Slipping Quietly into Nothingness . . .

I have mentioned before how individuals and groups slip quietly into situations unaware of what has happened. Research shows families that eat supper together around the dinner table are healthier. Can it be possible for it to be also true for congregations? Not that a congregation must eat together but can any congregation impact the community when the congregation is together for only an hour or two a week and most of that time they are sitting and listening? Can they really know each other? Is it possible that one of the reasons GSMCOC has no leaders is we do not come in contact with each other except for those one or two hours each week of sitting in the same room. My activities director will facilitate togetherness. We do not associate so we do not know each other.  

 

Many years ago I took some psychology courses in post graduate curricula. We reviewed a study of how groups and individuals respond differently to the same situation. An example: individuals applying for a job were escorted individually into a room to fill out the application. After a period of time smoke was introduced into the air duct. Without exception when the individual saw the smoke they reported it to the office personnel. A second situation was created when individuals were placed into a room as a group. When there was a predetermined number present applications were passed out and the individuals filled them out.  When the smoke began to come out of the air ducts almost half of the groups did nothing. Researchers concluded that the members of the group provided support to each other. When each member saw the others not doing anything they took that as support for not doing anything.

 

I can attest to that. I was in a meeting in a Los Angeles hotel when the fire alarm went off. We looked at each other, no one moved so the meeting continued as did the alarm. When we noticed the fire trucks arriving we did not leave until a fireman came into the room and asked us to leave.

 

When nothing happens, when prayers go unanswered, when there is no growth we look around, we see no one questioning so that tells us the situation is OK. We must question why prayers go unanswered. We must understand why our friends continue to die even though we say that Jesus was talking to us when he said anything you ask in my name, that I will do. We have to question.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"When Life Gives You Scurvy, Make Lemonade."