Ask people what are the top 5 things needed for a healthy marriage, and most will include good communication on their list.
Ask people what are the top 5 aspects of a great friendship, and good communication will probably be mentioned there too.
Ask people what are the top 5 components of a good business partnership, and again, you’re probably going to hear good communication in that context as well.
Good communication is essential for any kind of a healthy relationship.
When we love someone – genuinely want what’s best for them – we seek to listen and understand them. We also make ourselves vulnerable by sharing a piece of ourselves.
Of course, we don’t always love with our communication. Sometimes we use our words to criticize, manipulate, make demands and try to get what we want and don’t listen at all.
It’s not just business, it’s personal
Most of us understand this when it comes to personal relationships, but it’s also true in the relationship we have with our readers, church members, clients, students, and everyone we communicate with.
I want to challenge us not to think of them as our “audience” but as individual people, who Jesus has told us to… “Love one another. As I have loved you…”
… in our newsletters
… in our social media
… in our videos
… in our verbal announcements
… in our blog posts
Because every act of communication is an opportunity to love.
What do you think?
- Do you think of your communications primarily as a means to accomplish your objectives or as an opportunity to love others? Explain.
- How do you seek to love, listen, encourage and help others through your communication?
I appreciate you reading this and any thoughts you might share in the comments. 🙂
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.
2 Comments
For me is hard sometimes to communicate with others as i spend most of my time working on the computer and it definitely have a negative impact in my personal business, would be great to read something like 5 ways to engage and communicate with people online
Hi Javier, good idea… 1) comment on blog posts… 🙂
Seriously, though, I appreciate your comment and I think you're on the right track by taking the initiative to connect and engage with people who you share something in common with.