ICCM '96 Session

"Report on Mission Information Specialist Consultation"

Ferne Weimer - Billy Graham Center

Primary Goal of the Consultation

To establish a working organizational structure for librarians, information specialists, and their resource centers to more effectively support and serve the mission of the church of Jesus Christ in efforts to fulfill the Great Commission of reaching all people(s) with His gospel.

Secondary Goals:

to establish relationships with like-minded believers interested in world evangelization
to gain some understanding of the variety of perspectives/experiences represented in the broader Body of Christ
to be open and honest in raising and discussing concerns and sensitive issues
to seek a clear consensus in making recommendations for further action
to be actively considering what task/challenge you can personally lead and/or strongly support.

Potential Benefits

The potential benefits of forming and developing an organization of librarians and information specialists supporting world evangelization.

The attendees were divided into three groups:

creators/distributors
providers (librarians and information specialists), and
users

All three groups supported these benefits:

provide a credible, resource base from which to make informed, research-based decisions
reduce unnecessary duplication of effort

Two out of the three groups supported the following benefits:

serve the global church with relevant, accurate information
provide access to highly relevant, unpublished material

Additional benefits supported by a specific group were:

(P) approach world evangelization more comprehensively /holistically
(C) assist smaller organizations which lack research staff and materials
(U) encourage collaborative projects
(P) assist in educating and training new leaders
(P) improve quality of critical evaluation process

C = Creators/Distributors P = Providers U = Users

Ratings of Potential Risks/Hazards

Very significant factor which may doom effort to failure
Important factor which must be dealt with to assure success
Important factor BUT outside the primary focus of this consultation
Insignificant factor which can be easily overcome

Most Significant Risks to be Overcome:

(1-2) inability to function effectively in a cooperative network due to time constraints and higher priorities within own organization
(2) potential arguments over ownership of information
(2) need for standards/ongoing structures to assure that information will be updated frequently enough
(2) need for quality control/ accountability for distributing reliable information which has been cited accurately and attributed correctly to its originating source

Less Significant Risks:

(2-3) security implications of unrestricted access to information
(2-3) add to glut of unfiltered data
(2/4) focus too narrowly on electronic/ computer access to information sources
(2/4) limit discussion/problem solving to the understanding/ perspectives of too few regions of the world or cultures within the Body of Christ
(3-4)no guarantees that strategies would not overlap
(3-4) unhelpful emphasis on the completion of "the task"

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