Communication:
Communication “ Communication is the work in which we engage to arrive at an understanding between ourselves and other people about mutual needs and goals. It is the interchange of thought or information to bring about mutual understanding in confidence or good human relations.” In many cases, informal communication, which includes body language, emotions, and the context of communication, is more powerful than formal communication. Communication must include "the exchange of facts and information, the expression of attitudes and values, and the provision of warmth, acceptance, and support of others” (Welch 2005, 30).
Communication and Church Leadership:
Communication and Church Leadership “Effective leadership requires a broad-based communication process.” Principles for effective communication include clarity, attention, integrity, and strategic use of the informal organizations within the congregation (Welch 2005, 30). A plainly stated mission, as well as clear statements and resource provision, “provides pastors, staff, and congregational members the necessary accountability and motivation, feelings of integrity and trust in the church, and a means by which to make future decisions” (McKenna and Eckard 2009, 312).
Communication and Servant Leadership in the Life of Christ:
Communication and Servant Leadership in the Life of Christ As followers of Christ, we should strive to lead as Jesus did which was clearly servant leadership. Jesus had an intimate relationship with His disciples. He respected them and helped prepare them to be confident and competent leaders. When studying Christ’s relationships with His disciples and His servant leadership, it becomes apparent that communication plays a huge role in both leadership and administration. In Lead Like Jesus , Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges discuss what true servant leadership involves and the importance of communication. Communicating a compelling vision and a picture of the future to the congregation Defining and modeling the values, structure, and behavior expected from individuals Maintain an environment of enablement and supporting those who have responsibilities to serve Respecting everyone and encouraging their growth and development Jesus made it clear why He came, what His good news was, and what He wanted people to do. His life was the perfect example of servant leadership ( Blanchard and Hodges 2005, 113-114).
Examples of Church Communication:
Examples of Church Communication Church communication can involve church administrators and leaders, members of the congregation, and/or individuals or groups outside of the church as necessary. Deacon meetings are examples of communication among church leaders. These less public forms of communication are necessary to help keep the church growing and maturing. As discussed in Lead Like Jesus, communication between the pastor and the entire congregation is important. The pastor is responsible for creating a vision and presenting it in such a way that the church can create a mission and act on it. The church must have a picture of the future and be motivated to carry out this vision (Blanchard and Hodges 2005, 113-114). Pastors and/or church leaders and administrators keep the congregation up to date on changes within the church. An example of this would be a church business meeting where a new item of business, such as the church’s budget, would be presented or voted on. Church members communicate with one another. This may be done informally such as when a group of church members are talking with one another and the meeting was not organized by a church leader. It also may be done formally such as through a committee meeting. Church leaders also communicate with outside individuals and organizations when needed. An example of this would be when a food pantry is contacted and asked if there is a need for volunteers or donations from the church.
Bibliography:
Bibliography Blanchard, Ken and Phil Hodges. Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005. McKenna, Robert, and Katrina Eckard . "Evaluating Pastoral Effectiveness: To Measure or Not to Measure." Pastoral Psychology 58, no. 3 (June 2009): 303-313. Academic Search Premier , EBSCO host (accessed April 4, 2011). Welch, Robert. Church Administration. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2005.