Communication

Except: The Leader Servant  ~  3 December 2012

Dallas Theological Seminary – SL305 Dynamics of Leadership

The Leader Servant’s high proficiency demands effective communication. Effective communication comprises an array of subtopics: verbiage, tonality, rate, volume, eye contact, body posture and positioning, facial expression, attitude—desire, love, patience, method of written, oral and the various technological categories of each, and the variability of all these. The best communicators practice, practice, and practice!

 

Body posture, facial expression, attitude—desire, love, patience affect all communication regardless whether the audience sees or hears the communicator. We subconsciously convey these attributes through our dialogue, whether in person, on the phone, writing a letter, blog, text message, e-mail or post on Facebook or LinkedIn.

 

Additionally, prudence advises stating one’s tonality in written communication, especially when the environment is tense. For example, Paul concludes 1 Corinthians by telling them how much he cares about them after a letter with many heated messages, encouraging the Corinthian church to get their act together.

When necessary, I commence e-mails saying, “Please read this in cordial, conversation tonality.” This results from experience when some have interpreted my attitude in the communication as angry or upset, especially when I seek to concision in a hurried moment.

 

Eye contact is vital, this captures and maintains the listeners attention along with letting them know that you value them as a person. Additionally, the lack of eye contact usually indicates dishonesty, shame, shyness or insecurity.

This indicator enhances our ability to adjust the communication on the fly, whether speaking with one or present to several thousand people. Varying verbiage, tonality and volume also enhance the listeners ability to stay attentive.

 

Paul instructs the Corinthian church of the necessity to have interpreters if speaking in tongues. He points out that communication’s effectiveness includes comprehension. The Leader Servant understands listener comprehension includes adequate articulation and volume of the message for them to hear.

Several years ago, 1974 Horatio Alger award recipient William Bailey served as my mentor for my public speaking. He previously mentored renowned speakers such as Jim Rohn, and Less Brown.

Mr. Bailey said, “Rick, you have a terrific, powerful message. However, we need to improve your articulation and voice’s tonality.” I visited a speech pathologist weekly in first and second grade.

William Bailey suggested I read aloud Shakespeare or King James version Psalm, “as if to 500 people”, for fifteen to twenty minutes every day.

My articulation and tonality improved greatly, consequently others willingness to listen and respond to my message also increased. As a Leader Servant, I continue developing my voice and encourage others to do the same.

 

The Leader Servant strives to include as many as possible in the organizations communications, especially e-mails. Obviously, confidentiality and topic aide in determining scope. Supporters and donors desire inclusion of communication. If they desire, they may request omission from the list or delete the e-mail.

 

How does one improve verbiage? Strive to omit most “be” verbs such as “is, was, be, being, are,” etc. They do have appropriate uses, we must choose carefully. One may often find a powerful verb to use. Negations should also be avoided to the best of one’s ability.

 

For example, instead of the Leader instructing his group to “Don’t be late,” or “Don’t forget…”, the effective Leader Servant instructs them to “Be on time” and “Remember.” The subconscious fails to register negative connotations such as “not,” and “no.”

Consequently, the words “Do not be late” register in the subconscious as “Do be late.” The conscious does have the ability to recognize and acknowledge the negation, however this requires 40 percent[1] more brain power than the absence of negations.

 

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com

 

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[1] (Glahn 2012)

Faith in Action vs. Inaction

Do you receive hunches—intuitive suggestions—to encourage or compliment someone? Are you hesitant to act because of the risk of how they will receive the message, even though you intend for good?


Perhaps you receive hunches to pursue illogical dreams and goals. (This articles intent lacks demarcating dreams vs. goals) Does your Christian Spiritual mentor challenge you to act beyond your comfort zone? Yet you question obedience because of the necessity of leaving your comfort zone despite the action directly correlating with a portion of your God-given dream or vision (Habakkuk).


Hall of Fame Coach Bill Congleton use to frequently quip, "You don't find gold without digging." Digging for gold requires releasing both your right hand and left hand from that which is familiar and comfortable to grab your shovel and dig for the gold mines of greatness planted by God, found when acting on faith in and of God (Rick E. Meyer, 2003 District 24 Toastmasters International contest speech).


Ultimately, our hesitation arises from our concern of what others will think of us, along with whether we act in obedience to God. Knowing our full identity resides in our being created by God in His image and only His opinion of us that matters, we freely release the concerns of others. Consider that if we please God, all in communion with the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will also view your action favorably to the extent of their concern and involvement of your activity on their life. If we please God, then those who oppose us in pleasing God resultantly oppose God—at least in this specific moment and action.


Frequently I have hunches—intuitive suggestions—to encourage or compliment someone: Listen and Respond to Christ's Voice.


Despite receiving hundreds, perhaps thousands, of positive feedback for past hunches / intuitive actions, I continue having moments of hesitating on future compliments, encouragements and pursuing dreams. Each time requires stepping out on Faith, faith in properly hearing and responding to God's voice. How about you, do you struggle with these same challenges?


Remember the spiritual warfare constantly surrounding those striving to serve Christ (Ephesians 6:10-18). Christ's enemies passionately, and fully seek to defeat all obedience to Christ. The methods abound including messages of doubt regarding self-worth, effectiveness, the "reality" of you God given dream. The enemy, sometimes demons, sometimes our own minds, attempts to convince you and I to give-up on our dreams, give-up on encouraging others, to give-up on acting in obedience to Christ's commands.


When you emotionally let go of that which is familiar and comfortable to you, grabbing the phone, keyboard or coffee to compliment, encourage someone or pursue your God inspired dreams, you are most likely serving Christ himself through others whom you impact (Matthew 25:31-46).


Succinctly summarized: In matters of compliments, encouragement and dreams, I prefer Faith in Action over Inaction!


See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ in Faith!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com

Image and Person Summation

An excerpt from a class summation paper Fall 2012 @ Dallas Theological Seminary.

Introduction

I have written and rewritten this paper several times in an attempt to adequately convey how this course has and will affect my life and my ministry. Each edition yields another sense of inadequacy. The lectures and material amplify the necessity of showing you, DTS, and all those with whom I associate the impact through my ministry of eye to eye, ear to ear, heart to heart dialogue. This includes focusing first on those with whom I communicate. The world needs to hear the message of creation, image, identity and person (Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8, 139; Rom. 1), along with the other discussed topics. Prudently conveying the message of their significance mandates commencing with deeply caring about them, their family, career, prizes, awards, hurts, and concerns (Mt. 22:37-39). Effectiveness hinges upon knowing, living and communicating the Word of God, along with familiarity of writings by, about and interests of those with whom I minister. I recently began using flash cards to aid scripture retention and recall.

 

The passionate, errant beliefs of non-believers illustrate their inner-desire for meaning, fulfillment and happiness. Sin, depravity and demons—directly and indirectly—cause and influence filling these needs with false doctrine. False doctrine includes science without God, lust, uncontrolled hormones, greed, envy, and jealousy (Rom. 1:20-32; Gal. 5:19-21). My ministry through relationships, keynotes and seminars, focuses on leading people to the only one whom fulfills these voids—the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The keynotes and seminars guide attendees towards the Bible, strong relationships, relying on Christ, and finding and engaging with a biblical mentor.

 

Succinctly stated, this course illustrates the need for deeply studying for the sake of relationships and deep teaching in the appropriate method for each situation. Know the Word, and personalize the ministry approach.

Creation—Image—Person

    Genetics—creation—determines value. Caldwell-Wagner Angus of Harlan, Kansas owned a bull in the 1970s and early 1980s that placed first or second in major cattle shows at Reno, Denver, and Louisville, along with many others in between. Sam and Gyra Wagner's son, John, and I were good friends from kindergarten through high school. Cattlemen across North America revered Colossal's genetics, some paid thousands of dollars for only Colossal's semen, giving them the ability to have calves effectively created by Colossal. While visiting a Nebraska crop-consulting client in the early 1990s—ten years after Colossal's death—he showed me the genetics of a bull he considered purchasing. This bull's listed sires—creators—included Colossal. A bull's creating sire greatly affects real and perceived value.

 

The 1984 World Champion Quarter Horse standing with the trophy and ribbon in Kansas City's American Royal Arena, hung on the office wall of another Nebraska crop-consulting client in the 1990s. A descendant of that horse sold for $100,000, because of its bloodline—creator—from a world champion. Horsemen highly value genetics created by World Champion horses.

 

Seed corn prices and genetics in the seed, vary greatly based on the parent company. Sometimes a parent company and one of its subsidiaries each sell seed with the same genetics. The seed from the parent company sells for a two-three fold price increase because of the perceived creator of that seed. The creating genetics of bulls, horses, and seed corn reflects their real and perceived value.

 

Breaker box with generic paint @ $900, conversely the same breaker box from Caterpillar with their paint and brand @ $2,500. Both boxes contained the same quality of electronic component, yet the brand—the image—increased the value nearly 300 percent. The difference resided in the manufacture's paint color and sticker.

 

Does knowing our Creator and having His mark—the indwelling Holy Spirit—affect man's real and perceived value? Absolutely! Knowing God—the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit—as our Creator and God of the universe affects every aspect of our lives (Gen. 1:26-28; Ps. 8:3-6; Hebr. 2:5-9). This significantly impacts our relationships, work ethic, tangible and intangible morality, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and even our sense of humor. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them (Gen.1:27). Wow!!! This passage alone sufficiently causes eternal awe when reality partially permeates one's conscience, psyche and soul.

 

Combining this with the order of creation revealed in Psalm 8:3-6, the proverbial top blows out of the universe. He made us; He made us in His image, His likeness! He created us to rule over His entire earthly business! I ponder these messages while typing this paper in utter awe and humility towards God. Who am I to serve Him? Who am I to rule over anything, much less assist in running His business called Planet Earth (Hebrews 11:3; Job 38; Is. 40:28)? If a bull, horse or seed corn exponentially increases in value based on their creator, how valuable are we, am I, created with the genetics of the God of the universe?

 

This causes reflection to when as a child on the farm my dad let me drive the tractor by myself and feed the cattle and hogs by myself, he trusted me with a portion of his business. I, like most farm boys, became utterly excited at the responsibility entrusted by my father. Dad checked on me from time to time and provided loving discipline when I erred despite knowing better. Consequences existed for my success and failure, often based upon whether my failures resided in ignorance or laziness. He also assured the proper completion of every necessary task regardless of my efforts. Dad's sovereignty of his farm business provides a microcosm of God's sovereignty of His business of all creation.

 

Unfortunately, Hawkings, Gould, Solomon, most academics and others like them fail to capture, or acknowledge their Godly genetics. They ignore these powerful truths of whose image they represent, choosing to believe they exist from randomness, in the image of randomness. In denying their creation by and in the image of God, they effectively equate themselves to someone who burns the pedigree papers of a bull calf descending from Colossal, or a colt from the World Champion Quarter horse. Except the pedigree papers distinguishing humanity as God's infinitely exceed those of man ruled creation.

 

Dear readers, do you recognize your value because of who created you? Amazement astounds those pondering the power and untapped power of neuroscience and genetics. Every discussion of neuroscience must begin the designer and creator of neuroscience genetics. Only in focusing on the originator do we begin to scratch the surface of appreciation of our mind-body relationship. God designed and created us for relationship with Him.

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com

^{1 & 2} (Burns 2012)

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Argument on 1 Corinthians

Introduction

Corinth—a city of Achaia—located between the Aegean and the Adriatic Seas with proficient commercial imports and exports, enjoyed significant economic benefits. Corinth served as the hub for all north and south tertiary travel, including the pathway to Athens. Early history indicates Corinth's industry comprised of ship manufacturing, "pottery, bronze metal work, and decorative handicraft." Romans destroyed Corinth in 146 B.C., plundering the city's amazing art. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar sent discharged military veterans to Corinth in an effort to rebuild the city. Eventually the city's population and attractiveness exceeded the original. Unfortunately, idolatry, "luxury, pride, vanity, effeminacy, greed" and immorality also thrived. A plethora of shrines and temples included Apollo and Poseidon, the goddess of love—Temple of Aphrodite—which provided a home for approximately one-thousand religious prostitutes. This temple stood on a 2,000-foot elevated granite mound, otherwise known as Acrocorinth which served as the acropolis—literally high city—for defense. ¹ Sufficiency of space enabled this as the refuge for Corinth's citizens, and the surrounding rural population in the event of an enemy attack. Secular principles infiltrated the Corinthian church, directing the members' thoughts, decisions and resulting actions. Paul lived and preached for eighteen months in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:11). The Lord used a night vision during this visit in AD 51 to instruct Paul to preach with assurance of safety (Acts 18:10). During Paul's initial visit to Corinth he met fellow tent makers and believers, Aquila and Priscilla. A Pauline authorship date of 54 or 55 AD from Ephesus, during his third missionary journey, proves congruent with most scholars.

Purpose

Paul writes with applied directives of corrective Biblical principles for the local Corinthian church. The aforementioned secularism infiltrated the church. Chloe's household (1 Cor. 1:11-12) and Apollos who returned to Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:12), each sent Paul letters expressing concern of this secularism causing division in the church. Other letters may have existed. Human generated wisdom began replacing wisdom from the Spirit of God, with causative effects of intra-church lawsuits, division, immorality, idolatry, denial of the Resurrection and secularizing communion. Additionally, three men from Corinth came to Paul, apparently presenting him with a letter of inquisitions (1 Cor. 7:1; 16:7). Paul clearly articulates the significance of sanctification and unity.

Argument

Salutation 1:1-3

Riveting messages quickly captivate the receptors. Paul's opening of 1 Corinthians equates with nitroglycerine for the explosive minded, or the richest cheesecake for the dessert connoisseur. Paul immediately establishes the multi-pronged theme of this letter. Because human wisdom received great praise in the Corinthian church, thus causing some to doubt Paul's authority, Paul immediately specifies his authorship and authority as an apostle—specifically and directly called by Jesus Christ—and by God's will. False prophets viewed the simplicity of the Gospel and Paul's message with contempt. This resulted in church dissension and division. Stating his apostleship illustrates his authority to the Corinthian church, while the latter informs them that God has sent him apart. Combined, these offer every reason for the readers' attentiveness.


Scholarly opinions vary from certainty to unsure on whether "Sosthenes our brother" is the same Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 17. The second sentence distinctly identifies the letter's intended recipients and audience. This statement equivocates with one's parents calling them by their first, middle, and last name, precisely identifying the audience to avoid any confusion of whom needs to listen, and respond to the letter's message. Moreover, the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul's pen informs the Corinthian church that despite their immorality and lack of faith, God also sets apart them and everyone who possesses life altering belief in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. Consequently they should accept and respond to Christ's grace by living
holy, including unification with all believers. This message correlates with Jesus instructing the adulteress woman, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on, sin no more" (Jn. 8:11 NASB).


¹ (MacAurthur 1984, vii, viii)
² (Coffman 1984, 03)
³ (Pringle n.d., 38)
⁴ (Boa, et al. 1997, 1252)
⁵ (D. S. Toussaint 2012, Class Notes)
⁶ (Radmacher, Allen and House 1999, 1459)
⁷ (Pringle n.d., 38)
⁸ (Pringle n.d., 48)




See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc. www.rickemeyer.com

Bibliography

(Serves as Bibliography for the complete 1 Corinthians argument series)

 

Boa, Kenneth, Sid Buzzell, Gene A. Getz, and Bill Perkins. Promise Keepers Men's Bible Study (NIV). Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, 1997.

Coffman, James Burton. First and Second Corinthians. Vol. II. Abilene, Texas: A-C-U Press, 1984.

Dowling, Robin and Dray, Stephen. 1 Corinthians: Free to Grow. Grand Rapids , Michigan: Baker Books, 1995.

Getz, Gene A. Life Essentials Study Bible. Vol. 1. Nashville, Tennessee: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011.

Hillel, Daniel. Introduction to Soil Physics. San Diego: Academic Press, Inc., 1982.

Lowery, David K. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament. Edited by John F., Zuck, Roy B. Walvoord. Colorado Springs, Colorado: David C. Cook, 1983.

Luther, Martin. Day by Day We Magnify Thee. Augsburg, n.d.

MacAurthur, John F. First Corinthians. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Bible Institute, 1984.

Mathias, Art Ph.D. In His Own Image: We are Wonderfully Made. Anchorage, Alaska: Wellspring Publishing, 2003.

Pert, Candice Ph.D. Molecules of Emotion. 1999.

Pringle, John Rev. Commentary on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to The Corinthians by John Calvin. 500. Vol. First. Baker Books, n.d.

Radmacher, Earl, Ronald B. Allen, and Wayne H. House. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary. 4th. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1999.

Spirit, Holy. NASB Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1962-1995.

Storer, Sandra J. "PAUL'S DEPICTION OF CELIBACY IN 1 CORINTHIANS 7:25-35:." Thesis: Moody Bible Institute. 2004.

Toussaint, Dr. Stanley. "Acts and the Pauline Epistles, Class Notes." 2012.

Toussaint, Dr. Stanley D. TAI Series: People Come in Four Sizes. Millet the Printer, Inc. Dallas, Texas, n.d.

 

 

Listening: Pharisee or Greatness

If your favorite team's efforts in preparation and competition, matched your exerted efforts in your profession, would your favorite team's success match your desires for them?

 

I pose this question across America, and now the world? I then affirm that exerted effort, at least in this context, differs from time. In other words, how much of one's physical, mental, and spiritual ability does one exert in their current allotment of time?

 

Two people may each run from 6:00 AM until 7:00 AM, or work on professional project from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. However, one may exert greater effort within these time frames than the other.

 

I recently shared this with a fellow student, who immediately began tearing apart every word spoken. He failed to understand that effort and the amount of time differ in this example. He proudly explained that he finds fault in most everything anyone says. Unfortunately, I too have been guilty of this more times than I care to admit.

 

I now call listeners like my friend and me Pharisee and Sadducee listeners. We seek to criticize instead of understand the person's message. We look for the wrong in someone's message instead of what is right.

 

Often times people explain the same concept using differing terminology based on our differing vernacular influenced by those with whom we associate. For example in college, Ben from St. Louis drank soda, Jon from Manhattan drank a "coke," while Jamie drank pop, while all three consumed Dr. Pepper.

 

Instead of criticizing Jon for saying "coke" when drinking Dr. Pepper, wisdom seeks Jon's true drink--the true meaning. Pharisee and Sadducee listening to criticize hinders relationships, while listening for what is right, what the person means enhances relationships.

 

The basis of the openning question recognizes we each differ in our "natural" abilities, yet we control our level of application. Over the long haul, the exertion generally makes all the difference.

 

For example, Dr. Ken McFarland told of meeting William Jennings Bryan when Ken was a nine or ten year old boy in Caney, Kansas--approximately 1918. Mr. Bryan stopped in Caney to campaign for the United States Presidency on a hot day. He arrived on the 10:10 Topeka, Santa Fe, Atchison line.

 

Mr. Bryan saw Ken standing barefoot in overalls, and nothing else. William Jennings Bryan approached young Ken McFarland, asking what he was doing out in the hot sun with no hat. Nine or ten year old Ken McFarland shared that he and his brothers listened to Mr. Bryan's "Cross of Gold" record on their families Victrola record player until they "plum wore it out."

 

"I want to raise my voice to the glory of God and the United States, like you said in your speech," declared Ken.

 

"You can do it. Yes, you can do it. You just get down on your knees every night and thank God that you live in this great land, and ask Him to give you gumption. With all that you can do the rest yourself." "Now I have come over here and told you something, I expect you to remember it," explained the great orator, William Jennings Bryan.

 

The young small town Kansas boy looked up exuding admiration, "Oh, I will."

 

Dr. Ken McFarland shares this story in a speech in 1984, adding "As you can see, I still remember it. I still get down on my knees every night thanking God that I live in this great country and ask Him to give me gumption." Dr. McFarland spent his life raising his voice to the glory of God and the United States of America.

 

William Jennings Bryan listened purposely to Ken, and sought to understand his message. Ken McFarland listened to understand and apply the reply from William Jennings Bryan.

 

Dr. Ken McFarland adds, "I continue thanking God for great men who took a little bit of their time to talk to (and listen) to barefooted boys in overalls. It makes all the difference."

 

What might have been the difference in Dr. Ken McFarland's life, as well as the millions of lives impacted by his messages while speaking for Goodyear, Readers Digest and all the organizations if William Jennings Bryan would have listened as a Pharisee with the intent of finding fault and criticism?

 

Instead he listened with the intent seek the meaning, responding to lift up the small Kansas boy, on a hot summer's day, that stood barefoot in overalls?

 

I continue listening to a tape purchased twenty years ago of Dr. McFarland's 1984 speech in Pittsburg. Yes, exerting effort to listen makes all the difference in world.

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

 

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com

(First draft 9 September 2012 7:47 PM CDT)