Outcomes Audio

When Crisis HitsYour response becomes your story.What many Christian nonprofits haven't prepared for is what happens when someone else starts telling your story for you. A crisis is, among other things, a challenge to authorship that introduces a competing version of your organization’s story.Nathan Burchfiel is a senior vice president at the strategic communications firm Pinkston, where he leads the crisis communications practice. A former journalist and ordained deacon, he advises the executives, boards, and legal counsel of Christian nonprofits and churches through reputational crisis. Learn more at www.pinkston.co/crisis-communications.

Your Website Tells Your StoryDon’t make your visitors work to understand it.Every organization has a story, and your website needs to tell it well. For most donors, a website is the validation visit: the first stop and often the last word before someone decides to give, volunteer, or walk away.Mike Lenda is Chief Relationship Officer at 5by5 Agency, a full-service marketing agency serving changemakers. He leads the client experience team focused on driving growth for purpose-driven organizations through research, brand strategy, digital, public relations, and creative services. Learn more at 5by5agency.com.

The Greatest StoryWitnessing the gospel at work through the local church.If you truly want to understand Compassion, you have to understand the local church. The church is where the gospel is lived, taught, embodied, and extended. It’s where people are known by name, where poverty is confronted with courage, and where transformation unfolds through the saving grace of Christ.Tim Glenn is the Director of Global Public Relations for Compassion International, where he has served for 22 years. Before joining Compassion, Tim spent 14 years in television news as an award-winning producer and anchor. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Colorado Springs with their two sons, Morgan and Grayson. You can contact Tim at [email protected]

Hidden Under a BowlWhy we know our story matters — and still won't tell it.The organizations most convinced that storytelling matters are often the very ones least likely to do it. This is not a skills problem. Nobody needs another workshop on the anatomy of a good narrative. Our sector suffers from a knowing-doing gap. Until we name what holds us back, we will keep nodding along at conferences and driving home to say nothing.James Misner is founder of The Kipos Group, which helps leaders of direct-service nonprofits raise more money through strategic, story-driven fundraising. He has spent 25 years helping mission-driven organizations turn their impact into sustainable revenue. Reach him at [email protected].

The Leadership Story You Should TellSharing how God formed you as a leaderEvery leader has a story. Not the polished version we think we should have because we watched other successful leaders. Not the version we post because it sounds impressive or garners favor. The real story—the one that explains why we lead the way we do.Tricia Bell has more than twenty years of experience in the corporate setting, primarily dealing with legal, compliance, and operations issues. In her current role as Chief Risk and Legal Officer for Christian Care Ministry, she leads the legal, procurement, compliance, and public relations/affairs teams. Tricia is from Ohio, lives in Michigan, and is a proud alumnus of Ohio State University. She obtained her law degree from Capital University Law School in Columbus. Tricia is also a board member for Global Christian Relief.