Towne Hall Meeting, Openness, III

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 41-43
NT: Galatians 3
W&W: Psalm 105.1-22

Today’s Reflection:

This past Sunday at Bethel Church of the Nazarene, we had the first in a series of Towne Hall Meetings. I began the evening with addressing an unsigned question about outreach. Since anonymous communication is “anathema” in my book, and since this was obviously an innocent question, with no underlying message, I used it to address the issue of anonymity. This post continues the excerpts from my teaching on anonymity. I hope it helps you…

And as long as we are on the topic of openness, did you know that board meetings are open? That’s right. You can attend any meeting you want as long as it is not in executive session. As a matter of fact, you can attend in my place! Just kidding! At times, board meetings may called in executive session, in which case only the elected board members and those they choose to invite would be allowed in attendance. But 99% of the time, the meetings are open for your observation. And, if you want to speak to the board, you can request – in advance – to be included on the agenda. You must ask in advance and share the nature of what you want to address, and the board or board chairman must approve of adding you to the agenda, but you can come!

Having said all that about openness, there are a few things that will not be aired publicly in the church:
· Personnel issues over which we are bound by law or courtesy or integrity or propriety to maintain privacy
· Issues that would impact one’s dignity
· Counseling
· Moral lapses not involving the congregation as a whole

So, the rule here is openness and transparency whenever possible. We just ask that you be open about the origin of any idea, question, comment, or concern. Is that fair?

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.23-24: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.