Conversation Management Update
Our Text Messaging Platform is a powerful tool, allowing us not only to share the Gospel, but to walk with guests for extended periods. We have made changes to how these conversations should be managed and you are part of a small team of Responders who will be impacted by this.
As technology becomes more available, and younger people have greater access to mobile devices, the ministry has seen the need to change how we manage Text Messaging Conversations.
We continue to see the number of conversations that come to the ministry via text messages growing. We also recently entered into a new partnership with several billboard companies nationwide that will be putting up simple messages encouraging people to reach out to us via text message to learn more about Jesus.
In light of all this, we have enhanced our Terms of Service for conversations, but these do not automatically appear for guests using text messaging. This means we need to make a clear statement at the outset of the conversation to protect both Responders and the Ministry.
This Special Training Update is being sent to Responders who can engage in conversations that come to the ministry through text message.
Please review the updates below and know that you can find more training assistance in our Responder Training Portal.
UNDERSTANDING THE SOURCES OF TEXT CONVERSATIONS
Text Messaging Conversations come from multiple sources, but they are all identified in ECHO by the mobile phone logo. We receive text messages from our Need Him / Ministry Partner toll-free numbers, as well as the JESUS short code (53787) the ministry has.
Some JESUS texts may also be intended for people named Jesus or those voicing a prayer through their mobile device. These are NOT spam and should be viewed as a great opportunity to share.
STARTING A TEXT CONVERSATION
Regardless of how someone comes to text us, to protect ourselves, we should properly introduce the Ministry and ourselves with a simple introduction as follows:
JESUS Texts - “Hi, you actually sent your text to JESUS and have reached a Christian ministry here to share hope. My name is _____ and I would love to hear your story and talk BUT also want to respect your privacy and not engage with minors on inappropriate or sensitive topics. Feel free to message back if you want to talk and are at least 18 y/o or have parental permission to talk.”
Texts to ministry toll-free numbers - “Hi, you have reached needhim.org. We are a Christian ministry here to share the hope found only in Jesus. My name is _____ and I would love to hear your story and talk BUT also want to respect your privacy and not engage with minors on inappropriate or sensitive topics. Feel free to message back if you want to talk and are at least 18 y/o or have parental permission to talk.”
[Both Intros are available in the ECHO Resources: NHG - TEXT MESSAGING INTROS]
MANAGING TEXT CONVERSATIONS
Text Messaging Conversations are not as time-sensitive as an online chat or phone call. These can be responded to throughout your time online and can even take place over days or weeks. When you initially pick up a Text Messaging Conversation, you must “Claim” it for it to remain in your conversations.
Let these conversations breathe as some people may start the text but not respond to you for hours or even the next day.
CLOSING TEXT CONVERSATIONS
There is no need to close text conversations quickly. They should be managed with a longer timeframe in mind. Ask questions to get people to respond or engage if there has been a lull. Let these conversations breathe and give the seeker at least 24 hours to respond.
The goal is to manage each conversation to a natural ending much as you would with an online chat. However, regardless if the seeker responds or not, we should always make sure the Gospel has been shared. This means sharing a Gospel presentation even with those who never respond after their initial text. Every text message should result in a Gospel Presentation before it is closed and the result recorded as such. The example below is one way to close out a conversation that has ended before the Gospel is shared:
Text Messaging Closing - "You may have decided not to talk but make no mistake that Jesus loves you and wants to be part of your life. We are here to share the good news ... that we can each be forgiven and reconciled back to God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. You can learn more and talk with us any time at www.chataboutjesus.com I will be closing this now so goodbye and God bless."
For more information and tips on managing Text Messaging Conversations, you can look at our Training Article - How to Handle Text Conversations here:
Thank you for being such an important part of Need Him Global bringing the Good News to a world that desperately needs it.
