Tuesday April 11, 2006

Communication

I was up early on Monday to do the final cleanup from Sunday’s meeting and meal, and prepare for a 9:00 AM meeting at TFC’s International Office, Marietta, PA – a twenty-mile drive for me.

Left to Right:  Mary Ann Roberts, Director of Women’s Ministry at her church and wife of Chaplain David Roberts; Scott Weidner, TFC President and CEO; Inge Koenig, Director of Communication; Tom Kemp, Chaplain Trainer and Lead Chaplain, Frystown, PA; and I (represented by my notebook, coffee cup, and cell phone) are working toward implementing an efficient system of communicating with TFC Staff and supporters. 

Meetings are probably my least favorite part of being involved in ministry, but they are necessary in keeping communication flowing – in business, ministry, or family life. 

This series of brain-storming meetings reminds me of times Cerwin and I had periodic Sunday lunch discussions with our children as they grew and matured, especially when something reminded us there was need for an updated communication system in our family.

Since being asked to chair the communication portion of TFC’s Strategic Planning Team, I have examined God’s methods of communicating to us, and concluded that when it was important for us to understand, He chose a message that was clear and to the point.    

God used a variety of ways to let us know who He is, that He loves us, and wants us fully involved in His plan of bringing each person into fellowship with Him.  His masterplan for salvation, however, was communicated by Jesus – also in clear, easy-to-understand language. 

Just how difficult is it to understand:

Follow me.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

I am come that you might have life and have it abundantly.

* * *

After the Communication Meeting ended at noon, I spent a bit of time with Rose Gehman, in the continuing process of training her to order and ship ministry supplies for TFC’s field staff and chapels in North America.  I am delighted that she is almost on her own, but there are some details, especially about the ordering, that we are working on as the need arrises. 

Rose Gehman preparing to ship a package by UPS.

The fluffy sheep is my way of communicating my body’s pleasure that last evening was my deep-muscle massage appointment with Rose’s sister, Carla.