And after Paul and
Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and
some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the
elders about this question . . . The apostles and elders were gathered together
to consider this matter . . . And all the assembly fell silent, and they
listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related the signs and wonders God had
done through them among the Gentiles (15:2, 6, 12).
The congregational meeting. Tension is in the air. We are gathered to discuss church business, perhaps
a serious doctrinal dispute, proposed future plans, motions to open or close,
hire or fire, build or repair. This is
not the ethereal side of church --- songs of praise, flowery speech, feel-good
spirituality. No, now we talk about nuts
and bolts, steel and girders, labor and sweat, dollars and cents -- numbers!
All this collides with wishes and desires, pet projects,
dearly held opinions, and the fragile egos behind them. Not only that, but congregational alliances
and fissures, friendships and offenses past are all on the table.
Will this lethal mix propel us forward into a new direction,
a future of hope and accomplishment, or explode like one of Wilbur Wright’s
early planes, crashing to the ground and sabotaging us all before we go
anywhere? Will a misplaced word, an
angry outburst –like a match to gasoline -- engulf us in an inferno? This and memories of failed efforts at open
dialogue in the past create a gnawing apprehension. What to do?
Many churches dispense with this broad public effort at
communication altogether. Others diffuse
(or is de-fuse?) them through internet surveys and less visible methods of
communication. Can the public
deliberation be done well? And is the
benefit equal to the risk? On the other
hand, what is the price of silence? More
silence?
Here are some simple thoughts.
The effort to improve congregational communication increases
transparency. Transparency regarding
numbers, plans, concerns and problems promotes trust. Trust is the basis of a community’s
confidence. Confidence is the basis of
faith – con fides – with faith! Collective confidence is an irresistible
force for good and accomplishment in the faith community. It is a sine
qua non (essential ingredient) of vital church life!
Open, public communication must be managed if it is to be
healthy and effective. It is the job of
the stewards of the house (the elders or governing council) to protect the
household from an abuse of the communication process. That requires prescience, thought
beforehand. It means preparation. It means pre-communication. It means
rehearsing or planning the purpose of the meeting, its agenda, and desired
outcomes.
What do we get out of this effort? Sunshine kills darkness – hidden agendas,
well-nursed grudges, murmuring spirits. But unfiltered sunlight burns, brings deep discomfort, festering cancer, sitting
like a time bomb hidden in plain sight on the surface of the skin. To return to the metaphor of flight, well or
poorly managed communication is the difference between a crash on take-off and
the world changing marvel of successful flight. By overcoming every obstacle
and the law of gravity it opens a new era of confidence and accomplishment.
Prescient thought and preparation require a defined agenda,
a clearly defined purpose, advance notice to all participants, competent,
prepared presenters, and a clear understanding of the purpose and parameters of
public input. Of course, it can still go
wrong. On the other hand we might burst
into flight!
For it has seemed good
to the Holy Spirit and to us . . .! (Acts 15:28).
