IS perception reality? July 29, 2009

You’ve heard the saying “perception is reality” meaning what I perceive is my reality?  I’m realizing that this is sometimes true.  And if the phrase IS sometimes true then how someone perceives me is also going to communicate something to them.  SO I need be aware of what I’m communicating to people verbally, by appearance, by actions, and so on because how I’m perceived is their reality.  Yes, I know what they perceive might not ACTUALLY be the truth, but it’s something to think about anyway.  Maybe that’s where the phrase “actions speak louder than words came from”.  People receive communication from you based on your actions…

The reverse is also true…I also need to be aware of how I’m perceiving others.  I need to remember that this phrase is not ALWAYS true.  Sometimes the way someone appears, speaks, or acts does not communicate what I might perceive to be the truth.  I need to remember to extend Grace.  I think if I want to be more like Jesus sometimes I might just have to believe my perception is NOT reality.  More communication will usually be required to discover the true reality…

Information Overload? July 19, 2009

I like to learn.  Yes, I even like to read owner’s manuals for new toys, cell phones, etc.  I know…I’m what you might call  a “geek”.   And as I said in my last post I’m prayerfully preparing for my new role in Communications at SpringWell Church.   What I mean is I’m praying a lot and reading & researching a lot.  I am a pretty slow reader though so I am very conscious right now about reading almost daily so I can learn all I can before my “official” start date in the new role.  I’m also reading a few blogs from Communication gurus like Kem Meyer who is also the author of the current book  I’m reading. 

In Kem’s book, she talks about information overload.  Actually she calls it “information obesity”.  I think I’m feeling it!  Yes, I like to learn but I think I’m overdoing it.  I need to remember to make time to digest all that I’m learning; to reflect on it so that I will better be able to put it into practice. 

I think we sometimes feel this in church too.  We are presented with so much (knowledge, serving opportunities, activities, new relationships, etc.) that we are supposed to intertwine into our already full “busy” lives that as Kem puts it we might feel either ” ‘mind clutter’, stress & anxiety, or lack of personal reflection”.  Have you ever heard a great sermon on Sunday and then by Tuesday can’t even remember the title of the sermon?  We need time to digest what we learn and opportunities presented. 

I’m praying God will help me to maintain B-A-L-A-N-C-E in my own personal learning AND in what I help to communicate at SpringWell.  I pray we will all take time often for personal reflection.  I hope to communicate the right things to the right people at the right times (with ample notice) so that EVERYONE  doesn’t fall into information overload.

Communications…It takes 2 July 15, 2009

This is my first blog entry with my new role at SpringWell… I’ll officially start in late August as the Director of Communications and Information.  That just means I’ll do my best to make sure the right people hear the right stuff at the right time.  The information part of the job I’ve already been doing and I’ll just take it “up a notch”.  God has already been blessing me with ideas in both areas.  It will be an exciting adventure! 

Today I was thinking about communicating and how there usually isn’t just 1 person involved when trying to communicate something.  In any good relationship, there has to be at least 2 people who dialogue back and forth.  When one goes to an event to hear a speaker they are usually going to engage with the speaker by listening and giving feedback through facial expressions and body language.  When we communicate with God, hopefully that means we will speak to Him and also anticipate Him speaking back. 

That leads me to thoughts on my new role in the area of Communications.  While my main responsibility will be to “market” or inform people, my great desire is that any Communications I deliver will promote COMMUNICATING with someone else and maybe even me.  I don’t want to only talk AT people relaying the who, what, when, and where of events but rather deliver pieces (print, web, email) that help people engage in dialogue with others.   I hope Communications will encourage people to connect and develop relationships.  Hopefully this will help them to grow closer to God. 

Perhaps Communication piecess will help people to talk with others and invite them to church.  Perhaps Communication piecess will help people open their Bibles more and communicate with God more openly.  Perhaps Communication piecess will help families talk more openly.  Perhaps Communication piecess will help people understand Who Jesus is and point people them to a relationship with Him. 

I’m prayerfully preparing for my new role at SpringWell.  Will you pray for me in this role when He prompts you? 

Thanks! Tracey