A couple of years ago I was sitting around the house with my son pulling up different videos of comedians on YouTube. Since Jackson is into baseball I thought he would enjoy “Who’s on first” by Abbott and Costello. This particular skit has to be one of the funniest if not the funniest routines I have ever watched. I thought Jackson just might split a seam as he was laughing so hard. After the clip was over he wanted to watch it again.
Costello wants to know the names of the players on the field. If he knows the names of the players then he can greet them personally should he run into the players on the streets. Abbott, the manager, starts the conversation out by saying “Who’s on first, What’s on second, and I Don’t Know is on third base”. Of course the names do not improve as the left fielder is “Why”, the pitcher is “Tomorrow”, and the catcher is “Today”. After some confusion Costello lays out a scenario, which happens to be correct, and fails to understand what he has just said. Somewhere along the course of this confusing conversation the listener may be thinking that Abbott ought to write everything down for Costello. An even better way could be using first and last names. Costello might make the connection that these are the names of the players and not evasive answers from Abbott. To quote the line from Cool Hand Luke, “What we got here is a failure to communicate”. Ever feel this way in the church?
Communication in the church comes across as a comedy routine. One person is asking questions, another is answering the questions, but the connection between the two parties doesn’t exist. When communications break down frustrations eventually start to surface. In the skit by Abbott and Costello I can sense the frustrations of Costello as he feels the answers are saying a whole lot of nothing. Unfortunately, when breakdowns in the church occur, it is not laughter that ensues but frustration then anger then members leaving to go elsewhere. What may have been seen as a promising witness from the church, instead will eventually see the body of Christ cease to exist.
What can we, Church of the Palms, do to avoid communication breakdowns? If and when breakdowns do occur, how can we deal with them in a most positive manner that is reflective of a Christ-like attitude? Robert Bolton lays out some keys to effective communication in his book People Skills. 1) Be genuine. Educate ones elf on issues in order to see the whole picture. This leads to formulating opinions or thoughts yet we share our feelings responsibly. 2) Non-possessive love. We may not like a person yet we love that person anyway. When we love a person unconditionally the anxiety we experience in disagreements seems to go away. Loving without terms or conditions does not mean we develop favorites but is an expression of respect for another person. Unconditional love is the love most likely to be reciprocated by others. 3) Empathy. Put ourselves in someone else’s shoes to gain a better understanding of what that person is thinking or experiencing. Rather than dismissing another person’s thoughts we actually communicate we care about them.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Attitude is everything. While I do not have the answers to solving all the issues we will face in our church I do know together we will overcome those difficult times. As long as we continue to seek God nothing will be too great that cannot be overcome. I look forward to a long and prosperous ministry as we stand side by side witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_gSWTQKE-0
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