Communication in the Church: A Handbook for Healthier Relationships

by Thomas G. Kirkpatrick

Overview

Communication is integral to the mission of the church, but it can go awry in myriad ways, both obvious and subtle. Communication in the Church helps congregations create healthier ways for their members to relate to one another for greater personal and congregational success. The book offers practical guidelines to help readers become more effective in how they build relationships, lead meetings, experience trust, practice forgiveness, use power, and bridge cultures.

Communication in the Church distills the latest social science research for readers including clergy, lay leaders, continuing education planners, students, scholars, and others. Each chapter includes real-life scenarios, sensible guidelines, practical applications, and suggestions for further learning. This book aims to help readers communicate more effectively—from leading more engaging and productive meetings to preventing or addressing communication breakdowns.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781566997898
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/29/2016
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 5.90(h) x 0.20(d)

About the Author

Thomas G. Kirkpatrick is an educator, trainer, writer, pastor, and consultant with specialties in interpersonal communication, small group ministries, and conflict management. He is the author of Small Groups in the Church: A Handbook for Creating Community. He has served as pastor at several churches and professor at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and Whitworth University. He has also been a campus minister and program director of camps and conferences.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Building Relationships
Chapter 2. Leading Meetings
Chapter 3. Experiencing Trust
Chapter 4. Practicing Forgiveness
Chapter 5. Using Power
Appendix A. Paraphrasing Exercise
Appendix B. Listening Awareness and Skills Inventory
Appendix C. Strength Bombardment Exercise

Editorial Reviews

In a time of loud, dissonant rhetoric, Thomas Kirkpatrick offers guidelines for calm, reflective listening and sane conversation. He envisions the church as the place where people "speak the truth in love" and "carefront" for the sake of clarity and honesty, even more, for building genuine relationships. He knows that the church is where you dialogue, not to win points, but to love thy neighbor.

Thomas Kirkpatrick's book could not be more timely. The book is targeted for communication in the church but is relevant in many other settings. I was immediately engaged because the descriptions of poor communication were so accurate and the prescriptions for healthy communication were so helpful. The chapters immediately invite readers in and are profound and practical. It is a book that should be required reading in nearly every congregation.

From the Publisher

Thomas Kirkpatrick’s book could not be more timely. The book is targeted for communication in the church but is relevant in many other settings. I was immediately engaged because the descriptions of poor communication were so accurate and the prescriptions for healthy communication were so helpful. The chapters immediately invite readers in and are profound and practical. It is a book that should be required reading in nearly every congregation.

Rev. Duncan Ferguson

In a time of loud, dissonant rhetoric, Thomas Kirkpatrick offers guidelines for calm, reflective listening and sane conversation. He envisions the church as the place where people “speak the truth in love” and “carefront” for the sake of clarity and honesty, even more, for building genuine relationships. He knows that the church is where you dialogue, not to win points, but to love thy neighbor.

Peter L. Steinke

Tom Kirkpatrick’s book could not be more timely. The book is targeted for communication in the church but is relevant in many other settings. I was immediately engaged because the descriptions of poor communication were so accurate and the prescriptions for healthy communication were so helpful. The chapter headings, Building Relationship, Leading Meetings, Experiencing Trust, Practicing Forgiveness, and Using Power, immediately invite readers in and are profound and practical. It is a book that should be required reading in nearly every congregation.

Duncan Ferguson