Word of Mouth

In many aspects of life, we tend to rely on the opinions and recommendations of others. Whether we’re deciding on which movie to see, or what book to pick off the shelf, or what restaurant to frequent, we check the reviews. Many establishments are now encouraging feedback through surveys or social media platforms – I received three requests this week for specific reviews!

We weigh these assessments differently when we consider them. We have a higher level of trust when feedback is coming from someone we trust – a friend or neighbour. Formalised reviews from experts (editorial assessments in trusted sources) bear a certain credence. We look at online reviews with a proverbial grain of salt, but consider the number of reviews and overall rating. And a generic ‘staff pick!’ in a store could really mean anything.

There are other reviews that filter into our decision-making: anonymous reviews. The comments from the person in line behind us in a coffee shop about a fabulous new boutique may inspire us to check it out; whereas overhearing a chat about a terrible restaurant may deter our patronage of that establishment.

And so, we are mindful to be aware of what we are saying, and where – and why! Knowing what we are trying to accomplish with our commentary can help us better understand what is going on.

Especially when we are giving our own reviews of the church. We know that society does not always look favourably upon the church; this can be increased if we are overheard voicing our concerns or criticisms out in public. A non-attendee lamenting over the numbers in the pews is unlikely to be inviting for a newcomer. A volunteer complaining on social media that their personal needs haven’t been met suggests a disconnected community. Etc.

We have the opportunity, instead, to use our word-of-mouth as an evangelistic tool. We can speak kindly about our experience: maybe the people at the next table will hear us discussing the sermon and our thoughts on the topic (without critiquing the preacher), and understand us as an engaging community. The folks behind us in the coffee line may hear of the outreach ministries, and be stirred to join in those good works. Sharing a social media post about ways to serve may reach out to an isolated person who is led to a supportive community.

We know that life is not perfect, and church is not perfect. Likewise, we are not perfect! But with a little bit of intentionality and care, we can use our reviews in helpful and constructive ways, that may be overheard or received by someone who is seeking to know a loving community that reflects the values and joy of a Christ-centered community.

Delayed!

I did some travel last week, and encountered a delay. It's not overly surprising, but for the first few minutes of re-scheduling I was feeling a little grumpy. (In my defense, this happened before 6am, and before coffee... ugh!)

We all know that hiccups are not rare occurrences in travel. So, once the delay was (easily) sorted and travel was rescheduled, I started making a Plan B for the day. It involved staying in bed a bit longer, having a relaxed breakfast, a lovely walk, and a visit to a museum. I had no need to rush, and was able to read my book over a leisurely coffee in a comfortable chair.

At the end of it all, I had a good day, and the travel still happened without any dire consequences.

Some of the other folks inconvenienced by the delay, however, were less pleased. And they were rather vocal about their displeasure – to anyone who would listen (or who was within 20 feet).

I obviously don't know their full stories, beyond what they were sharing publicly. No one expressed they were in emergency situations, just the legitimate inconvenience of an interruption.

I reflected on my choice from the delay. I’d had the choice to be grumpy, and stay grumpy – but that would benefit no one. I could have been miserable to the staff (who were not responsible for the delay) – and again, this would not help anyone’s mood.

Life happens – sometimes things go as we wish, sometimes they take us off course. Through it all, we have the choice of what we will do.

We can react, with an immediate result emerging before we’ve had time to think it through. This can often mean we react with strong emotions and little perspective; and it’s not always a constructive pathway.

Or we can respond, after we’ve taken a moment or two of calmness and consideration; when our focus is on the bigger picture and finding helpful solutions.

We never know what the outcome may be for the times our Plan As become Plan Bs; but we can choose how to face those changes; even finding joy in the unexpected. The effect of our choices may show a lot about ourselves and our values – to ourselves, and to the world around us.

Go Team!

I passed a statue this week (I enjoy public art; whether it's to any one's preference or not is irrelevant as it often elicits discourse and reaction.) 

The statue in question is a collection of individuals, playfully supporting one another in athletic ventures, almost acting like a human sphere. To me, it conveys a sense of motion, of connection, of trust, of collaboration. 

It was fitting I should notice it this week, as I was taking a short break from a project I was working on - a project that necessitated a fantastic team! 

On our team, we each have our role and responsibility, and are working in our specific field. It's a fantastic group of people, who have gone above and beyond in a short span of time to make things happen. 

It's a great team to be a part of! While some of the folks have never met each other, and may not cross paths in future, their efforts were just like that statue: holding up one another, working towards a common goal, trusting, being simultaneously supported and supportive. (As well as laughing in the process, and celebrating together!)

And in the background, we had other folks who had offered to help if we needed. And we were surrounded by praying folks keeping us uplifted to God's grace. (These are important components of the team!)

While it would be easy to credit just the individual skills and efforts of this dream team, our success was rooted in more than that. Because every person who was involved has done this in other teams, and will do it again. It's a fluid reality of being in healthy community.

For me, these folks have shared blessings more than I can describe. I give thanks to God for everything they have done (and will do in future!) 

This is how we build community: with trust and support, with the gifts that are surrounding us and willingly offered, with laughter and love - and with faith. 

Book Swap and Change

I had coffee with a friend last week, and our conversation turned to books. This is not uncommon for us; we’re both avid readers.

We had both recently finished books that had stayed with us – and as we were describing the basic outlines of the books (and why they had made an impact upon us), we both realised that the others’ book was not our normal reading genre.

So, naturally, a book swap followed!

I am about 2/3 through the borrowed book – it’s definitely a change from my normal go-to fiction! And it’s made me reflect on the positive benefits of branching out into new areas.

Trying new things help us to experience life in new ways, to alter our perspectives and frameworks. They can help us establish or build relationships, they evoke curiosity, they encourage us to try different skills and knowledge. They increasing our confidence to change, making us less intimidated by the unknown. Trying new things may help us to discover that we’ve been missing out on something fantastic!

Broadening my horizons (literary and otherwise!) does not limit my past; I can continue to reach for my tried-and-true preferences. But it does allow me to embrace the inevitability of change, while remaining in the comfort of certain constancies.

Life is unavoidably full of changes. If we refuse to accept change, we stagnate; and thus we are limiting ourselves. If we only live in flux, however, we deny ourselves the depth of connections that challenge us to be the best version of ourselves.

 
And so we seek a balance as we live into the fullness of our being. As we are confident in who (and whose) we are, we live life with a solid foundation of faith. God is with us; God is guiding us; God is constant. And from this point, we explore the richness of what God’s world has to offer, so that we can learn new ways to love and know love – as we find new ways to know and love God.

Change is going to happen, it’s up to us to decide how to respond to those changes – big and small. John Henry Newman once wrote: “To live is to change; and to be perfect is to have changed often.”