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COMMUNICATION , MAKE IT
PERSONAL ! you say your
WOULD CMA chapter has a strong and healthy “ family ” atmosphere ? A place where every member or guest feels they are a welcome and an important part of the CMA family ? Is it a possibility that there are opportunities to grow your chapter into an even healthier family unit ? One of the most basic areas for improving our personal relationships within the chapter starts with good communication . We live in a fast-moving world where communication technology seems , in theory , to reign supreme . We use our chapter website , email , Facebook , text , online calendar , and other tech-savvy ways to communicate information to our CMA chapter . These tools allow us to share about our meetings , events , ministry opportunities , pretty much anything we want to share with nearly anyone by clicking or pushing a button or two . Even with the great benefits offered by the social media machine , the downside is that we can easily overlook the need for “ personal ” interaction with others . We become much like robots , sharing lots of information and not much else , especially in building personal relationships .
CMA chapters are healthier when we have strong personal relationships among the members , and these relationships can only be developed through “ personal ” interaction with each other ! The very basis of sharing our Christian faith
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and helping others grow in their walk is based on having personal relationships with other people . This is how Jesus did it and taught it ! It was up close and personal with Him , and isn ’ t Jesus our example to follow ?
We can ’ t afford to assume that everyone will be , or want to be , involved in our chapter just because they receive the information regarding our meetings or other activities . Most people are looking for more than information ; they are looking for the fellowship and hospitality that comes with being a part of something worthwhile and productive , especially within God ’ s family . Therefore , we must be “ people-focused ” in our chapter , and not just ministry workhorses , which we do quite well , by the way .
Okay , I know you are not a babysitter , and you shouldn ’ t have to call to remind anyone about the upcoming meeting or event ; after all , they are adults , and the info was shared with everyone . But do you think a simple phone call and a bit of encouragement would help the member and chapter grow as a team ? Just how hard can it be anyway ? It would be really easy to dial up a member or two just to check and see how they are doing ; maybe ask if there is something you can do to help them or to simply encourage them along in the chapter ? Can you imagine the positive impact in someone ’ s life if you let them know how much you appreciate what they bring to the chapter and just how valuable and needed they are !
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These helpful suggestions are true for all members but are especially important for the chapter leaders .
Let me be clear ; I use email , text , and other tech tools to communicate lots of information . The fact is , it would be nearly impossible to accomplish anything without using these tools . But , given the opportunities for communications to vanish into the black hole of the World Wide Web or get zapped away by some spam blocker , having some follow-up personal contact will ensure the communication hits the target .
As members in the ministry of CMA , we have to understand that our responsibilities include growing and building “ personal relationships .” Relationships that will help pull people into God ’ s ministry and take it to the place where others will see the fervent “ love of Christ ” in this family and want what we have . Why not decide to make that extra effort to personally reach out and speak “ uplifting and encouraging ” words to others in your chapter at every opportunity and watch the difference it will make in your “ CMA Family ” and in your own life .
1 Peter 4:8-9 ( NKJV ), “ And above all things have fervent love for one another , for “ love will cover a multitude of sins .” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling .” CMA
Randal and Lisa Tebeau oversee the Southeast Region as
National Evangelist .
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