Congregations are often on the frontlines of significant social issues, from poverty to immigration to polarization. Clergy’s moral leadership on these issues is grounded in both their spiritual traditions and the lived experiences of their community members.
Yet, risks and inexperience often hold faith leaders back from exercising their moral voices.
The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s Compelling Preaching program aims to help faith leaders preach on critical issues both within and beyond the four walls of their congregation. Leaders took part in a series of three trainings designed to help them reach wider audiences and shape public narratives through:
How will you use your voice? Review the resources and videos below.
The OpEd Project
The OpEd Project runs workshops that “elevate the ideas and knowledge of underrepresented expert voices.” They trained 35 faith leaders in Los Angeles through CRCC Compelling Preaching program to embrace their roles as experts and write compellingly about the issues they care about the most. They also offer virtual workshops accessible to all. Sign up here.
Media Readiness
CRCC’s Megan Sweas, how has worked in journalism and communications for two decades, presented a a workshop on how faith leaders can work with journalists on newsworthy stories with five principles: Be Read-y, Be Available, Be Succinct, Be Careful, Be Generous. Attendees received booklets to remind them of these principles.
Journalist Panel
The workshop was followed by a panel discussion with three journalists working in different mediums about their experience reporting on faith communities. Watch the panel for insights into how to reach wider audiences and shape public narratives by working with media.
Featuring:
- Deepa Barath, Associated Press Global Religion Team
- Jaime Morgan Muñoz, PBS SoCal
- Yusra Farzan, LAist/SoCal Public Radio
- Megan Sweas, USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture (Moderator)
Social Media
Journalists and traditional media outlets are no longer gate keepers for stories. Rev. Terry Wayne Brooks, Sr. Pastor of Bayview Church of San Diego, made the “Case for Connection” with a presentation on how faith leaders can best utilized social media to preach beyond the walls of the congregation. Pastor Brooks leads the largest predominantly African American congregation in San Diego. His social media engagement has led to a partnership with the donation platform Givelify.
Brooks spoke about the fear and obstacles leaders face in getting on social media and presented a theological argument for overcoming those obstacles. He also shared a simple social media strategy and spoke about cultivating a team to help craft a plan.
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