Meetings

In a way, the best meetings are the ones where nobody is creative and nobody has any ideas about anything. People sit around, stare at the their notepads, and then, after a plausible amount of time has passed everyone leaves. Everybody's happy because nothing was demanded of them, and nobody was made to look bad in front of others.

- Douglas Coupland, J-Pod.

I went to a meeting last night. You know the kind of meeting that I am talking about. The kind of meeting where you have a good plan, a good strategy and a well rehearsed schedule.

Instead of a meeting we had a conversation.

It was a conversation about the church that I attend. There was laughter. There were a few weepy moments. There were stories. There were decisions reached by consensus. At the end of the meeting, people stayed around and chatted even though the snow was falling heavily throughout the meeting.

Standing there it became obvious that people cared deeply for one another and were basking in the glow of friendship.

Watching everyone interact made me feel great to be a part of a church that prizes conversations over conflict. I am glad to be part of a community that values people over possessions. I am glad to see the Kingdom unfolding rather than the promotion of our kingdoms.

Meetings.

Been to any good ones lately?