Have you noticed how often you have found yourself having a conversation with a complete stranger and you end up discussing the weather in minute detail? It's not that we're all amateur meteorologists, but rather that we instinctively gravitate towards these kind of conversations, which are non-threatening, but which don't tend to deepen the relationship much!
Author Charles Duhigg believes that it doesn't have to be this way - he suggests an approach he calls "deep questions", where, instead of just asking for information ('where do you stay?', 'what do you do?') we ask people how they feel. So, if the person you are talking to is a teacher, instead of asking which school they teach at, ask if they always wanted to be a teacher, or what they love most about their job. These questions lead us into a completely different kind of conversation and open up the potential for more meaningful relationship.
Our hope for WMC is that this community becomes a place for all of us where relationships deepen and we talk about more than just the weather :) That's the thinking behind giving everyone name-tags and arranging tea and eats for each service. So, I hope you have a chance to share in meaningful conversation over a cup of coffee this Sunday!
PS: You may notice that we have been moving furniture around in the church foyer. The plan is to create a more open, welcoming, comfortable space in that foyer, including some seating. The bookshelf and small group DVD resources have been relocated to the family room alongside the foyer, and we are in the process of sorting through the books we have. John Wesley said that "reading Christians are growing Christians", so look out for some book reviews in the coming months to inspire you. Also, have a look at the framed posters along the passage and in the foyer, sharing details about some of our mission projects. Who knows, they may inspire some deep questions :)
Author Charles Duhigg believes that it doesn't have to be this way - he suggests an approach he calls "deep questions", where, instead of just asking for information ('where do you stay?', 'what do you do?') we ask people how they feel. So, if the person you are talking to is a teacher, instead of asking which school they teach at, ask if they always wanted to be a teacher, or what they love most about their job. These questions lead us into a completely different kind of conversation and open up the potential for more meaningful relationship.
Our hope for WMC is that this community becomes a place for all of us where relationships deepen and we talk about more than just the weather :) That's the thinking behind giving everyone name-tags and arranging tea and eats for each service. So, I hope you have a chance to share in meaningful conversation over a cup of coffee this Sunday!
PS: You may notice that we have been moving furniture around in the church foyer. The plan is to create a more open, welcoming, comfortable space in that foyer, including some seating. The bookshelf and small group DVD resources have been relocated to the family room alongside the foyer, and we are in the process of sorting through the books we have. John Wesley said that "reading Christians are growing Christians", so look out for some book reviews in the coming months to inspire you. Also, have a look at the framed posters along the passage and in the foyer, sharing details about some of our mission projects. Who knows, they may inspire some deep questions :)