The Secret Recipe

When you participate in meaningful conversations, you will be transformed, and others should benefit from your contributions. We want it to be a win-win.

But how does that happen?

A friend says that "every process results in a certain outcome." For instance, if we speak impulsively, we'll become impulsive, reactionary people.

But if we identify and follow a good process for creating valuable contributions, we will grow every time we share.

It's like a good recipe makes good food. Here's the secret recipe:

When we respond to someone, we seek to understand who we're speaking to. We ask: - Who is my neighbor? - What are their emotions, background, and context? - Why did they share this? - What strengths do I see in their approach?

Once we understand our neighbors, we seek to understand what they've said and meant. We ask: - What did they say? - What did they mean? - Can I do any research to understand their perspective better?

Then, we start to create our response: - I've prayed about my response - I've asked the Holy Spirit for guidance - My response demonstrates empathy - My response is a clear engagement with their question or comment - My tone is humble and friendly - I've engaged with the Scriptures - I've illustrated my point in a culturally appropriate way

The point isn't just to get as many people sharing as often as possible. It's about strengthening our responsiveness to God and building thriving relationships that benefit everyone.

We value quality over quantity.