Get It From The Source

There is a game you might have played when you were younger, called Telephone. One person whispers something fairly long and complicated in another person's ear - maybe something like, "I stepped on a Corn Flake, now I'm a Cereal Killer." Then, the person you whispered to, whispers it to someone else, and then that person does the same, and so on and so on. By the time you get to the last person, the saying is usually completely different. Maybe something like, "My sister eats lots of cereal." The original sentence has been twisted and completely lost its meaning. This game was really fun when we were kids. Unfortunately, as adults sometimes the information we share becomes just as distorted in real life.

We have to be very careful in how we communicate because words hold great power to both lift up and to tear down. When the words we share have either lost their original meaning and intention by passing through too many people or have been intentionally twisted, we find ourselves in loads of trouble. We may be thinking, well why would someone intentionally twist someone's words? Well, I can think of a couple of reasons. First, someone may wish to twist or distort the truth in order to hurt someone or bolster their own beliefs and opinions. Second, someone may just not have all the correct facts, which causes even the initial message to be distorted. Third, they might just simply misunderstand… and the more people the message passes through, the more distorted it becomes. 

It is very dangerous when this starts to happen in an organization, a family, or even a church. When messages get distorted, our ministries, our relationships, and our bonds of trust in one another suffer. So how can we keep this from happening? There are two ways. 1. Don't share information with others that you have not verified for yourself. And how do you verify it? You go to the person who has knowledge in that area. Here at the church, I would offer this example. Is the disturbing information that is being shared with you financial? Well, Mary Olson, our Chair of the Finance Committee, or Pastor Madeline, would be able to answer your questions. Is the information you are hearing related to decisions being made by leaders in the church? Well, Kathy Winters, Chair of Church Council, or Pastor Madeline, would have that knowledge. Is what's being discussed related to church staff? Liz Yongue, the Chair of our Staff Parish Relations Committee, is your contact for that. 2. And, in reality, I have an even better suggestion. If you are hearing someone express concern about something and you don't have the facts, why not suggest they talk personally to the person who does have the facts?

My friends, I have office hours listed in the bulletin. If you have any questions or wish to chat, all you need to do is reach out to Heather in the office (during office hours) and she will make an appointment for you to meet with me. If you need to meet outside my office hours, let me know and we will work it out. I am sure all of our other leaders are also willing to chat with you anytime! The easiest way to ensure accurate information is to go directly to the source and have a loving, Christ-centered conversation! 

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29)

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)

Grace and Peace 

-Pastor Madeline

***And Remember - WE > ME!