The Confessing Synod Ministries - So, You Want to Do Something about Your Community Situation!

Welcome. As with all advice, credibility is the issue. Please see our part of the website entitled "Victories" for our credibility.

Depending upon what has come to your attention in your community, one must determine whether you are dealing with a problem or an issue.

A problem is certainly noticeable, has huge impact upon society but is not winnable, usually divides the support group, drains energy since little can be accomplished, creates hard feelings and anger.) The situation must be changed to an issue as defined below. (We are also not talking about protest. Protest may be important upon larger problems that people feel strongly about, such as war, but we are talking about local community issues. Protest is a statement or action against something usually without changing the situation that is causing the trouble. We are about engaging to win and solve the issue that results in serious change in a situation for the betterment of the community.

1. An issue is realizable. (Can be delivered)

2. An issue is specific.. (orderly pieces or steps toward the total)

3. An issue is a joiner. (pulls your people together with energy)

4. An issue has a realistic timetable.

5. Fulfills the mission of the organizations.

The next step is once you have determined that what you are dealing with is an issue, you must find others who feel the same way and see the issue as you do. This will always be a minority of folks in any community.

You are looking for leaders, or people in the community that are credible and have trust among their neighbors and institutions. Leaders have healthy self-interests like getting something done for the community, not getting out front to be on TV or an ego trip. Leaders organize to put things into the open so all can see and then win, manipulators want to "work behind the scenes" for control and prevent open argument over strategies, tactics, etc The most effective institution in any area is one that has been around a while and is a community pillar. Are the local community leaders or institutional leaders really leaders or demagogues? Usually a church, non political civic group or local society are good ones to go to first. Ask they how they see your issue and ask if they would like to do something about it by getting their leaders together for an analysis of possibilities of success.

Next; once you have a few leaders together, (not the talkers. ). Then look for a team to start researching the issue. Who is owner of property of issue? What is that person's relationship in the community? Do what we call a community power analysis.

Follow the power of money flow through any community in America and you will discover these realities in operation, whether you want to admit and face the truth or not. Do not quickly judge those who react for it may simply mean that they don't like to see the unpleasantness of life or analyze and deal with both the good of institutions and the evil of others such as gambling/drug networks which always need some kind of power connections. It is through the local acting church that fear can be eliminated and positive direct action can be taken for the benefit of all in the community. Where there is money flow, there is greed. That is human nature and it must be kept in check by the citizenry, not blindly relegated to the authorities.

Then who is the controlling agent of the issue at hand? Visit them and explain your issue. What can they do? Will they help? Always go about the issue in a professional manner and prudent process that is within your leaders experience. Give them time to reply. If you win, the issue is over, if you do not, the action begins….But first…

Before deciding upon a strategy you must determine the actions that are possible and prudent. (Petitions - forget them unless legally binding.) List the possible actions that have a chance to deliver. Can you anticipate the reaction to your action? If not, you are mistaken in the purpose of action. There is always a reaction to every action no matter how mild. It's like the law of Physics. There is always a reaction before victory also depending upon the stature, money involved, power etc. of the issue. Reaction is a necessary step to teach your people what the opposition is really like. Reaction must come before the ultimate reaction of victory or winning your issue. Don't fall for all the hype you will hear such as "you just want to cause trouble", "we need a win-win situation", "all you want is control". "Can't we do this without controversy". Ad infinitum.

Reaction comes in the strangest forms, rarely, at first, directly aimed from your action. It is most always subtle and not recognizable as a reaction by your people. It comes through a "friend" (of the opposition and yourselves). At this point, no single action can elicit a predictable reaction without knowing more dynamics. Thus it would be impossible to proceed directly on your issue from this website without consultation and knowing your dynamics, action, power, etc. Please email us at the site stated on the home page for more assistance and we can discuss our arrangements to help you. www.confessingsynod.com