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One way to stay in touch is to communicate in public meetings. In the absence of information, people will usually think the worse. While the people may not be entitled to confidential information about leadership discussions, they to have the right to know the criteria and processes leaders are using to make decisions. Most people are willing to wait for information if they have confidence that leadership will communicate decisions when leaders make them.

The neighbour did this well with the staff dismissals. While he was not free to publish the personnel files on each staff member, he did notify the congregation about the severances as soon as they happened. The operational principle is this:

while discussions are confidential, decisions* are not. And leaders should make them public as soon as possible.

Pastoral Ministry in the Real World: Loving, Teaching, and Leading God’s People, © 2015 by Jim L. Wilson

*

Making decisions public, or public participation in decision-making, involves involving citizens in government/organisational choices that affect them, fostering transparency, accountability, and better outcomes through diverse perspectives, local knowledge, and increased buy-in, using methods like public meetings, consultations, and digital platforms, with the goal of more effective, equitable, and trusted results.

A church community does not mean that only the church leader would have the say. Community is built by bringing together and working out ideas. Building a church is a collaborative effort. There must be openness to discuss matters and work out plans together.

Obviously, one must work to have a structure and regularity in the church or ecclesia. To this end, the elders bear the responsibility and will mainly have to make most of the decisions. But in this they will have to fully take into account the entire community of believers in their parish or community.

It is not bad to bring in local expertise, diverse viewpoints, and context, leading to more effective and relevant solutions. The opening to others, listening to different opinions, gives people a sense of ownership and agency over decisions affecting their lives.

Proactively publishing meeting agendas, minutes, data, and justifications for decisions shall give transparency.

We may not forget some key necessities of communication:

• Building Relationships & Trust: It allows sharing experiences, building bonds, and fostering empathy, leading to deeper connections and mutual understanding.
• Expressing Needs & Ideas: It’s the primary way to convey thoughts, feelings, instructions, and opinions, ensuring needs are met and ideas are understood.
• Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution: Clear communication reduces misunderstandings, resolves disputes respectfully, and helps in making better choices. It is very easy for people to misunderstand things. In order to be a smooth cooperative community, it is important that the elders take good care that there are no misunderstandings among the members that can interfere with the proper functioning.
• Career Growth & Teamwork: In the workplace, it’s vital for collaboration, leadership, productivity, and career advancement, as employers highly value these skills. For the church, it is a necessity that the whole community as one team goes for the truth.
• Cognitive & Academic Growth: If there is good communication, things will usually remain clear and easy to follow. This will bring a friendly peace and confidence among churchgoers. It aids in learning, sharing knowledge, clarifying doubts, and developing cognitive abilities.
• Self-Confidence & Influence: Effective communication boosts self-esteem, enables leadership, and empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and influence others.And as you will find in other articles on this platform, leadership is an important fact in building a religious community. The church needs good and decisive leaders, who clearly express the way to and from God without straying into what people prefer among human traditions.
• Social & Community Engagement:The elder or leader of the religious community must always be open to discussion and must give everyone the opportunity to give his or her opinion. But the one who leads the ecclesia must set clear lines and always act according to the teachings of Jesus. Even if that would show less popular towards the outside world.

  It helps individuals participate in society, understand diverse perspectives, and build supportive communities. 

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Preceding

1. Philosophy hand in hand with spirituality
2. Science, belief, denial and visibility 1
3. Being Religious and Spiritual 5 Gnostic influences
4. Framework and vehicle for Christian Scholasticism and loss of confidence
5. Team Learning and Personal Accountability
6. The Pastor Theologian
7. Coming to understanding from sayings written long ago
8. In these politically troubled times, a certainty through our trust in God
9. Epicurus’ Problem of Evil

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Additional reading

1. Meeting – Vergadering
2. Parish, local church community – Parochie, plaatselijke kerkgemeenschap
3. Religion and believers #10 Infiltrating pagan teachings
4. Soar to Places Unknown
5. Shared inheritance plus integral and integrating vision
6. Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman (Summary)
7. Intentions of an Ecclesia
8. A Synod to speak freely and to listen without reservations
9. Democratic principles for the church of today