For decades, the main avenue of communication among CB Northwest churches has been the CB Northwest Family News. It has gone through several makeovers in that time, but has persisted as the flagship publication of the association.
However, in recent years, as the mailing list (numbering nearly 23,000) has morphed, and spread geographically across the U.S., a recurring question has been, “Who are we communicating with?” Or from another perspective, “Who am I writing to?” Are we writing to pastors? Church leaders? Congregants? Interested bystanders? The readership served by the Family News is unknown to a large degree.
Jesus was a master communicator. He sometimes spoke in plain, direct language, sometimes in puzzling paradox, sometimes in veiled parables. Neither His method nor the effect of His communication was the same for every hearer.
This is our direct communication with you. Other publications will target other audiences, but this one will address topics, questions and needs that are of interest to pastors and church leaders.
As a pastor, you are bringing the word of God to the people of God. Have you reflected on your communication as a leader recently?
It is important, from time to time, to pause and ask oneself how communication is faring. Am I communicating effectively with leaders? With the congregation? With others in the community? What means of communication am I using, and are others available to me? How is my communication perceived? Am I inadvertently bypassing someone in my communication process? I’ve discovered that I can continue for a long time in the same mode of communication without reflecting on its effectiveness.
I encourage you to review your various means of communication. Are you challenging your leadership to live lives worthy of emulation? Are you exhorting your congregation – encouraging them to live life on Jesus’ terms? Are your life and ministry communicating an invitation to the unchurched?
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
