Pastor Mark Coppenger gives 10 PR recommendations for churches on the site of WDC Media, a Christian PR firm. Among them:

Tell only the truth.

Jesus made it clear that he was truth, that we should speak the truth in love, and that liars are contemptible. We must check and double check for accuracy; no “ministerial speaking” or careless zingers, however edifying or fun they might be. And our appreciation for truth should extend to its acknowledgement, even when it comes from our critics…

Don’t be too smooth.

John the Baptist had some rough edges, but he got the job done; he pointed people to Jesus. Jesus and Paul didn’t enhance their standing as diplomats when they used such expressions as “whitewashed tombstones,” “stiff-necked” and “child of the devil,” but it didn’t bother them.

Watch for traps.

Jesus was constantly faced with trick questions and other veiled attempts to injure him, and he counseled us to be as wise as serpents. We must not assume the good will of powerful lost people, whether politicians, businessmen, journalists, heterodox clergy or academicians. Defensive driving makes sense in Christian communications.

Good advice for all of us.

Technorati tags: PR, Public Relations, Marketing