Many hours of my life have been spent in meetings – staff meetings, committee meetings, prayer meetings…
Saturday was our Men’s Shed Annual General Meeting. We reviewed our past year, discussed support we’ve received from and given to our local community, our financial situation. Some came out of interest, some came out of duty, others came because there was a lovely buffet at the end.
Sunday was our Church Meeting. After our Sunday morning service, reports on buildings and finances led to reflections from staff away-days and plans for future changes. There’s what we think is right, what we want to do… What God might be saying, where God might be leading can cause tension, always requires discernment.
Last night (Monday) was our Seagull Theatre Directors’ Meeting. We reviewed the last three months’ shows, the activities and effectiveness of staff, community involvement, plans for Christmas… We talked about other local arts organisations, our relationship with The Arts Council in London, potential challenges for 2027…
Five observations about meetings:
- Contributors: These may be constructive, informative or critical.
- Observers: Silence can imply interest, agreement, discontent or apathy.
- Differences: A range of perspectives and opinions can be constructive or destructive.
- Leadership: Not all leaders possess the gift of good meeting-leadership.
- Purpose: The people meeting need a common purpose and vision.
This Morning’s Meeting: This morning I was an observer at a Jerusalem temple meeting. In my imagination I was with Jesus, watching the crowds. Contributors were dropping their money in the collection box. Many rich people put in large amounts; a poor widow comes and drops in two small coins.
Jesus calls a quick meeting with his disciples. His good leadership is different from standard temple leadership. His purpose is to teach his disciples – including me – from their observations. He explains that the poor widow has given more than all the others; they gave a tiny part of their wealth; she’s given everything she has.
That’s the fourth good meeting I’ve attended in four days.
I like how you brought the story of the Widow’s mite into focus with the others. Instead of quoting chapter and verse, you brought yourself into the narrative—inviting your readers, too. Not every blogger is a good story teller, but you are, Malcolm. Thank you, and God Bless. 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, David. Having a meeting mindset from the past few days it seemed like another meeting I could attend. There’s certainly enough there to relate to. Apart from which, meetings in the imagination are sometimes better than the real thing!
LikeLike