Learning community

I want to share something that happened in another community setting that encouraged me and challenged me. In this other context, a couple was feeling confused, disappointed, and at loose ends because of some unmet communication expectations. The leader who was responsible for the interaction couldn't sleep one night and as he prayed God showed him how he had failed in communication with this couple. He got up and at 3:00 a.m. sent a letter which included genuine ownership of failure, apology, and clear, caring, responsible communication of the needed information.

I was filled with such joy as I received the copied emails. I was estatic because I was seeing genuine community in action!!! "It is possible." "It does work."

Note worthy items:
- The couple who was feeling the lack of communication, clearly and honestly presented their questions to the leader. They didn't let it ride. They didn't stuff their frustration or sweep it under the rug of "never question the leader."
- They acknowledged the reality of the validity of their concerns...for the health of not only themselves BUT the community and that part of the Body of Christ.
-The leader was not defensive.
- The leader didn't put the responsibility on the couple for not understanding what he thought he had communicated. He humbly took the responsibility and acknowledged his fault.
- The leader demonstrated that he understood by supplying every detail, and more, that the couple needed for their ability to proceed in the role they were approaching.
- The whole process deeply spoke "community."

I covet this aspect of community. I have so far to go, so much to learn. And you, members-one-of-another-in-the-upper-womb, are the precious ones God has chosen to teach me.