.
A Family discipleship Home should promote the Family by making known their membership, particularly in their outreach, fundraising, follow-up of contacts and donors, distribution of Family witnessing tools, as well as in their CTP projects. Ongoing contacts should be aware of what organization the Home represents and have access to tools that explain the Family, such as official Family websites, appropriate literature or brochures in their language, taking into consideration advice from the Regional Council.
The goal the Lord has set out for us is to build a well-rounded Family missionary work, implementing the Activated program to distribute the Word and enlarge our folds by active witnessing and follow-up‚ resulting in the expansion of our membership. As such‚ it is required that the Home's members actively promote the Family and are diligent to make known their membership in all their missionary activities.
The Lord has led the Family to minister to the needy via CTP works around the world, which can be a wonderful avenue for ministering to friends and supporters as well, thereby "reaching the rich" and providing tangible evidence of the Home's good works in the country. When carrying out CTP activities and programs, it is required that Family disciples make known their association with the Family, and where possible, make available literature that will promote the Family and its good works.
Although it is not necessary that every CTP be carried out in the name of the Family, particularly if an alternate name would be more easily understood by the public in your local field, it is required that members clearly state to the people they are ministering to that they are members of the Family International.
In some situations, Family Homes participate in joint CTPs with other organizations such as government-sponsored charities, NGOs, and church charities. In such a case, it is required that the Home members make known their membership in the Family to the sponsoring organization. Where possible, Word and other literature should also be made available that will promote the Family International and its good works, along with the Home's missionary activities.
Over the years since the Charter's implementation and prior to the publishing of the "Conviction vs. Compromise" series, a number of Homes and ministries have registered their local CTP projects or missionary works with the government‚ and have thus become an officially recognized charity, association, or foundation. Some Homes or areas are also operating "for profit" entities for the sale of tools to stores and wholesalers. In many cases, such foundations and charities have proven beneficial for the obtaining of visas‚ permits, and other benefits for some of the Homes in the local area.
Due to the manner in which some of these entities were originally registered and thus received official recognition, some operate under legal limitations that do not allow for an official or public affiliation with a religious group of any kind, or what would be considered an outside governing body. Such agreements are legally binding‚ and in some situations‚ it is not possible for these Homes to change the nature of their charity or foundation, without dissolving them altogether. And in many cases these Homes have obligations that cannot be easily rescinded or a fruitful work that would be lost or disrupted by doing so. Homes that are in these circumstances will not be required to terminate their involvement in such official entities to maintain Family discipleship status.
However, although these associations may be bound legally in such a way that does not allow them to promote the Family via their foundation, association‚ or charity, it is required that the Family members involved are honest and forthright and make known their personal membership in the Family. In addition, the Home is required to actively promote the Family and build a well–rounded work as a Home, and will be evaluated on these points as would a Home that does not operate a registered entity. Thus they will need to engage in other activities that promote the Family and build a Family-based work in order to fulfill Family discipleship requirements.
However, Homes opting to officially register their local works from this point forward should take care to seek counsel from their regional PR board to ensure that they do not take on an obligation that will not be compatible with Family discipleship requirements. Management of these legal entities can be quite complex, so any Home considering opening such an entity should prayerfully consider whether it is necessary or even to their advantage to do so.
In conjunction with what is given in the Word, the Regional Council will be ultimately responsible to determine how open Homes in a region or country should be in making public their association with the Family, or even refrain from doing so altogether under extreme circumstances. Unless, however, you have been explicitly informed by your Regional Council in writing or by email that the nature of your country requires such caution‚ at the Home review your Home will be evaluated as to its progress in making known your association with the Family in your CTPs, fundraising‚ outreach, and all other missionary activities.
Negative media, criticism from churches, or anti-cult attacks may not merit a "sensitive field" approach, so you should make sure to seek counsel about any questions you may have. If you have a concern about operating openly in your country or area, you should counsel with your PR board, which will also consult with the Regional Council.
Word basis
A Family discipleship Home:
L. Presents itself in an honest manner in its interactions with the public, making known its membership with the Family … .
As a Family discipleship Home, you represent the Family in your interactions with the public. Although your local work or CTP project may operate under a local name‚ it is important in all fundraising, provisioning, appeals and involvement in non–profit, NGO, or other associations to make known your membership in the Family. (The Love Charter, "Basic Responsibilities of a Family Discipleship Home")
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(Dad:) The Lord is leading you‚ dear Family, to further strengthen and expand your witness, encouraging you to build the reputation of your local works‚ showing that the Family is a positive force for good in your local community. Build around the new restructured Family; build on how the Family helps and encourages the lives of others; build, so that your good will not be evil spoken of. Face outward to the fields and the harvest. Get out witnessing and winning‚ being a testimony for good. Get out building your contacts, encouraging your friends‚ and giving to others. Strengthen your follow-up programs. Build the influence of your work. Set the foundation of your local work on a rock, testifying of the Family. (ML #3420:66, 67‚ GN 1007).
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(Mama: ) You should be proud of your profession as a Family missionary! You should feel confident approaching anyone and explaining what you do and how you live. You should be proud to be a salesman for a worldwide missionary organization that has the best products and literature available! (ML #3400:112, GN 992).
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(Jesus:) That doesn't mean you need to tell every single detail about the Family immediately, but to actively hide or actually deny your association with any religious movement and to not mention the name of the Family fairly early on in your work relationship with others is extremely unwise and will only backfire. (ML #3364:139, GN 960).
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(Mama:) There are Homes in many countries around the world that have used their work with the poor to win the favor of the local or national government. There's nothing wrong with that. In fact, that's an important benefit of "Consider the Poor" work. But while doing so, some Homes have disassociated themselves completely from the Family name and tools. They no longer use the Family literature or follow-up tools at all, and don't want it to be known that they're part of the Family. If no one knows you're the Family, you certainly can't be working toward expanding the Family or winning labor leaders who love the Words of David. Therefore, it is not acceptable to only do CTP work‚ and certainly not if it causes you to divorce yourself completely from the Family name and Family literature and products. (ML #3400:117, 122‚ GN 992).
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(Mama:) While we must pull out of unfruitful CTP works and get back to our primary job of witnessing the Words of David and winning labor leaders, if you've made a commitment and people are depending on you, you can't just up and drop whatever CTP you're doing and leave, irresponsibly, without notice. For example, if you're working with a foundation or some organization and you've committed yourself to a certain project, you can't just decide you've changed your mind and you don't want to do that anymore and just pull out‚ without warning. But if that's the case, you will need to work extra hard to make sure you have a good balance in the rest of your outreach program, so it's not only CTP work. If you must continue your CTP work‚ then you'll probably need to do double duty, putting in extra hours witnessing so you can also concentrate on reaching the labor leaders. (ML #3400:153, GN 992).
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(Jesus:) I can understand taking on a certain name for a particular "Consider the Poor" project if that name has meaning and possibly communicates more to the local people than simply the name "The Family." If the motivation for adopting such names is for such a legitimate reason, then it's acceptable. But there should always be some association with the Family, some explanation or tie with the Family; otherwise your presentation is deceptive and I cannot fully bless you. If you deliberately hide or even deny your association with the Family, then when it becomes known that you are not just associated, but actually longtime‚ full-time members of the Family, your reputation, testimony, and works will be tarnished! (ML #3364:135-136, GN 960).
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(Jesus:) There is both a time and a place for not openly saying you are part of the Family, and you know these times well—when you are in a country where your work is banned, or where the authorities would imprison you, or where being a Christian is itself dangerous. But there are other times and places where saying you are a Family member would merely bring upon yourself and your work unpopularity, or negative media and name calling. Will you deny your link with the Family during these times as well? Beware of compromising for gain or solely for the opinions of men, for what you think to be security. Am I not the best security, your true security? (ML #3348:61, GN 943).
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(Jesus: ) Not associating yourself with the name of the Family, especially in countries where there is a strong anti-cult movement‚ reinforces in people's minds that all new religious movements are bad‚ because they never hear or see otherwise. They're left with that delusion, and with time grow more and more close-minded about it. They don't have an opportunity to see the truth. Whereas if you're continuing with your good, solid, Christian sample, while at the same time being honest about who you belong to and what you believe, then people can see the truth for themselves, and it breaks down the negative, twisted perspective built up by the media and the ACs. (ML #3364:151, GN 960).
A Family discipleship Home presents itself in an honest manner‚ and acts responsibly in its financial and business dealings‚ provisioning, fundraising, tool distribution, appeals for support, record-keeping, and other obligations, including those related to for–profit or not–for-profit entities, humanitarian aid, and the receipt of government benefits.
Part of our Christian witness is to "provide things honest in the sight of all men" (Romans 12:17), and that we "be found faithful" (1Corinthians 4:2). The PR board's second criterion is to ensure that Family discipleship Homes and members are honest and responsible in all their interactions with the public.
It is important that Homes do their best to make donors aware of what organization they are donating to and how their donation will be used. Honesty with your donors and using the goods/monies for the purpose they were given is an important part of our sample and witness to our donors. If your donors give you permission to sell the donated goods and/or to keep a percentage of their material or financial donation for your own use, this is, of course, acceptable.
As an organization involved in missionary and charitable work, your donors will expect that some of the monies donated will be used to cover overhead, as this is a needed and legitimate use of part of the money. Thankfully‚ because of the Family's frugality and living communally‚ overhead is minimal when compared to other organizations that are engaged in similar activities and have huge overheads.
It is important to maintain sufficient records of the Home's finances as per Charter requirements. If your Home were to come under official scrutiny, it would be good to be able to provide an accurate picture of your income and expenditures. The Family provisions and lives communally, and that lifestyle is frugal. When the income is divided amongst the members of the Home, it is very little per capita. It is often difficult for people to believe how little we need to operate our Homes. If you have fairly good records and they see you have made an effort to be diligent with them, it can work in your favor.
Receiving government benefits without fulfilling the legal obligations can have serious repercussions. If you are not fulfilling the eligibility requirements for these benefits you leave yourself open to fines and/or court action. This would end up causing you financial troubles, give you a bad name, and could reflect poorly on the Family.
Some Homes have set up associations, foundations, and other legal entities, and those involved must fulfill their required obligations with regards to the finances, holding required meetings and any other legal requirements.
Word basis
A Family discipleship Home:
L. Presents itself in an honest manner in its interactions with the public, making known its membership with the Family, and acts responsibly and honestly in its financial dealings‚ provisioning‚ fundraising, tool distribution, appeals for support, bookkeeping, and other obligations related to for-profit or not-for-profit entities, humanitarian aid, and the receipt of government benefits, so as to reflect positively on the Family.
As a Family discipleship Home, you represent the Family in all your interactions with the public. Although your local work or CTP project may operate under a local name, it is important in all fundraising, provisioning, appeals and involvement in non-profit, NGO, or other associations to make known your membership in the Family. It is also important when requesting funding or goods that the monies or goods received are designated and used for the purpose for which they were requested. We are to "provide things honest to all men," lest the Home reflect negatively upon the Family at large. It is of course understood that it may not always be possible to make known your affiliation with the Family in sensitive fields‚ which will be decided upon by the RC or voted on and passed as an area goal. (The Love Charter, "Basic Responsibilities of a Family Discipleship Home")
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Family disciples should:
S. Conduct themselves as good Christians, showing outgoing love and concern for others and fulfilling their obligations, legal and otherwise, to them.
An important part of showing love and concern for others‚ whether in the Family or not, is to fulfill your obligations, legally, morally, or otherwise, to them. For example, if someone lends you his or her vehicle, your duty as a good Christian is to return the vehicle in as good or better condition than when it was loaned to you. Or if you borrow a piece of equipment from someone and break it, the loving thing to do is get it fixed or replace it before returning it to him or her. Another example of fulfilling your obligations to others would be if you were to sell your car to another Family member. Your obligation to that person would be to ensure that you inform him of any defects or problems with the vehicle before selling it to him, and that he receives the title to the car, and that all other necessary paperwork is in order. Being faithful in business dealings with others—whether Family members or not—is an important part of your sample as a good Christian. (The Love Charter‚ "Responsibilities of Individual Family Disciples")
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A Family discipleship Home:
B. Pays its bills on time, keeps current on its financial liabilities, and remains out of debt in accordance with the [Charter] "Financial Rules."
(Dad:) "God's Word says that we are to provide all things honest toward them that are without, that the ministry be not blamed (2 Corinthians 6:3; 8:21), and so that you do not bring reproach on the cause of Christ as well as the name [of the Family]. This also includes your failure to pay bills or debts that you rightfully owe! You are to owe no man anything, save to love him" (ML #143:40–41, Vol.1).
"You can't pay some bills in advance, but you better set aside for them and plan on the fact that it's going to be approximately so much. Set it aside so that you can pay it when it comes, instead of saying, 'Oh well, when the bill comes due, the Lord will supply somehow.' That's the way a lot of you were operating and all of a sudden the bottom dropped out. The bills came due, but instead of the Lord supplying, the Lord taught you not to do business that way" (ML #701:69, Vol.6). (The Love Charter‚ "Responsibilities of a Family Discipleship Home Regarding Financial Matters")
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A Family discipleship Home:
D. Keeps accurate records of its financial state and discloses to all voting members, 18 years old and above, the financial standing of the Home, including all financial liabilities, income‚ and expenditures on a regular basis of at least one time per month. A two–thirds majority determines whether a "regular basis" should be more often than one time per month.
As explained in the "Rights of the Individual Within the Home," B., each voting member is entitled to know, and it is the Home's responsibility to disclose, a complete financial state of the Home. The Home should keep accurate records of its finances to be able to do this. It's up to the Home Council to decide how often and in what way this information is to be disclosed, but is the Home managers' responsibility to disclose this information at least one time per month. (The Love Charter‚ "Responsibilities of a Family Discipleship Home Regarding Financial Matters")
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D. …
1. Solicited "designated gifts" must be used for the purpose for which they were designated according to the prior agreement of the Home.
2. Unsolicited "designated gifts" must be used for the purpose for which they are designated.
There are times when members are given financial gifts for a specific purpose; these are known as designated gifts. When a Home or an individual are given such gifts, they must use them for the purpose for which they were given.
Designated gifts are to be given to whom and for what they were given. And if you want or need them for something else, then you must not give them to something else without asking the permission of the donor. If the gift is solicited—that is, the member is specifically asking someone for a donation for a specified purpose—then he or she should do so in counsel with the Home. If the gift is unsolicited—that is, someone gives it for a specific purpose, but the member or the Home did not ask for it—it must also be used for the purpose it was given. If there are funds left over after the item is purchased, these funds should be used as the Home sees fit, as with all other Home income. (The Love Charter: "Financial Rules").
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(Peter:) We are Christians, and as such, we are supposed to emulate the qualities of Jesus. We're supposed to be filled with His love and His concern for others. We're supposed to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. If you're not acting in love, if you're not showing outgoing concern for others, both within your Home and outside of it‚ then you're not fulfilling this responsibility. If you swear‚ steal, cheat, lie, speak evil of your brethren, continually criticize and put others down, cause discord within your Home or act in other unchristian ways, then you are not fulfilling this requirement.
At the summit we added to this clause the words, "fulfilling their obligations, legal and otherwise." Sadly‚ there have been numerous reports of Family members who are not faithful to fulfill their obligations to others in matters such as taking care of necessary legal paperwork, diligently attending to business matters which they have agreed to take care of and that other brethren are depending on them for‚ etc.
This part about fulfilling your obligations not only applies to your interaction with Family members but non-Family members as well. It means being on time for business appointments, diligently taking care of matters that you are required to by law, or that your friends and contacts are waiting on you for, such as getting certain paperwork done on time, etc. If you're not faithful to fulfill your part of the bargain when dealing with the System, and especially with your friends and contacts, you're apt to offend and lose them, as has happened too many times! (ML #3197:127-128,132, GN 803).
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(Dad: ) From the top man even down to the lowliest sidewalk distributor ... I want to be sure that they know the general state of the finances‚ and they know the people who are handling them‚ and they trust them when they say, "We know where every bit of the money goes, and it's going right back here into God's business to pay expenses, including our expenses and our living and what we eat and where we live!" No individual is profiting, personally or individually, but it's all going back into the job and the publications and to the kids themselves. (ML #301A:18, 19, 22, Vol.3)
A Family discipleship Home is making progress in its persecution preparedness, being proactive in documenting its local work and building good relations with the local community.
The Lord has been warning us for many years that more persecution is on the horizon‚ either because persecution comes to all those who live godly in Christ Jesus (2Tim.3:12) or due to our own lacks in heeding His Word and following what He has asked us to do. Either way, the Lord has been telling us to be prepared. The first way we can prepare is to be sure we know what we believe and are prepared to stand up for those beliefs as witnesses to the truth. The place to find the Family's beliefs‚ policies and practices concisely articulated is in the Family statements. It is important that voting members, and especially the Home's spokesperson/monitor, be familiar with these statements and have a working knowledge of them. You should also be familiar enough with the Charter that you can use it to explain more about our lifestyle and the rules governing our movement, the responsibilities and rights of our members, and so on.
Another avenue of preparedness is in regards to the many good works the Family performs around the world. Much is done in the way of good works by many Family Homes that either goes undocumented or is not sufficiently documented. Although good works in the way of CTPs are not a main emphasis of the Family, they nevertheless are an important part of our sample and witness and go a long way toward showing our good works to authorities and the general public. They should not be a mere show, but each one should be a genuine reaching out to help others because the love of Christ compels us. It is beneficial for Homes to document these works with photos, recommendation letters, and reports.
The PR board has designed a short report form that can be used to document what you have done in any particular year. These are required and are to be filled out in September of each year, starting in 2005, and sent to your regional PR board. We encourage you to fill this out for 2004 once you have received and read this GN, but it won't be required for 2004. For instance, if you have a project at an orphanage you regularly visit‚ hold Activated classes and/or seminars, church in the Home‚ Bible studies and/or other regular ministries and activities, you don't have to fill out a report every time you hold one, but you fill out the report once a year documenting your cumulative work. (See the "Annual Project Activity Report" at the end of this GN.)
Home members should do their best to develop good relations with their neighbors and local community. If a Home is open and engaging in evangelization and having visitors over regularly, it is going to attract the attention of neighbors. Furthermore, if a Home has children—and most will have many—they are sure to attract attention, and questions will undoubtedly arise with regards to their schooling and care. Having friendly and active interaction with those in your neighborhood should help forestall negative ideas being formed about you.
From time to time your regional PR board will issue advisories, and it is important that these be read and applied. The Home's spokesperson/monitor will receive copies of all-Home advisories from the regional PR board, as will the Home managers. As we all know, it is the nature of our Enemy to regularly cause our good to be evil spoken of‚ so we must do what we can to be prepared to counter whatever allegations are hurled at us. The Lord usually does not allow anything to happen without giving us ample warning, and often it will be your PR board that will hear of impending trouble and will notify you of such. And if you hear of any potential persecution brewing‚ please notify your PR board as soon as possible.
Having good security is implicit in the term persecution preparedness. By security, it is obvious we don't mean that you should hide your identity in countries where you are free to operate; but by security we mean that you follow the security guidelines in the Charter with regards to computers, addresses, selah trash, the pubs purge, etc.
It is also important that all legal and/or required documentation is kept in order and up to date. This includes such things as passports and visas (if needed), and other legal papers. Anyone in the Home who drives needs a valid driver's license able to be used in your country. Car ownership and insurance papers need to be current. Please also be aware of and prayerful concerning other national requirements.
Finally‚ on this review point‚ persecution preparedness means that in many countries it would be wise to consider and pray about having a lawyer who is well versed on the Family before any trouble hits. It is not necessary for every Home to have its own lawyer. A lawyer could be shared by all the Homes in a city or even greater area or country. Getting a lawyer up to speed on the Family after trouble hits is an immense job, so it is better to have one who knows you and is prepared ahead of time.
In some countries, however, briefing and retaining lawyers is not as helpful as cultivating good relations with officials and/or people of influence in counsel with your City Council and area PR board. If these people are friendly and made aware of the troubles the Family has faced in the past, and the outcome of those troubles, as well as being familiar with you, your Home members, and lifestyle, and have a knowledge of how vicious and outrageous the accusations against us have been and can be, they will be aware and therefore in a stronger position to help you if and when trouble hits.
Word basis
Family disciples should:
C. Believe and teach the Family's fundamental beliefs, both biblical and revealed‚ as published in "The Family's Statement of Faith" or otherwise declared as such in a publication with a ML or GN number.
The Lord, through the Bible, Dad, Mama, and Peter‚ has poured forth an immense amount of teaching, training, guidance, spiritual truths, revelations, and direction. The Bible and the Letters embody our religious beliefs and doctrine. These beliefs vary in importance, but some are an integral and essential part of our faith, which as Family disciples we must believe and teach.
"The Family's Statement of Faith," though it doesn't supersede the Letters, contains a comprehensive listing of the Family's fundamental beliefs, including the following subjects: the Holy Scriptures‚ God and the Trinity, Creation, the fall of man, Jesus Christ the Son of God, salvation by grace, the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Spirit‚ fruits of the Spirit, the gift of prophecy, angels, departed saints, Satan and his demons, spiritual warfare, prayer, divine healing, the Lord's Supper—communion, the fellowship of believers, the Church, the Great Commission, consecration, our separation from the world, discipleship‚ cooperative communal living, marriage and children, the sanctity of life‚ civil government and religious liberty, Jesus' Law of Love, a theological perspective on sexuality, the Bride of Christ, and the Time of the End.
We also have other beliefs that are explained in published MLs‚ which we consider to be fundamental and essential. However‚ not every Letter or publication from World Services contains fundamental or essential beliefs. There are thousands of Letters that have been published on a myriad of subjects. Contained within them are a wide variety of teaching and revelations, dreams and spiritual experiences, and advice and counsel on both spiritual and practical matters. Some of these are fundamental and essential to our belief system and some are not. (The Love Charter, "Responsibilities of Individual Family Disciples")
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F. Family disciples must keep their personal legal papers in order and up to date.
It's important that everyone is sure that all of their necessary legal documents are up to date and available. It's wise to carry appropriate identification with you when you're off the Home's property. What you would choose to carry would depend on where you live. In many places a driver's license or local identification card will suffice. In other places a photocopy of your passport would be enough. (The Love Charter: "Home Life Rules").
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(Mama:) We all need to be well founded in the basic beliefs of the Family in order to be effective witnesses. We need to know what we as members of the Family believe and why. We need to be fully convinced that our beliefs, lifestyle and goals are Scriptural. We need to be prepared to give powerful answers to those who inquire about our faith, so that we can do what the Lord has commanded us—feed the sheep, win disciples, and build a strong church of dedicated outside members.
In addition to helping us to be the witnesses and fruitful missionaries we need to be, being strong in our foundation of faith is crucial when we experience persecution and hear the accusations of apostates. When you face bad publicity‚ inquiries from authorities, or hear the tales of those who are no longer with us and have chosen to fight us, it's natural that you'll get hit with doubt, fear‚ discouragement, etc. The only thing that will help you to stand strong in the face of such challenges to your faith and lifestyle is being strong in the Word.
It doesn't matter if you're smart, talented, a good speaker or debater, personable in relating to those outside the Family, etc.; those qualities will not be enough when you need to defend the Family and your faith against the vicious attacks of our enemies. Only the Word will give you the strength, power, and faith to keep going and trusting the Lord.
Being strong in the Word is what makes the difference! That's the secret to making it through such battles, challenges, and tests with your faith still intact! In fact, if you're strong in the Word, you can come through such experiences even stronger and more full of faith and inspiration, having defeated the Enemy and witnessed the Lord's tremendous saving power. (ML #3420:10–13, GN 1007).
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Every Home should prepare an album to present their local work, complete with photos, news clippings, letters of recommendation‚ thank-yous, etc. Presentation albums should be updated regularly.
Keep an album or binder of positive materials about our worldwide Family, including summaries of favorable court rulings, positive evaluations by leading academics and prominent individuals, outstanding news clips, selected DFO testimony pubs, etc. ("Persecution Tips!—Part One," FSM 253, p.1).
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(Dad: ) You should always be prepared for these possibilities and eventualities‚ and that your Home is tight and secure and there's nothing that's going to blow in the wind and get you in trouble. Everyone's papers and passports and visas should be in order, stamps in order and up to date so that even one careless neglectful member of the Home does not get the others in trouble because of his negligence and failure to renew his passport in time or to get his proper stamp or whatever it may be. In our home we always make someone who has some managerial ability and a little authority to frequently have at least a monthly passport check‚ check the expiration date of your passport itself, check your stamps, make sure they are in order and you're not overdue for a visa trip, and also to check and make sure each time you leave the house that you have sufficient funds in case you're stopped to show money (ML #1067:140–141, Vol.9).
A Family discipleship Home must have a Public Relations spokesperson who, in teamwork with the Home, represents the Home to the general public, contacts, friends‚ and to any who inquire about the Home's local work and affiliation with the Family International. This person is responsible to ascertain that the Home's Steering Council is cooperating and counseling with their Regional Council and Public Relations board regarding contact with authorities or the media. This person will also be the Home's Public Relations criteria monitor. It is important that he or she be familiar with the Public Relations board criteria to ensure‚ as a voice to the Home and its Steering Council, that the Home is following and implementing the criteria.
The role of the Home's PR spokesperson is to represent the Home to the public—those who may inquire about the Home's local work and its affiliation with the Family. The spokesperson should also be the Home's PR criteria monitor.
The Home's spokesperson should be someone who, in teamwork and counsel with the Home, is prepared to speak—in consultation with the PR board when possible—with local authorities and other officials, who could handle general inquiries about the Home's activities and affiliation with the Family, and who could help to defuse difficult situations with detractors or antagonistic people. There could be situations where another Home member might be more qualified to speak on the Home's behalf, for instance in a case where the spokesperson is a non-national and it would be better that a national do the talking. Nevertheless, the Home's spokesperson needs to be prepared to handle these kinds of situations and have on hand PR material such as brochures, photo albums, letters of recommendation, etc. He or she would also need to be knowledgeable about local laws that have a bearing on the Home and its work. However, the Home's spokesperson speaks for the Home alone and is not an official Family media spokesperson unless designated so by the regional PR board.
The Home's spokesperson is responsible to ensure that the Home's Steering Council immediately notifies the regional PR board chairperson in the event of Family-related media activity in their city/area. With media, it is often critical that a timely response is made in the case of incorrect or hostile coverage. It is therefore important that the Home get in touch with their regional PR board for advice. The Home's Steering Council and the spokesperson/monitor should have a phone number or means of contacting their regional PR board chairman as soon as possible. Any media activity that has the potential to affect the work falls under the mandate of the regional PR board.
In the event of interviews with local media regarding your local CTP and outreach work, it would not be necessary to obtain permission from your regional board. However, it is wise to counsel with the other Homes in your city/area about potential media coverage‚ especially when the article/program could affect them.
If there is any interaction with local media regarding your local work‚ it is highly recommended that the spokesperson/monitor is certain that the Home's Steering Council reports about it to the PR board so that the PR board can stay abreast of what is going on in their area. A short report with a copy of the article/transcript of interview, etc. would be very useful. In the past a number of positive interviews have taken place without the PR board being aware of them. Positive media coverage is like gold and can be used to help promote our good works.
The Home's spokesperson/monitor should, in counsel with the Home's Steering Council, take up the challenge to see that the Home's members are aware of any all-Home PR advisories, and, in counsel with the Steering Council and the Home's voting members, is looking into how to implement any steps the Home may need to take. He or she is also responsible to ensure that the Steering Council reports any serious PR problems to the PR board.
Word basis
A Family discipleship Home:
N. Has elected a Public Relations spokesperson to help represent the Home to local authorities, government officials and any who inquire about the Home's local work, affiliation with the Family, or other legal matters. This person is responsible to communicate and counsel with their regional Public Relations board regarding media contact or inquiries.
The Lord has indicated that we are always to be prepared to "give an answer to him that asketh." As such, each Home should elect a person who will be responsible for keeping abreast of the Family statements, persecution preparedness, and public relations as passed on by the PR board or WS, and help the Home's Steering Council to assess on an ongoing basis that their Home is up to par should it fall under official scrutiny. It is suggested that each Home member should also be prepared to explain all the Family's doctrines and answer local authorities about their work. (The Love Charter: "Basic Responsibilities of a Family Discipleship Home").
*
(Dad:) An important part of our witness and public relations is our handling of visitors. We can suffer severe damage and losses along this line, as well as miss some great opportunities because of neglect and carelessness in this field! You need a responsible, cool-tempered level-headed Christian diplomat‚ with unlimited patience and love! (ML #50A:1‚4, Vol.1).
A Family discipleship Home is a positive reflection of the Family to the public and the local community, and would be a positive reflection in the case of official scrutiny. The Home is in line with Charter standards and local expectations in reference to such things as cleanliness, vehicle and property maintenance, adequate living conditions and accommodations‚ homeschooling documentation, and responsible witnessing with children.
The importance of our sample to the world cannot be overstated. Our sample can be divided into two areas: our sample as individuals when we are on outreach, and the sample of our Homes. Although they are closely interrelated‚ the first is mainly in the realm of the CGO board. The PR board is concentrating on the Home's sample.
The Lord has been emphasizing our ministry to labor leaders and influential people, and thus our Homes need to be of a good enough standard that these types of people will feel comfortable coming to visit. We don't have to live in mansions, but our Homes need to be nice, neat, well organized, and clean. They also need to be large enough to comfortably house the number of occupants. But Homes don't have to be sterile environments; they should be places of happiness and joy. If your Home always looks unlived in, it might make visitors feel uncomfortable.
The outside of your house is important as well. It is your first impression to the community and to visitors, and "man looks on the outward appearance" (1Sam.16:7). Yards should be maintained‚ grass mowed, and gardens tended. Trash‚ junk, or crates of provisioned food should not be left lying around. Be prayerful when choosing the location of your Home. Look for areas where visitors will feel comfortable and safe when they visit. If the Home's ministries include such things as running an area school or storage of donated goods before distribution, the Home should ensure that it has adequate facilities, which are in keeping with local or neighborhood expectations. Accommodations also need to be up to Charter standards as outlined in the "Home Size Rules." The relevant excerpt about this is included in the "Word Basis" for this point.
You could also, if possible, aid in keeping the immediate neighborhood tidy too.—Getting involved in neighborhood cleanup drives, etc., will speak volumes. Forging and maintaining good relations with your local community will help you to be at peace with all men and probably able to last longer where you are so that you can fulfill the Great Commission.
What is and isn't acceptable differs from country to country and culture to culture. Homes need to be very aware of local customs and seek to not give offense, "that the ministry be not blamed" (2Cor.6:3). Try to be aware of what standard the locals expect of their neighbors, so that your presence in the neighborhood will be welcomed.
Vehicles should be kept clean, have a good safety standard, and all necessary paperwork should be current. Drivers also need to have a valid driver's license for the class of vehicle they are driving. They also need to follow all the counsel and rules outlined in the Charter's "Driving Rules."
It is important to be sure that the inclusion of our children in witnessing‚ follow–up, and CTP is a good testimony and reflection on the Family. Some factors to bear in mind are: local customs and regulations; that the children's standard of dress is appropriate and their clothes are adequate for the time of year; in many countries, having children on outreach during school hours may arouse concerns; ensuring that they are adequately chaperoned; and taking into account their safety in public places. If you have any questions about this, feel free to contact your local CP board for counsel.
Word basis
Family disciples should:
T. Refrain from activities or behavior that would be a reproach to the cause of Christ and/or reflect negatively on the Family.
All of us should be a good example of a Christian and of a Family member, for our sample speaks much louder than our sermon. As much as possible, our actions should lift up Jesus, and none of them should defame or blemish either the Lord or the Family.
In different areas of the world, this could mean refraining from different things. Wherever we live, we must take into account the traditions and culture of the community or country and try not to do things that would offend individuals of that culture. This is part of trying to comply with the biblical counsel to "become all things to all men" (1Corinthians 9:22). (The Love Charter, "Responsibilities of Individual Family Disciples")
*
A Family discipleship Home:
M. Refrains from engaging in activities that reflect negatively on other Homes in their area or country, or on the Family in general.
The customs and mores of society vary from country to country, so something that is acceptable in one country may not be acceptable in another. Homes therefore need to be sensitive to the customs and values of the country in which they reside, and should try not to engage in activities that are considered offensive. "We ought to conduct ourselves in these countries in such a fashion that the people of the country and its officials will be proud to have us there and thankful for us because we're doing their country good" (ML #1202:41, Vol.12).
By engaging in unacceptable behavior, a Home's actions could reflect negatively on the other Homes in the city, country, or area, or on the Family in general. In such a case, a Home would be expected to refrain from that activity. (The Love Charter, "Basic Responsibilities of a Family Discipleship Home")
*
Something to keep in mind when judging the population of your Home is the ratio between the amount of personnel and the available rooms in the house. Dad said, "I want every worker to have comfortable quarters, and warm comfortable beds" (ML #301A:49). Your house should be big enough to comfortably house those in the Home. When pioneering or finding a new house, make sure your house will be large enough for your Home population, so that everyone is comfortable and not overcrowded.
Everyone should have a bed in a bedroom. Couples should have their own rooms; singles should at least have a room with other singles. No one should have to sleep on a mattress on the floor unless it's an emergency, your Home is in the early stages of pioneering a work, or it's local custom, such as in Japan. Your children need rooms for schooling; you might need an office room, etc.
If members of your Home don't have their own bed and place to put their things, then you either have too many people or your house is too small for the amount of people you have‚ and therefore you need to find bigger housing. (The Love Charter. "Home Size Rules")
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A. Men or women driving a motor vehicle on a public road must have a valid driver's license for the class of vehicle being driven, and must be familiar with and obey the driving regulations of the country.
B. Any vehicle that is in use on public roads must be properly registered and insured according to the laws of the country.
C. All vehicles in use must be safe, well maintained, and in good running condition; otherwise they should not be used.
Dad has written extensively on vehicle safety. Unfortunately, for some Homes the criterion for using a vehicle is "does it move and will it get us where we want to go?" Driving a vehicle is dangerous enough without driving one with faulty or weak brakes‚ no lights‚ or bald tires, etc. If your Home is using a vehicle, it is the Home's responsibility to make sure it is legally registered, insured, and safe. (The Love Charter. "Driving Rules")
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(Dad: ) Help us, Lord, to be a good sample of You and Your Love. Help us, Lord, to understand them enough, and their religion and their customs and their ways, so that we shall be aware of the differences which might cause friction or difficulty in things we do or say, so we will not offend them in any way (ML #631:146, Vol.5).
*
(Dad:) [You] need to learn something about the culture and the customs and their dress and all that sort of thing, their taboos. You don't want to offend them with certain things, even foods, etc. [You need to know] the general culture and customs and mores of the people, how you should dress and not dress, what offends them and doesn't, and what to say and not to say.—What to do and not do in polite society, in other words, or even on the common street what is expected (ML #1214:73-74, Vol.12).
*
(Mama: ) Another important way that our Family can give the Lord some cooperation in order to "avoid all appearance of evil" with outsiders, is to simply obey the many health, cleanliness and safety rules Dad has given us in the Letters. For example‚ one of the main things that the System clamps down on people for and can even use as a justification to take away their children, is when they find that living conditions in the children's home are unsatisfactory, unsanitary or unsafe.—And sad to say, we've heard of an incident or two where the authorities clamped down on Family members when they discovered that their mobile home or house was unkempt, dirty, or dangerous.
Whereas if our folks would obey the instructions the Lord and Dad have given us on the importance of cleanliness and safety-consciousness with children, then our people shouldn't have any of these kinds of problems with the authorities. Besides, whether there's a threat from the authorities or not‚ we're supposed to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and safety! Our Homes should all be examples of good, clean‚ godly living! (See "The Dirty Dorm Dream," ML #676; "Dirty Homes," ML #836; "Cleanliness Is Godliness," ML #1031; "Cleanliness with Children," ML #1220; as well as the topics "Cleanliness" and "Safety" in the Cat Book!) (ML #2572:39-40, Lifelines 19).
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(Mama:) The Lord is not willing that you live in poverty, brethren! You have a big job to do for Him, and He wants you to have what you need to do it. He wants you to have accommodations that are ample enough for you all to be comfortably housed‚ spacious grounds on your property or nearby where your children can have the get-out they need‚ and located close enough to major population centers so you and your teens can have access to good witnessing opportunities. He wants you to have good, safe‚ reliable cars, vans and buses to provide the needed transportation for your ministries.
He wants you to be well cared for physically and to have the medical attention you need, including proper eyeglasses and dental work, vitamins and healthful foods, so that you will be strong and healthy to do your work for Him. He wants each of you to have the means to be well-groomed and well-dressed to be a good sample and testimony to the world. He wants your Homes to be well heated and well lit so you can remain healthy to do His work, and to be good witnesses to His love and care. He wants your children to have the computers, textbooks and reference books, walkmans and guitars and other equipment they need, so that they can have top quality training as the future leaders of His Kingdom. He wants you to have money to buy what you cannot provision (ML #2929:8-9‚ Lifelines 21).
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(Jesus:) You folks need to get stirred up and strengthened in your convictions as My ambassadors. You need to get out there and claim the land! Claim your country for Me! Claim its leaders, its upper levels of society, for Me. Get out there and reach them—and not just gently and lightly, but challenge them to do something for Me and others. Make disciples of your nation.
You're only going to make disciples by reaching the top, and you're only going to reach the top if you change your mentality. You have to focus on the power, not on the obstacles. You have to look at the untapped potential that there is, not at the poverty and the lacks. You have to lift up your eyes and look on the white fields that are ready to harvest.
If you really want to reach the top, if you want to bring them in close, get them to work with you, to join you and to be a part of you, then you have to relate to them. You learned from Paul of the importance of "becoming all things to all men," but sometimes you neglect to apply that across the board. You need to be able to relate to the rich as well as the poor. You need to be able to make those from the upper levels of society comfortable with you—comfortable in your Homes and meeting places—just as much as you need to make the poor feel comfortable with you when you visit them.
The people who are labor leaders, who have potential to really go somewhere for Me and become teachers and preachers, teaching others and spreading the message, are usually going to be those who will appreciate and respect a higher standard. If you are ill-mannered and lack a vision for your life or work, if your children are rude and dirty; you live in shabby, unkempt, run-down Homes, you're going to turn off and turn away those who need you, and who you need in order to reach your country.
Some of you might think that the poorer you appear, the more people will want to give to you, but that's not true. No one likes to give to a failure. Nothing succeeds like success. I'm not saying you should live in extravagant mansions and drive the most expensive cars, but you do need to have a good standard of stewardship. The things you do have should be in good shape, maintained, and clean. And if they're beyond the point where they can be in good repair and clean, then you should have faith that I will supply better things—better houses, better vehicles, better furniture. You and your children should also be the kind of people who represent My Kingdom well, with good manners and an appealing presentation of My truth.
If I have called you to reach the labor leaders, and I have, and therefore to be able to relate to them‚ then you should and must have the faith to live the right personal standard. There is no reason to let the impoverished mentality of a country or sector of society dictate your attitudes or surroundings. You are My children. You hold the power of the keys. You are destined to rise above! You're not meant to crawl along the ground—you're meant to fly! You're not meant to arouse pity; you're meant to arouse envy. I want the world to look at you and think‚ "I want what they have! I want to be like them!"
I want them to see that you have peace of mind, purpose in your life, inspiration in your work, and a quality of life that they are missing. I want them to see your personal life and family life, and to feel motivated to be like you, to be better people, better husbands, wives, fathers or mothers, better Christians. I want them to look at you and see that you're loving, courteous, unselfish, and hard-working, and that your children are well behaved and educated in all ways.
Those who get closer to you will admire your faith when you live in decent, clean and uplifting surroundings. It will be clear to them that because you have faith in Me, I provide; that because you are My children, I take care of you, even though conditions around you might be bleak. They will not look at you with contempt or criticism or wonder why you have such nice surroundings in a "poor" country. They will admire your faith. I want you to be examples of faith and of My ability to do the impossible for you.
One of the ways I want you to stretch your faith and prove My power is through raising your personal standard in all ways. It may seem a small thing‚ but the example that you will be through this will speak loudly, and will mean much to those who you minister to. It will touch both the rich and the poor‚ the educated and the simple. It will be one of the keys to reaching the top, and reaching the top will be the key to flooding the land with My truth and reaping the harvest that awaits. (ML #3400:57-58, 60-62, 64-67, GN 992)
We know this might seem a bit overwhelming on a first reading, but the good news is that most FD Homes are already fulfilling most of these requirements and guidelines. There are some new initiatives‚ but even these have been somewhat expected of Charter Homes in the past and are definitely expected of Family discipleship Homes now. We want to emphasize that our goal is to make sure that each FD Home is functioning at the level they should be as far as Family public relations is concerned. We truly believe that if a Home is fulfilling these criteria‚ and those of the other boards‚ it will be a fruitful and happy Home reaching its potential as a light set on a hill‚ which will be a shining example of Christian love and living.
Please feel free to contact your regional PR board regarding any questions or concerns you may have, or for assistance on these matters. We will be praying and claiming the keys for all our Homes, as we all work together to reach these exciting goals. "The keys have the power to create, to shape, and to mold any prayer into reality. Call on them when you pray and you will be blessed to see and hear of the mighty miracles and deeds that I will do on behalf of My children now and in the days to come."
We love you very much and we are all in this great movement of the End together. The future is as bright as Heaven itself, because that is where we are headed. In the meantime, the Lord wants us to live in heaven on earth in our Heavenly Homes!
For Family Discipleship Homes, January 2005
1) When engaging in witnessing, follow-up, or CTP work, are you open about your membership in the Family?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
2) Are you open about your membership in the Family when fundraising, provisioning, or making appeals?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
3) If you operate and/or are involved in a legal entity, such as a not-for-profit or for-profit, NGO, or co-work with other organizations, are your Home members open about their relationship with the Family?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
4) Do your appeals for funds or goods accurately represent how you intend to use them?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
5) Are donated goods and/or monies used for the purposes for which they were requested?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
6) Does your Home keep records of income, expenses, and liabilities as per the Charter?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no‚ please explain
7) If you operate and/or are involved in a legal entity such as a not-for-profit or for-profit‚ NGO, or co-work with other organizations, do you fulfill the necessary legal obligations and accounting requirements?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
8) If any members of your Home receive government benefits, are they satisfying the requirements?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
9) Are Home voting members familiar with the Family International's statements and do they know or are they learning how to present the Family's work and doctrines?
[ ] All of the voting members
[ ] Most of the voting members
[ ] Some of the voting members
[ ] None of the voting members
If not all of the voting members, please explain
10) Do you have a portfolio or presentation of up-to–date materials that document your Home's ministries, including such things as a PR brochure or folder, photo album, recommendation letters, etc.?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
11) Has the Home Public Relations criteria monitor checked that all necessary legal documentation for each member is in order and up to date, and if not up to date, is that documentation being worked on?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
12) Does your Home take active measures in the area of persecution preparedness in accordance with current GNs, Family publications, and area public relations goals?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no‚ please explain
13) Does your Home abide by the Charter security guidelines outlined in the "Home Life Rules" as well as those established through area goals?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If most of the time, some of the time, rarely or never, please explain
14) Have all pubs in your Home been purged in accordance with the Pubs Purge requirements?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
15) Does your Home or area, in consultation with the public relations board, know of a lawyer and/or an appropriate local official who would be in a position to offer counsel and assistance concerning your activities as Family members?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
16) Does the Home have a Public Relations spokesperson/monitor?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
17) Does the Home's Public Relations spokesperson/monitor study the Regional PR advisories or notices and make sure the Home's voting members are aware of the contents?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
18) If there have been any official inquiries or media contact, has the Home contacted the PR board concerning them?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
19) Has your Home informed and sought counsel from your Regional Council through your PR board before participating in national‚ international‚ or other major media interviews‚ documentaries, movies, books‚ written rebuttals, press releases, or articles in the name of the Family?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
20) When witnessing and/or fundraising with minors, is your Home mindful of appropriate hours to do so, local field conditions, local laws, safety concerns, and ensuring that children are properly chaperoned and cared for?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
21) Does your witnessing and/or fundraising with minors reflect positively on the Family and is it in keeping with area goals?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
22) Are your Home and yard well maintained, generally tidy, and free from junk—a good sample and standard of cleanliness to neighbors and visitors?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
23) Is the size of your housing adequate for the number of people living there?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
24) When interacting with the public, including visitors, do members of your Home dress in a way that would generally be considered appropriate and a good sample?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
25) Do you keep your vehicles clean‚ well maintained‚ and are they a good sample?
[ ] All of the time
[ ] Most of the time
[ ] Some of the time
[ ] Rarely or never
If not all of the time, please explain
26) Do your vehicles and drivers have their required paperwork in order in line with the Charter "Driving Rules."
[ ] Yes [ ] No
If no, please explain
As you are aware, your PR board is responsible for "promoting the Family's good name and good works" (Family Board Handbook, A.1.e.). In light of that, we'd like to ask that a designated person (most likely the Home's spokesperson/monitor, although it does not have to be that person) from your Home fill out the following report(s) on projects your Home has been involved in throughout this past year, especially ongoing projects such as regular or long-term Bible studies, or humanitarian projects. However, you may report on any substantial project that your Home has worked on or been involved in over the past year that you wish to document. These reports will give your PR boards the information needed to promote you and our other Family Homes worldwide.
This report will also provide you with documentation of your work. You should include a copy of this report in your Home's presentation folder. Though you can combine all your projects onto one form, we suggest that you use a separate form for each individual project. This would probably be the most impressive to those you show them to. We understand that filling out these reports is extra work for you, but we trust that with this information your PR board will be able to assist you in proclaiming your good works before men that they might glorify your Father which is in Heaven.
There are a few things to bring to your attention:
1. As you will notice, there are two forms, the first with explanations typed in and the second blank, without the explanations. There will be a file that you can download and fill in available on the MO site.
2. You will also notice that there is a space to type in your Home number. When you print out the copy for your Home presentation folder or dossier, you should delete that.
3. If you are sending files of your photos‚ please send them in jpeg format at 300 dpi resolution or better. Name the photo files in the following way. "APAR (Home number) (project name) (photo number).jpg"
4. Please mail or email one copy to your PR regional board chairperson (and a copy to your national board chairperson, if you have a national PR board), and also to the regional CGO board chairman at the same time that you send your Sept. 25th TRF; and keep one in your presentation/PR dossier to show interested visitors to your Home.
for the year of:
[Instructional sample to the blank form following.]
Project Name:
[This can be the name that you've designated for this project, such as "Project Restore Hope" or something simply descriptive, such as "Activated Study Course." This name could also be the umbrella name that covers all of your present outreach ministries, such as "The Family—Timbuktu Outreach Projects," for which you can combine information and statistics into one project report.]
Project Duration:
[List the number of weeks or the months of the year that the project was in operation, such as "6 weeks," or "February-October 2004," or "throughout 2004," etc.]
Home No:
Approximate Man-Hours Spent on this Project:
Brief Statistical Summary of the Accomplishments of Your Project:
[The examples below are meant only as a guide to help make summarizing the accomplishments and statistics of your project easier. Please delete all that does not apply‚ fill in the blanks with appropriate information, and/or feel free to add or adjust information as you see fit to accurately profile a statistical summary of your project.]
We held Christian leadership/training courses/studies/classes attended by ____________ students.
We visited ________ institutions/hospitals _________ times.
We offered anti-drug/bereavement/anti-depression/__________ counseling to __________ troubled youth/disaster victims/young mothers/__________
We delivered or arranged to be delivered ___________ kilos/pounds (or tons) of humanitarian aid to ___________.
We delivered __________ specialty items such as wheelchairs and/or ___________ to _________.
We co-worked with other organizations, including _____________.
We arranged for _________ outings/__________ for orphans/poor/incapacitated children.
We raised $__________ for ____________.
We put on _________ musical/theatrical educational/entertainment performances for __________.
We received _________ letters of thanks/recommendation for our help/contribution/work from the following institutions/organizations/government agencies: ___________________________. [You may want to enclose copies of some of these with your report.]
Our project was featured in __________ (newspaper articles, TV or radio programs)‚ reaching an estimated audience of (number).
[If a favorable article was printed, you may want to enclose a copy with this report.]
Other: ___________________________________________________________________.
Brief Testimonial Description of the Project:
[Write a paragraph or two that describe the project‚ its purpose and accomplishments, and/or include, where possible‚ some personal testimonial from someone who was reached or helped through this project.]
Photo Captions:
[Please include up to 3 of your best pictures from this project. Name them clearly with the project name and then the corresponding number from this list of captions (i.e., 1‚ 2 or 3). Include a brief sentence description of each photo. As these photos may be used in GP publications, you should only send in photos of people and/or institutions that have agreed and/or you are reasonably sure will not object to their pictures being used in this way.]
1.
2.
3.
(Repeat the above as needed for each project you wish to document separately!)
for the year of:
Project Name:
Project Duration:
Home No:
Approximate Man-Hours Spent on this Project:
Brief Statistical Summary of the Accomplishments of Your Project:
We held Christian leadership/training courses/studies/classes attended by ____________ students.
We visited ________ institutions/hospitals _________ times.
We offered anti-drug/bereavement/anti-depression/__________ counseling to __________ troubled youth/disaster victims/young mothers/__________
We delivered or arranged to be delivered ___________ kilos/pounds (or tons) of humanitarian aid to ___________.
We delivered __________ specialty items such as wheelchairs and/or ___________ to _________.
We co-worked with other organizations, including _____________.
We arranged for _________ outings/__________ for orphans/poor/incapacitated children.
We raised $__________ for ____________.
We put on _________ musical/theatrical educational/entertainment performances for __________.
We received _________ letters of thanks/recommendation for our help/contribution/work from the following institutions/organizations/government agencies: ___________________________.
Our project was featured in __________, reaching an estimated audience of ________.
Other: ___________________________________________________________________.
Brief Testimonial Description of the Project:
Photo Captions:
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3.
(Repeat the above as needed for each project you wish to document separately!)
Copyright © 2004 by The Family International
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