If you are in ministry, you may not realize that much of your time is spent in advocation. Technically, the definition for advocation is pleading. You may be pleading with your students to obey God. Or for parents to teach their children what God wants them to know. Or for church members to volunteer in your ministry. Or for ministers, elders and deacons to openly support your ministry in some way.
Advocacy is a skill set that probably wasn’t taught to you unless you majored in social work, advertising, marketing or similar fields. I doubt anyone teaches it in ministry classes or education courses. Some people may be naturally good at advocacy, but most of us could use a little help in how to get our vital messages not only heard, but also heeded.
There are three keys to successful advocacy.
- Education. You may know why the thing you are advocating is important, but you need to assume that others either don’t understand at all or don’t have as thorough of an understanding as you do. Thinking about creative ways to educate people on the importance of what you are advocating is key to getting them to back you.
- Negotiation. I often call this “baby steps”. Can you break the big thing for which you are advocating into smaller bite sized pieces? For example, if your ultimate goal is to have parents teaching their kids about God at least 30 minutes a day, perhaps you can start by encouraging them to buy a family devotional book or find a Bible reading plan. Then focus on getting them to do one 30 minute block a week and increase it from there. People are more likely to comply to baby steps than gigantic leaps. In other cases, you may have to engage in straightforward negotiation. There are lots of great books and guides you can read to make you a more effective negotiator.
- Persuasion. I will admit that this one is often the toughest. Sometimes, even education and breaking it down into bite sized pieces isn’t enough. There are people who are firmly convinced you are wrong or “over reacting”. They will have to be persuaded to do what you are calling them to do. Motivation can be tough. There are probably bookshelves full of books on the topic. Motivation can also take time if you have a lot of people who need motivating. Focus on developing intrinsic motivation rather than external. Rewards and incentives can help, but studies have found they are of little use long term. If you can find ways to help people motivate themselves, they are more likely to stay motivated to help.
Whether you like it or not, you are an advocate. Taking the time to develop advocacy skills can make you a more impactful one.