This document outlines a framework for situational security when communicating about ministry work. It defines five security levels based on how much information can be shared (reach) and the analyzed risk, from level 1 (lowest risk) to level 5 (highest risk). Each level provides definitions for how specific details, names, interviews, and approvals can be handled. The framework is based on biblical examples of how Jesus considered security and the situation when deciding how openly to communicate his works. The goal is to facilitate ministry while protecting security by taking a granular, case-by-case approach to communication decisions.

1. Situational Security
A Framework for
Security within Communications

2. The Ministry Communicator
• We are driven by two very
different passions:
– Communicate what is going on
in a compelling and exciting way
– See the Gospel go forward
unhindered
• These two passions come into
direct conflict when security
issues arise.

3. Situational Security:
The Biblical Basis
• When Jesus performed miracles he used great
wisdom in his instructions to those that he
healed. He told some to go to the Pharisees. To
others he asked for discretion.
• In Mark 7:
– Jesus travels to Tyre, Sidon and the region of
Decapolis.
– This area was settled by Gentiles/Hellenistic Jews.
– There Jesus healed a Syrophoenician woman and a
man who was both deaf and dumb.

4. The time was not right . . .
• Why the secrecy?
• Why did Jesus blatantly defy the Jewish rulers in
one instance and secretly heal in another?
• How was Jesus making these decisions?
– In Mark 7 the time was not right
– He operated on another reality that was much deeper
and more nuanced than simply yes/no.
• Jesus came to Israel and through his death
offered redemption for all. He left the expansion
of his grace beyond Israel for Peter and Paul to
pioneer.

5. The time was right . . .
• The Story of Lazarus (John 11)
– Lazarus was sick but Jesus did not go right
away
– Bethany was 2 miles from Jerusalem
– Jesus knew that healing Lazarus would mean
that the Pharisees would have to act
– Soon after Jesus went up for Passover and
his ultimate sacrifice

6. An Application . . .
Just as Jesus scrutinized his message and
his delivery based on the situation in
which he found himself . . .
. . . we must do the same!

7. Situational Security Defined
• Situational Security takes individual
ministry opportunities and reviews them
based on three criteria:
– the desired control of the story details
– the desired reach of the story
– the analyzed risk associated with the ministry
opportunity
“The truth is more important than the facts.”
Frank Lloyd Wright

8. Dynamic Tension
“Insane people are always sure that they are
fine. It is only the sane people who are
willing to admit that they are crazy.”
Nora Ephron
• Missions Communicators are
schizophrenic by nature
– Our call to engage the Church in God’s Work
– Our call to protect and facilitate ministry

9. The Power of Granularity
• Ministry is situational
– Every ministry opportunity is unique
– Every opportunity is in constant flux
• Granularity is hard work
– Generalities are simple but superficial
– Granularity requires a critical thinking process
• The impact of disciplined definition
– Details allow standards to guide decisions
– Details allow various parties to act decisively

10. The Framework Defined

11. Key Definitions
• Security Level: One of five levels that represents
the security of a given situation.
• Reach: Allows for the distinction between
information that can be shared in a controlled
environment vs. information that goes beyond
our control.
• Risk: The TRA Risk Rating defined by the Ezra
Risk Management Software (Crisis Consulting
International – www.cricon.org)

12. Situational Security
A Communications Framework
Security Color Security Level Reach Risk
Green Level 1 Local/Global
TRA Risk Rating
1-3
Yellow Level 2 Local/Global
TRA Risk Rating
4-13
Orange Level 3 Local/Global
TRA Risk Rating
14-49
Red Level 3 Local/Global
TRA Risk Rating
50-100
Black Level 5 Local/Global
TRA Risk Rating
100

13. Level 1
• Level 1 Defined
– All specifics are allowed
– Interviews do not need approval
– All names are allowed
– No prepping of staff necessary
– No partner approval
– Field staff can release updates

14. Level 2
• Level 2 Defined:
– Information is localized but only approved
specifics are used
– Interviews must be approved
– Global organization names allowed
– No local partner names can be used
– Staff involved must be prepped
– Partner approval of stories
– Global Communications releases all updates

15. Level 3
• Level 3 Defined:
– Information is nationalized with no specifics
– Interviews include only staff from our
organization
– No local partners or local descriptions used
– Staff involved must be prepped
– Partner approval of story
– Global Communications releases all updates

16. Level 4
• Level 4 Defined:
– Information is regionalized with no specifics
– No interviews
– No reference to partners
– Staff involved must be prepped
– Partner approval of story
– Global Communications releases all updates

17. Level 5
• Level 5 Defined:
– No information is shared