Explore new ways to assist churches in their own communication and marketing efforts. At its April 1999 meeting the GSC affirmed the above purpose statement, endorsed the conclusions of the staff group, and instructed the general secretary to appoint a person to convene a Communication Strategy Task Force. The purpose of this task force was to build upon the GSC April 1999 report, develop an overall communication strategy, and recommend a structure best-suited to carry out a coordinated communication effort. At the general secretary's request, Dave Vanderwel agreed to chair this task force and facilitate these discussions. In its meetings the Communication Strategy Task Force reviewed existing communication efforts within the denomination and affirmed the findings and conclusions of the April 1999 GSC report.
Denominational communication needs to be mission-focused.
We need to articulate a common message based on the RCA Statement of Mission and Vision. The leaders of the denomination need to determine and articulate that message, and our communication efforts need to support and reinforce it. Denominational communication needs coordination. We need a structure and a strategy in which decisions about allocating human and financial resources can be made. With all the competition for the attention of denominational members, we need to have a coordinated way to set priorities in order to maximize our communication efforts.