Off the Agenda: Conversations for Building Church Leaders

I don't understand how to make sense of this. If I answer yes to 3 of the 9 questions, is it okay to share the information? How about yes to 5 of the 9?

Without some sort of guidance, this list is less than helpful. Just asking questions isn't enough.

This is easy and very helpful!

If you answer any of the questions 1-5 with a YES or any question 6-9 with a NO, you shouldn't share the information!

I have not seen this list, but I think it is something to make us think before we speak about others. I was given a 3 question test many years ago, that has served me wel.
1 Is it necessary?
2 Is it kind?
3 Is it true?
If any question is answered yes-it is gossip and should not be repeated - even as a prayer request.

This list is helpful to me. When I talk with other ministers about people we are ministering to, it is not unusual for one of us to stop and ask if we are gossiping or sharing to get another perspective. It is a blessing and a keeper.

I appreciate the thot. I always try to remind myself of the so called "golden rule." It works.

I really liked this article, I copied it and will save it in my inbox as a daily reminder. I am guilty of falling into gossip, idol unimportant gossip...God has been dealing with me for some time about my mouth. I feel betrayed and hurt when people discuss or release my issues, but I haven't been as courteous and compassionate when talking about theirs.

I'm proud that God is showing me more of myself and teaching me little by little of how to be more like him. I'm so thankful for this article.

This is exactly the kind of material Christians ought read every day. There is no more destructive influence within the local assembly (or in the world) than uncontrolled speech. It is astonishing how often otherwise godly men and women are, in reality, gossips. We can stop this monster with a simple "I am not interested."

Good work, thanks!

Confidentiality isn't the problem for me in the office. It's a parishioner who goes beyond the volunteer job she does, which is recorder of funds...sort of an assistant treasurer. She has taken it upon herself to boss me around, boss our Sexton around, hound certain members of the Vestry if she doesn't approve of something they've decided (and other fabulous volunteers have worked tirelessly to accomplish mind you), and basically is "in my face" the entire time she comes to the office to do her "job." She listems to phone conversations, butts into conversations I have with parishioiners or anyone who comes to the office if she's there, takes her shoes off and leaves them whilst running around in stocking feet and eating, and actually leaving her financial job on the office work table for whole periods of time while she looks in the Music Director's office for her music, socializes with everyone...and won't listen to anything I say. She's a nightmare...and then she turns around and does some really wonderful volunteer work. Go figure!

I don't know what to do with her anymore...several other people have complained to me about her...I may have to ask the Sr. Warden to have a conversation with her. Does anyone have any advice? She is the ONLY parishioner in my entire worklife here, that has acted like that. Everyone else is more or less, a "peach" to work with or associate with! This is really a wonderful church to work for. Help anyone?!