Communication and Transparency
This is the third of four weekly questions and discussions related to the CUMC JustPeace process. Thank you for your responses to the first and second e-mails. The first topic was about “Who We Are – Our CUMC Identity” and the second about “CUMC Community Interactions – how we live together in Christian love.” This week’s topic is “Communication and Transparency.”
The first part includes information related to our circle conversations and feedback. Scroll down further to “Dialogue Response” in order to see the related questions.
What we are saying about our communication and transparency…
Those who participated in the JustPeace dialogue process (through circles or written feedback) commented frequently about communication and interaction. Once again, there was diverse feedback; however, some insights clustered around the following:
a) Communication in CUMC community – those who expressed concern that despite very good intentions on the part of many, we have not always communicated well as a CUMC community. There was hope expressed that communication processes could be examined and improved, transparency valued and a sense of trust strengthened within the CUMC community.
b) Comprehensive communication processes – those who expressed a yearning for open, intentional and consistent communication from, to and among leadership, committees and ministry teams. Such processes may include: “re-vamping” the website and newsletter; being certain to utilize a variety of print, verbal and electronic communication; providing channels for feedback, and information exchange; including reminders about “points of contact”; and, considering creative ways to share agenda, plans, updates and routine decision-making.
c) Mutual responsibility – those who acknowledged that communication is not “one way” – that we all have a responsibility to initiate and receive information important to building up the CUMC body and living out our Christian discipleship. Persons also wanted to be sensitive to diverse ways of communicating (e.g. generational, cultural).
d) Face-to-face communication and relationships are critical – those who expressed concern that we give due attention to face to face communications and our relationships as we seek to improve communication strategies.
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