Asking questions, sharing concerns, venting frustrations, attempting to understand — what if we all committed to do these things without labels or words that could have different meanings to different people?
Communication continues to creep more and more toward verbal daggers rather than fact-based, calm, grace-filled content, especially online.
So, if “those supporting the other side are doing it,” as I’ve heard some Christians say in defense of why they are OK with following suit, then would it actually serve our Lord better if His followers stood out from the crowd?
Would we shine the light of Christ more if we didn’t mix in with all the rage? It’s absolutely possible to maintain strength, stand firm in our convictions and find ways to share our reasoning with others without cutting them down, throwing punches or being downright mean about it.
The exciting news is that we’ve found readers who engage regularly with The Baptist Paper and other content provided by TAB Media Group do seem to keep a check on their communication style. We measure this by the way you engage with us, even when you are upset about an article or a situation.
You truly are kind and gracious in your interactions, so we feel assured you are offering that same courtesy to others.
We appreciate your hopeful spirit, positive outlook and confidence in our Lord — as opposed to those exhibiting gloom and doom, crankiness and fear that the Lord can’t handle it without someone knocking a few heads together.
Now that’s a cartoon we need to run soon — a church service where leaders are selecting who needs a knock upside the head. Ha!
But seriously, here are a few tips for communicating in routine life situations without subjective labels in case it’s helpful to share with those in your circle of influence:
1. Choose to see the other person as someone also made in God’s image and not an enemy.
2. Remember we all have different backgrounds, upbringings, experiences and understandings — and those color the way we make decisions and live our lives.
3. Seek to listen and try to comprehend what the other person is attempting to express. Clarify words and meanings as needed.
4. Maintain a calm voice.
5. Delay the conversation if the intention is merely to insult or shoot down the other person’s concerns.
6. Avoid creating a “straw man” situation where the opposition’s position is diluted into a weaker version of the full story and then deemed problematic.
7. Research the facts first and share those. Present them in full context and truthfully.
8. Be open to expanding your personal opinion and understanding.
9. Share and show Christ, even when the discussion is uncomfortable or conflict arises.
10. Refuse to throw subjective descriptors around whether talking in person or commenting online — those truly only rile up an echo chamber and are not productive nor redeeming.
If we can’t present our concern or argument without constant subjective labels, then we need to step back and ask ourselves why.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jennifer Davis Rash, president and editor-in-chief of TAB Media Group. This editorial will appear in the October 23 edition of The Baptist Paper. Click here to subscribe.
