Networking
- People-Specific Resource
Network
Guide to Network Function
Security: Communicating within
the Network
Many unreached peoples live in regions of the world where missionary
activity is frowned upon or even illegal. In those areas using security
precautions such as the following, is crucial. However, that is not
to imply that these suggestions are necessary among every unreached people.
Agencies and field personnel can advise you on the security needs of your
people.
From Brigada-Security file: one people-group network’s
security guidelines. Following are guidelines for organizations working
among the XYZ people of X region. (The name of the unreached people and
where they live have been removed.)
Many religious and
governing institutions of unreached people's are well organized in their
ability to gather information not only in their own country, but in western
countries as well. Religious groups from some nations have held world-wide
conferences for the purpose of creating policies to counter Christian activities
in their nations. Some go to Christian conferences to gather information.
It is possible that
comments about specific activities in the region you’ve targeted, made
even in Western church services or other meetings, could adversely affect
the lives and activities of those working among your adopted people group.
Your activities, here
and abroad, can and may be monitored by such religio-political organizations.
It is of dire importance to adhere to security guidelines when planning,
speaking, or writing about your ministry pursuits, so as not to jeopardize
field work or national believers.
The following security
guidelines are adopted by the members joining the XYZ Consultation:
- Reports of Consultation
meetings are only for participants of the Consultation and other trusted
workers involved in work among the XYZ people. However, extreme caution
should be
exercised in the distribution of written reports in-country.
- No organization
will implicate or link another organization to its activities in any publicity
without permission.
- Individual workers
among XYZ People may follow the guidelines of their organizations when
describing and informing family members, friends, and supporters of their
activities.
- The names of Christian
organizations and the names, addresses, and pictures of workers
involved in XYZ People outreach activities must never be given out indiscriminately
nor ever
published in any materials for mass distribution.
- Workers who live
among XYZ People should distribute their field addresses only to trusted
individuals. Careful instructions about the contents of correspondence
should be given to
anyone likely to send letters.
- Organizational mail
and mail with religious content should be delivered by courier to X Region
rather than sent through postal systems.
- Conversations which
take place by means of telecommunication channels (phone, fax, e-mail)
must be discrete. There are numerous words in the Christian vocabulary
(such as "missionary"
and "converts") and in political vocabulary which should never by used.
- Do not refer to
or represent XYZ People contacts in such a way that they can be identified
by
name or photo, in connection with any Christian activity.
- Pseudonyms of workers
and contacts while outside the region should be used with discretion.
Pseudonyms are used to avoid identification of workers and contacts as
missionaries or
believers.
- Generally speaking,
it is recommended that all travelers have a title, employer and address
which is not linked to any Christian organization.
- Short-term workers
who engage in activities which are more overt than that of longer-term
workers must not link their programs to any on-going activities without
permission.
Guidelines For Sharing in Print
or Public Speech
Never put persons,
location (even country), and/or ministry together in print.
Never put persons and
places together in public (verbal). Assuming it’s not recorded, more information
can be given to a limited audience (e.g., a leadership meeting). The more
limited the audience, the more can be shared. When sensitive information
is given, please remind the hearers that its misuse could severely handicap
ministry or harm local believers.
From time to time,
needs, news, etc. should be provided to the [church] body. Unless otherwise
noted, these may be reproduced freely (assuming above concerns and applications
are followed).
WebMaster
1/21/99
