Let's Talk (and I Will Listen)

“…speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…(Eph. 4:15).

The word of God commands believers to be those who are speaking to one another, communicating in love to help all mature in Christ-likeness. Loving, frequent communication between all is a mark of a church that helps the church to grow, yet good communication is a characteristic that is so often missing in the body of Christ or Christian organizations.

You may be able to suggest many way or methods to help brothers and sisters communicate with one another, but here is one means that I can share that I have used successfully in church settings.

I was serving an intentional interim pastorate where I first discovered the value of using a town hall meeting to improve good communication.

In the church, like all churches, important issues surfaced that represented problems for some, and opportunities for others. People began talking to others about different issues the church was facing. The kinds of unhealthy communication being used included gossip, rumours, innuendos, complaints (usually directed toward leaders), criticisms, or even threats. Allies on their side were sought. Hills to climb over quickly became mountains to bypass or try to go around to no avail.

Other people in the church took a different approach. They spoke to one another by using encouragement, sharing hope, helping others understand, and telling positive stories from the Scriptures, or evensharing  their own experiences of how God proved that His promises have always been true.

In that common context, I pondered God’s word and how the whole church might communicate the truth to one another. How might the church talk in a way that would apply Scripture and build up the church? The answer came in the form of town hall meetings. Here’s how that worked.

A church-wide meeting was called after a Sunday morning worship service. This meeting was announced a couple of weeks ahead. A meal or refreshments were served, and a 60-minute town hall meeting was held in the church's fellowship hall.

I arranged for people to sit around tables with a row in front. The row was there for key church leaders. As the interim pastor, I sat using a microphone to hold when I could answer a few questions. pass around for other church leaders to share most of the time. More importantly, I had someone pass another microphone around to those seated at the tables to ask questions or give comments.  (See a sample meeting agenda below.) A few issues were selected and introduced so that everyone could focus on one issue at a time. I made it clear at the beginning of the town hall that this was not a business meeting and that no church business would be conducted at the town hall meeting.

Before this town hall meeting, I read the rules for the meeting. There was also a written agenda for the meeting. Copies of both are included below.

Here are some rules or principles that guide such a meeting.

• Everyone has the opportunity to share what is on their heart, but they must follow the rules that I, as moderator, use to guide the town hall. Encourage people to share, but know there may be many who choose not to talk openly.
• The main job of the leaders in the meeting is to participate by asking lead questions, and answer questions raised by the congregation at the meeting, and to LISTEN to the questions and comments.
• The meeting should last for no longer than 60 minutes.
• Pray for and trust that the Holy Spirit guides the meeting.
• Make sure that everyone knows that this meeting is not for official church business.
• Be sure to share with everyone that their questions and concerns will be discussed, and if necessary, acted on by the church leadership.
• It’s OK to share, “I don’t know the answer to that question, but we’ll do our best to get an answer for you and share it.”
• Provide food or refreshments, and sit together in small groups, preferably in circles of 6-8 people.
• In churches or organizations that are going through major transitions or change, I recommend that a town hall meeting be scheduled once a month, perhaps after a Sunday where there is a meal provided.

Sample agenda issues for a church town hall meeting

Opening prayer

Town hall discussion guidelines

Report from the Renewal Team

Report from the Constitution Revision Team

Overflow seating – making adjustments

Order of service in the bulletin

Closing prayer

Sample opening remarks for leading a town hall meeting

Opening Prayer

Our church mission: The purpose of this church is to glorify Christ by loving God, loving others, and making disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Isa 43:7, 1 Cor 10:31)

Introduction (Purpose and Ground Rules)

• Today’s purpose for meeting: Improve communication; share important information; provide an opportunity for dialogue with church leadership and understanding
• Here are our ground rules:

1. This is not a business meeting (no motions or official action will be brought up, but suggestions for future business meetings are allowed).
2. I will serve as a discussion moderator using the agenda decided by your church leadership.
3. If you have a Bible near you, turn with me to Ephesians 4:1-3; 15-16. I will read these verses to remind us of why we are doing what we are doing in this meeting.
4. Let's focus on issues, not people, so please address your comments to me and no one else
5. This is not a debate forum – it is an information forum.
6. Speak once to an issue or topic, then allow others to share on that topic before you speak again. We want everyone to have the opportunity to share.
7. Please limit your comments to up to 3 minutes.
8. Please do not raise your voice or express strong emotion.
9. We will limit this meeting to one hour maximum.

What other ways might you use to increase communication effectiveness in your ministry leadership context?