{"id":31526,"date":"2022-09-10T15:33:49","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:33:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/4-reasons-your-ministry-depends-on-effective-communication\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:33:49","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:33:49","slug":"4-reasons-your-ministry-depends-on-effective-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/4-reasons-your-ministry-depends-on-effective-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Reasons Your Ministry Depends on Effective Communication"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Negative Space photo – Pexels<\/div>\n

By Chandler Vannoy<\/em><\/p>\n

In Doris Kearns Goodwin\u2019s book Leadership in Turbulent Times<\/em>, she documents the leadership of four United States presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR).<\/p>\n

FDR\u2019s presidency was the longest tenured by any U.S. president and spanned over some of the most pivotal years in U.S. history, including the Great Depression, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the decision to enter World War II.<\/p>\n

One of the sections of the book focuses on Roosevelt\u2019s \u201cFireside Chats.\u201d During the depression years of the 1930s, these chats were used by President Roosevelt to communicate with the American people.<\/p>\n

He delivered these speeches to the nation to help share progress on how the government was working to overcome the bank crisis and boost morale. These chats were unlike any other presidential addresses.<\/p>\n

FDR took to the radio to give an update to the nation in an informal and conversational tone. He did away with the eloquent speeches normally heard from the White House.<\/p>\n

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Instead, according to History.com, FDR \u201ctook care to use the simplest possible language, concrete examples, and analogies in the fireside chats, so as to be clearly understood by the largest number of Americans. He began many of the nighttime chats with the greeting, ‘My friends,’ and referred to himself as ‘I’ and the American people as ‘you’ as if addressing his listeners directly and personally.”<\/p>\n

As the book was explaining the effect these fireside chats had on the country, I couldn\u2019t help but think how important communication is to any organization\u2014especially churches.<\/p>\n

In the same way FDR led through uncertainty, church leaders are constantly dealing with change and complexity.<\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s not on the same national scale, but our mission of making disciples is of even greater importance. Eternity is at stake. So here are four lessons we can learn about communication in church leadership from FDR.<\/p>\n

1. When there is silence, assumptions are made. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

If there\u2019s a lack of communication, people tend to assume the worst. In FDR\u2019s case, the nation assumed no work was being done to resolve the bank crisis issue because they weren\u2019t hearing anything.<\/p>\n

In reality, the opposite was true. Nimble work was being done to put together a plan. FDR saw a need to fill in the gap for the nation so wrong assumptions wouldn\u2019t perpetuate.<\/p>\n

Our churches need the same thing from pastors and other ministry leaders. We need to communicate quickly and often, even if the information we\u2019re sharing isn\u2019t \u201cfinal.\u201d Those we lead want to hear that we\u2019re making progress.<\/p>\n

For example, if you\u2019re in the beginning stages of putting together a plan to resolve a parking issue that is frustrating many, share that church leadership recognizes the issue and is working quickly to address it.<\/p>\n

Silence creates a gap that is easily filled with false assumptions. Close the gap by communicating progress, no matter how big or small.<\/p>\n

2. The complex can be made simple through effective communication. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

FDR was challenged with one of the most complex issues our nation has ever faced. While trying to save the nation from the Great Depression, he was learning new financial terminology and bank processes every day.<\/p>\n

But he couldn\u2019t get on the radio and use these complicated descriptions. He had to put it into a format everyone would understand. He had to use plain language to explain complex issues and programs.<\/p>\n

In our churches and ministries, we aren\u2019t having to explain how the stock market works, but we can easily assume everyone understands our internal jargon.<\/p>\n

When we communicate, we need to put it through the filter of someone who has never been to our church and doesn\u2019t know all the details and acronyms.<\/p>\n

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See also  The Group Most Likely to Still Be Missing From Your Church<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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We need to share the progress that is taking place but clarify all that’s confusing. Complexity leads to confusion. Simplicity leads to clarity.<\/p>\n

3. Constant and clear communication boosts morale.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In a nation as large as America, it\u2019s easy for success stories and positive momentum to never be heard by the majority. This is true for us today, but even more so in FDR\u2019s time when there was no internet or social media.<\/p>\n

News traveled much slower then. This means during the time of the Great Depression, no news meant bad news. This is exactly why his fireside chats gave a morale boost: the nation heard progress was being made.<\/p>\n

Were all their troubles going to be taken care of overnight? No, of course not. But their pain was noticed. The same goes for our ministries. As church leaders, it’s easy for us to put our heads down and neglect moments we should be sharing.<\/p>\n

When Sunday is on the horizon, it\u2019s hard to slow down and share the wins happening right in front of us. In turn, our volunteers and staff will miss them as well.<\/p>\n

Build in time for win-sharing. Add a 15-minute huddle on Sundays for service teams or create a \u201cWins of the Week\u201d email you send out.<\/p>\n

Here are just a few examples:<\/p>\n