Networking
- People-Specific Resource
Network
Guide to Network Function
Security: Letters to the
Field
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.)
Important:
Remember that letters are very often opened and read by government officials.
Subjects to avoid:
- references to missions
agencies, missionaries, mission boards, evangelism, converts, discipling,
church planting, lost souls, unbelievers, being saved, etc.
- do not place a Christian
sticker or tract, video or cassette on or in the envelope.
- references to us
being part of a team and of other team members.
- references to being
a financial supporter, our supporting churches, etc.
- comments about the
religion, its founder and religious leaders, or the holy writing(s) of
the people.
- references concerning
welfare, political situations, or even spiritual warfare (which may be
misunderstood).
- the national and
international policies of the country, nor in any circumstances mention
the Jews or Israel.
- references to minority
peoples in our country.
- the name of national
believers, about which a missionary may have written.
- references to our
accessibility to e-mail/internet/computers.
If there are things
that you would like to write, but are not sure about, please contact the
missionary's agency or home church.
Note: If you
send and receive emails from a work site or university, please print out
your email ASAP and delete the messages ASAP, to protect confidentiality.
If you do want to save messages, please save them on a disk and keep the
disk at home.
What you can share and ask:
- personal news from
home and friends.
- news of your church
as it relates to you; don't mention the names of churches.
- questions concerning
our new lifestyle and culture.
- references to your
own walk with Christ and that you are thinking (i.e., praying) for us.
WebMaster
1/21/99
