It was one of the most memorable
lines from a classic Hollywood movie called, Cool Hand Luke, starring the legendary Paul Newman. “What we have here, gentlemen, is a failure
to communicate.” The irony is that the
line was delivered by a cruel, stubborn prison guard who didn’t lack for
communication at all, but for basic human empathy and compassion.
Sometimes our inability to
communicate can take on almost comic overtones.
Consider these poorly worded signs in various locations, attempting to
be helpful:
In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT.
In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN.
In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD.
Outside a secondhand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
Spotted in a safari park:
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR. (a little punctuation wouldn’t have hurt)
Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS.
On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)
These actual miscommunications remind me of the time I was serving a church in Dallas which posted a large (huge, really) banner outside on a busy highway announcing our upcoming Christmas Eve services. Included on the advertisement was the enticing but unfortunately misspelled byline: Special Children’s Massage. Imagine my horror when I drove past the church shortly after it was posted and realized our mistake. That can happen in one-way communication, especially when one fails to proofread!
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT.
In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN.
In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD.
Outside a secondhand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
Spotted in a safari park:
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR. (a little punctuation wouldn’t have hurt)
Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS.
On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)
These actual miscommunications remind me of the time I was serving a church in Dallas which posted a large (huge, really) banner outside on a busy highway announcing our upcoming Christmas Eve services. Included on the advertisement was the enticing but unfortunately misspelled byline: Special Children’s Massage. Imagine my horror when I drove past the church shortly after it was posted and realized our mistake. That can happen in one-way communication, especially when one fails to proofread!
Unlike one-way communication (a
posted announcement, an email blast, a zealous “prophet” booming "TURN OR BURN” into his bullhorn on a crowded street), two way communication actually involves listening as well as voicing our ideas and values. Hope Church is offering each of us a simple
but radical tool to improve our ability to communicate, listen, empathize and
thereby minister more effectively to each other. On March 14 & 15, you can learn some very
practical ways to become a better listener and, hopefully, a more effective
communicator. Pastor Steve Griebling and
his team have been working diligently to facilitate the growth of our Body in
this area. This two day workshop, Listening for Heaven’s Sake, is available to anyone—details on our
church website, or you can call the church and speak to Diane (x310) for more
details. Please consider taking
advantage of this opportunity to become a better equipped communicator of the love of Christ. tad
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