The desire of the righteous ends only in good;
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
Proverbs 11:23
Last week I introduced Bishop Carrie’s vision for nurturing a Community of Love in our diocese. I remind you now of the values that undergird this vision.
• Faithfulness
• Integrity
• Compassion
• Curiosity
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Informed Choice
• Humility
• Hospitality
These values underpin a set assumptions Bishop Carrie hopes we will share. Unspoken assumptions risk misunderstanding and conflict. Shared assumptions drawing on shared values make communication easier, more fruitful, and more satisfying. Here are some that we might consider as we continue our work together as the body of Christ.
• People are doing the best they can with what they have, and their capacities vary with time.
• It’s a beautiful thing to ask for help when needed.
• Each of us sees things others don’t.
• People may disagree with me and have pure motives.
• Differences are opportunities for learning and growing.
• Conflict itself is not good or bad; it is the way we move through conflict that can divide or unite.
• It’s possible I may be contributing to the problem.
• Feedback is a gift.
• How we work through things is often more important than what we decide.
• Kind is better than nice.
How do you see the values above at work in these assumptions? Which of them makes sense to you? Are there some you appreciate more than others? Do you feel like people at Trinity already share these assumptions? Are there other assumptions that operate in our church? How could we as a community adopt more faithful, compassionate, and humble assumptions when doing and leading ministry in the church?
In peace,
Join Us
Trinity Episcopal Church
120 Allegheny Ave
Towson, MD 21204
410-823-3588