You can’t assume anything
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4 responses to “You can’t assume anything”
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Made this comment on your facebook as well…. This has been something that has been hitting me as well. Being a non-denom/interdenominational/baptist/holy-spirit-filled/ecumenical/post-modern-liberal/orthodox/Christian working at a Lutheran church that was ELCA, not NALC & LCMC a part of the fivetwo network, ReVeal Willow Creek, and CORE…. and we wonder why people are so darn confused about what the heck any of that above even means!
I try to remind our staff that what we know and hold to be ‘true’ is pretty pointless and unimportant to the masses (even in our own context of gathering). But they seem to not want to acknowledge it, because for them acknowledging it means we might have to do something different, break out of our comfort zone….
Its hard being out in the community engaging people to come join our gathering to have them hear words that make them go “Wait ecu-what? Sacramental? Is that a brain disease?” I know the beauty behind these things, because as you said I see the big picture, but we are so focused on our programs and our agenda we don’t help folks see beyond the alphabet soup we call Christendom
(ps….not sure why its posting from this account, but oh well 🙂
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It’s really interesting to come across this post this week. Just last Tuesday my leaders and I had a fascinating discussion about assumptions and how they can really alienate students. Saying things like, “I know you guys know the story of…” can really make people feel stupid.
I do have one pushback though. I was really going hardcore down the path of “messages in monologue format don’t work” about a year ago. I was ready to completely overhaul how we do things then on three separate occasions three very different types of students shared detailed points with me from messages I had given several months to years ago. These were unsolicited comments and all three students had shared this with me to point out what an impact my words had on them. They had no idea I was struggling with this. Really, the only thing these students had in common is I had assumed that these three students were all checking out. I was shocked. My pushback is that we shouldn’t assume students are not learning. Perhaps, all assumptions should go out the window and we should just simply ask more questions.
I do agree however that we should spend more time discussing and less time talking at students. Couldn’t agree more with you on that. I’m just not ready to say students can’t and don’t learn from someone sharing a few thoughts with them from a stage. Less is more for sure, but since those discussions more and more evidence has surfaced in my ministry that short, honest messages from the stage followed up by an opportunity to wrestle with it is having a lasting impact. Are they remembering every word or point? No. Is it having an impact? Yes.
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
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Just passing this ‘conversation’ your way.
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/videos-for-pastors/156543-mastered-by-the-gospel.html -
[…] You can’t assume anything. […]
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