When I was active in party politics the highlight each year was contesting elections. Grassroot members were encouraged to participate in the process by delivering leaflets, acting as tellers outside polling stations and canvassing. Ah, the joys of canvassing, knocking on doors and asking people if they supported your party and would be voting for your candidate. A variety of responses anticipated and delivered, politely or otherwise. It was drilled into me that the purpose of canvassing was not to argue about the merits of supporting our candidate but simply to ascertain voting intentions. Identify your supporters and then on the day of the election encourage them to vote.
The party expected candidates to maintain a high profile in the area being contested: being seen at public events, letters in the local newspapers etc. No social media in those days but now it is essential to be social media savvy. Our election team, a diverse group, formed lasting friendships based on our common interest.
Compare and contrast this with how faith organisations communicate with their local communities of geography and interest. Is their coalface the local community or is the focus elsewhere? How does your church engage? Does it even bother? It does? What does it hope to and in fact achieve?
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