Using the Speakers Guide

• Think about your goal for your mission emphasis or worship service. Who is the primary audience? What are your expectations of the speaker? This will help determine the most appropriate speaker. Some speakers are in great demand, and their schedules fill quickly. If possible, schedule a mission speaker to appear on a Sunday when your pastor is present so that the pastor will also be informed about missions.

• Think about having a missions speaker who will help your congregation focus on what it means to be a missional church. Many of the Mennonite Mission Network staff are prepared to address that subject. If your congregation is envisioning a new ministry or a new partnership in ministry, staff from the Missional Church Advancement division are especially qualified to work with you.

• Plan and make your request early. Three to six months ahead is recommended. Speaker requests for the fall months usually cannot be confirmed until May or early summer. Be patient, but feel free to check with the contact person to ask about the status of your request.

• Be creative in your use of speakers. Most are willing to be involved in multiple situations and appreciate opportunities for dialogue as well as input. If you schedule someone to speak in a worship service, try also to schedule them to relate to a Sunday-school class, a small group, meals with a group, etc.

• Consider sharing a speaker with a nearby church, especially if you want someone for only one service. We encourage planning for a speaker to have a minimum of two or three involvement times in a church or combination of several churches.

• Encourage younger adults and families to become more interested in missions by arranging for them to host the speaker for lodging or meals. This provides an opportunity for all ages to interact.