Putting relationships first
As a Christian leader, in that location are three things I would want to nurture in my swain believers as they go about their occupations (whether paid or unpaid). The first is confidence to share their faith in appropriate and winsome ways. The 2nd is to think through how the good news of what God has done in Jesus might challenge and reshape the nature and goals of their occupation. But in between comes the job of living out the gospelwithin the parameters that are already given.
A key value here, in our largely monetarist economic system and individualist culture, is the importance and value of relationships. Matt Bird offers some great guidance on this in his bookRelationology with its supporting website and blog. Others have argued for the recovery of the importance of relationships in public and commercial life, well-nigh notably Michael Schluter of the Jubilee Centre in Cambridge, who had been the founder leader of the Keep Sunday Special campaign. For a while he set up the Relationships Foundation and wrote The R Choice which explored the importance of adept relationship in a range of contexts, as well asThe Relational Manager.
Matt Bird's book is rather different. Instead of arguing theoretically, it is intensely practical, with 101 brusque capacity of merely a folio or two. Each chapter offers a reflection on i aspect of either building, sustaining or growing relationships, and includes a story or anecdote, a summary sentence, and suggestions for practical action. If you are unfamiliar with the earth of concern relationships and networking, no doubt some of the language will jar with yous. At that place are sections on how to 'piece of work a room', on making a good entrance, engaging people in conversation, and how to movement on. Simply what is really fascinating is how this is interlaced with wise advice about what makes for potent relationships that accept integrity.
This means that Matt engages directly with some quite profound observations near authenticity and sincerity in relationships, and Christian readers will be able to trace this dorsum to Matt'south own Christian religion. Merely the ideas are presented in such a way as to be well integrated into the whole text, so would not grate for the average non-Christian reader. Some of the hitting observations include:
Compliment people: in general, people do not think of themselves equally highly as they should (p 32).
Authentic listening is really a gift rather than a learnt technique (p forty).
Existence vulnerable and putting yourself at risk says to the other person that yous trust them and that you desire to know them at a deeper, more meaningful level (p 46).
Existence your own unedited self won't simply change the style that people reply to y'all, it will change the way that you lot answer to them (p 95).
Integrity is what nosotros exercise when no one is looking (p 121).
Taking risks requires y'all to trust your instinct despite the presence of uncertainty (p 164).
You might recognise some of these insights. I think I spotted the influence of Simon Walker'sThe Undefended Leader at several points, and the comments on integrity owe something to the writing of Neb Hybels. Matt fifty-fifty managed to slip a quotation from the New Attestation at one bespeak, every bit a motto from 'an aboriginal writing'!
All this fabricated for a refreshing read. Matt hither offers united states of america something that can stand upwards with credibility inside his own context of business relationships—just offer something distinctly Christian within that, which volition be of apply in bringing something positive into that environs. Matt's own work is testimony to the effectiveness of prioritising relationships. Alongside his other business organisation interests, he is the founder of the Cinnamon Network, which enables churches and other organisations to have a positive impact on their own communities. In 2013 information technology was given a Big Society (remember that?!) award by Prime Minister David Cameron, who commented:
I'thousand pleased to be able to give The Cinnamon Network this Large Society Award in recognition of the huge difference they accept made across the country. From jobs clubs to street pastors, past supporting churches to address the nearly pressing issues in their neighbourhoods The Cinnamon Network is transforming communities for the improve.
But I wonder whether the focus on quality of relationships is something that churches and church leaders need to focus on also. It was an interesting experience for me to attend a meeting during the time I was readingRelationology and as I entered the room and engaged in conversation with various people to find myself recalling communication and comments from the book! Yet then many churches struggle with pastoral care and mission because leaders and key members practice non know how to form expert, honest, encouraging relationships, both within the congregation and with the customs beyond—or even betwixt leader(s) and congregation.
So do go concord of a copy, read information technology, laissez passer information technology on to someone else in your congregation—and encourage them to pass it on to someone they work with!
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