13 Types of Missionary Newsletters We Should Stop Writing

Amy Walters • Jul 08, 2014

This week, missions writer Amy Walters of SEND International shares tips on improving the venerable and ubiquitous missionary newsletter.

I read a lot of missionary newsletters — about 100 every month.

As part of my job, newsletters are some of my main sources of stories and information. I also serve on my church’s missions committee. So between the two, I’ve seen newsletters from all over the world and from a variety of missions organizations.

Some of the newsletters I read are excellent. And some, well, not so much. Missionaries have incredible stories to share — they’re on the front lines of God’s amazing work around the world. But so often, the good stuff gets buried under a pile of newsletter blunders.

It doesn’t have to be this way. The key to a great missionary newsletter is balance and tone. Here are 13 common newsletter mistakes with examples from actual newsletters (with names changed, of course), followed by some tips for making your newsletter engaging.

1. The Banker

Nothing but support updates and requests for money. Oh, and maybe a story about visiting a church and asking for money. “It’s not too late to join our team!” Fundraising is itself a type of ministry , so tell us about how even that process is changing you, your family, and others more into the likeness of Christ.

2. The Cluster Bomb

No communication for months and then a sudden rush of updates. Often this happens when the missionary needs something, like more support or home service is coming. “At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we will give another report about how wonderful our time was on our recent trip!”

3. The Itinerary

Basically, a long list of activities and locations in paragraph form. The audience feels tired after reading it and bouncing from one place to the next. “We were able to combine visits to see Kim’s father in Pennsylvania, children and grandchildren in Lynchburg, Virginia, and Buffalo, New York, to meeting friends and attending a new career conference in Ocean City, New Jersey.”

These are important details, but don’t make them the focus. Break them out in a more appealing format like a sidebar or a graphic.

4. The Treasure Hunt

Mostly filled with cultural tidbits and mundane details. But buried somewhere deep inside, like in a sidebar or at the very end of a long letter, is a great ministry story. [After nine paragraphs about other things] “Praise God for a girl in my class who has now received assurance of salvation.”

5. The Novel

Anything longer than three pages. This usually happens because the missionary hasn’t written in months. “And one more thing…” The shorter your newsletter, the more of it people will actually read.

6. The Christmas Letter

Almost entirely made up of family updates, with little or nothing said about ministry. Added bonus: long description and pictures of a recent family vacation to an exotic location. “Another family invited us to join them at a nearby resort.”

7. The Cliff Hanger

A desperate call for prayer or help that is not followed up or resolved in your next missionary newsletter. “Ended up in hospital, trying to find what’s going on. Our life here is but a moment, so easy to take it for granted.” If you’ve asked your readers to pray for something, be sure to update them about it, even if it’s not the answer you expected or hoped for.

8. Generic

As boring as the title, either from lack of interesting details or mainly focusing on day-to-day stuff. So general that it could be cut and pasted into anyone’s newsletter and still apply. “While at home, I did a lot of cleaning, sorting and washing windows.” Your ministry may feel mundane at times, but God is still up to something in the midst of that. Try to put your finger on it.

9. The Shock and Awe

Too much going on, from too many different font styles, to too many colors and clip art and photos and graphs and sections. The eyes don’t know where to look first. Keep it simple and cohesive.

10. The Snooze and Blah

No pictures. No colors. No graphics. Just words. Your readers don’t expect you to be a graphic designer, but try to spice it up a little.

11. The Judge

A negative assessment of the host culture, either subtle or blatant. “Is it possible to be both different and wrong?” Sin shows itself in all cultures and it’s OK to point that out, as long as we don’t lose sight of the plank in our own eye.

12. The Gory Details

Goes into great detail about something incredibly gross or personal, like a recent surgery or explosive illness. Also could include pictures. “We could admire the iron in our toilet bowl.” Some of your readers — especially those who don’t know you well — will not know what to make of this.

13. The Bait and Switch

Teases you with the promise of a great story but instead gets sidetracked with related but unimportant details. “So we landed in [the city], got in a van and rode out to join the teen camp that was starting the next day. 10 days later, we took part in the English camp. The time at the camp definitely got us back into life here quickly.”

The problem here isn’t that they are telling us about this great camp, but that they actually aren’t telling us about it at all. Something fascinating probably happened between when you rode a van and when you returned to normal life, so focus on that.

Now, I understand that there are special situations where a newsletter like those above would be appropriate. But those should be the exception to the rule, not common practice.

If you found yourself on the list, never fear! There are a few, simple solutions to help you help your newsletters.

Know your audience. Think about what they want to read and what kind of knowledge they do or do not have about where you are serving. Think about what questions they have and answer them. Treat them as a partner in ministry.

Focus on ministry. Don’t just tell us what you do. Show us with a story. And keep ministry stories front and center — don’t bury them at the end of the newsletter.

Stay balanced. Support updates, family news and cultural tidbits are great when kept in balance. Don’t let them take over the entire newsletter.

Write regularly. Be consistent in sending out your newsletter. Regular, short updates are better than once a year, long updates.

Vent only to close friends. Everyone struggles sometimes. Your newsletter is not the right place to hash it out. Find some people you can talk to and pour your heart out to them. Then when it comes to your newsletter, you can still keep your supporters informed, but they don’t need to know all the details.

I know you have wonderful stories to tell, and I am anxious to read them. Hopefully, these suggestions will help your audience find, read and connect with those stories so they can engage more fully in your ministry.

Hospitality, Help, and the Hope of the Gospel

By Suzanne Pearson • 16 Apr, 2024
TEAM Canada provides warm welcome and trusted friendships for diaspora populations living far from their native countries. As TEAM Canada workers Peter and Ruth (names changed) drive from their home to a nearby community center, they pass numerous apartment buildings and townhouses. Most of the families who live there are immigrants. They’ve left their countries of origin due to political unrest, trauma, and other difficulties. They’ve left family, friends, homes, jobs, and personal wealth behind. They search for peace, justice for the oppressed, and rest from fear and weariness. And as they adjust to a new country and a new language, they are often very isolated from others around them. “The sad reality is most immigrants are never even invited inside a Canadian home,” says Ruth. Peter and Ruth and their team try to change that reality. For the last nine years, the team, which includes workers from partner organizations as well as volunteers, has held English classes at the community center. Three days a week, over 60 students from more than 20 countries come together to learn English as well as to fellowship together and receive practical help in assimilating to a new normal. Meeting Needs and Building Trust That practical help may come in the form of procuring furniture, clothes, or dishes for newcomers, assistance with creating a resume and finding a job, or teaching people how to navigate Canadian laws and the medical system. As these tangible needs are met, relationships are built. “We invite them into our homes for meals and games,” Ruth shares. “We take them on hiking trips, picnics, outings, and out for coffee.” This is particularly important in this type of ministry because most immigrants come to Canada from cultures that value hospitality. Conversely, Canadians do not typically prioritize hospitality and consequently many newcomers feel lonely and isolated. Inviting folks to various gatherings and outings allows the team to spend extended time hearing people’s stories, struggles, hopes, and dreams. When she speaks about building friendships, Ruth’s heart for the people she serves is evident. “Hearing their stories, it’s easy to love them, and many have become close friends,” Ruth says. “We recognize the value of steady one-on-one relationships.”

Meet TEAM’s Next International Director – Part 2: A Vision for the Future

By Suzanne Pearson • 19 Mar, 2024
Previously on the TEAM blog, we sat down with Justin Burkholder (pictured above at left, with TEAM's Executive Director of Communications, Aaron Catlin). Justin will become TEAM’s next International Director on July 1, 2024. Justin shared about his background, family, and the journey that led him to TEAM. Check out that interview here . Today, we pick up the conversation as Justin shares how God called him to the role of International Director, and what he sees for the next chapter in TEAM’s work in the global Church. Q: How and when did you first consider applying for the position of International Director? How did the Lord reveal Himself to you as this opportunity presented itself? A: For some time, I have been evaluating how God wants me to use the gifts He has given me. Jenny and I have had a fruitful ministry in church planting in Guatemala and would happily continue doing so as God leads. However, as God blessed my efforts in TEAM leadership, there were friends and family who expressed that I should consider using my gifts in the International Director role. I don’t believe that everything necessarily rises and falls on leadership, but I do believe that it is a core component in the body of Christ. Using the gifts God has given me is a way that I want to bless the body of Christ in TEAM, making my contribution to the global purposes of God’s mission. Jenny and I spent a lot of time praying about this and decided that I should put my name in for consideration, trusting God’s guidance. We had a tremendous amount of peace throughout the entire process and were blessed by the prayer-filled process that the board undertook. Q: This is a key role in a large and complex organization, and I’m sure this was a big decision for you and your family. What were your fears or concerns? Why did you ultimately decide to accept the position? A: You say “were” like the fears have passed! I still am quite aware of my youth and inexperience - of the responsibility and weight of this role. Mostly, I’m afraid of leading an organization like TEAM in the flesh. Many of the fears that I have faced have been fears rooted in fleshly desires and concerns. I have no desire to succeed in the world’s eyes and fail in the Kingdom of Jesus. Why did I ultimately decide to accept the position? I’m convinced that the Good News about Jesus is true. The tomb is empty, Jesus is King, and the world needs to know, because Jesus is coming back. He will put things in order. He will establish righteousness, peace, and justice for all mankind, and He has commissioned His Church to proclaim and demonstrate His rule and reign. I want to use my gifts to do whatever I can to amplify the proclamation of this message and the multiplication of His Church around the world. Q: What are your goals and vision for the future of TEAM? A: This is something that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. I’m certainly not ready to present a fully-shaped vision and goals for TEAM’s future without the input of other people in different contexts in TEAM. But, I will share a few things that I think are important: First, we need to model God-Dependence . I am hopeful that as leaders in TEAM, we can continue to model God-Dependence. As Hudson Taylor said years ago “…God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” I am hopeful that we can increase our sense of faith in God, prayer, and seeking direction from the Spirit. Secondly, we must strengthen our relational fabric . Due to the changes that we have experienced by decentralizing our home office functions, and the challenges from the pandemic, we have experienced a loss of relationships. It is imperative that we intentionally prioritize the building of relationships with one another. I plan to visit our workers and staff, and I am expectant that other key leaders and staff will be doing the same. Third, we must pursue the greater presence of the global Church. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ doesn’t look like any single geopolitical, ethnic, or racial culture. If we want to truly see the Kingdom of Jesus come on earth as it is in heaven, then we as citizens of this Kingdom must learn from one another, submit to one another, and grow with one another. The missional potential of the global Church has been unleashed by God’s Spirit since Acts 1, and we have an opportunity to learn from many brothers and sisters in Christ who can help us to better model and proclaim the Kingdom of Jesus to those who have yet to believe. Lastly, we must increase our Gospel boldness . There are still many places of great spiritual blindness and spiritual brokenness around the world. The apostolic impulse of cross-cultural organizations should call us to the to the edges of where the Kingdom of Jesus is not penetrating. Whether spiritual blindness and brokenness exists because of lack of access, idolatry, injustice, or any other myriad of reasons, I prayerfully hope to see more and more TEAM workers continue to move into spaces of great Gospel need.
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