Unity comes through our connections

Paul tells us to consider others’ needs before our own. In all modesty, humility and lowliness of mind, we are to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2

One way of achieving this unity is through the connections we make with one another.

 Connections develop unity

Connection starts with a friendly, warm welcome that will eventually become a strong field of joy that rises up within your being, that this is a warm safe place. When someone is welcomed it is important not only to be sincerely glad to have someone, long time member or newcomer being told they are welcome. We all need this daily. It brings inner joy to our busy life.

Being present is vital to this. Don’t give a welcome and move on to the next person. Take a few minutes to listen to their tale. Each of us are neurologically wired to share the story of our gathering. 

Unconditional listening

Listen, but don’t feel a need to offer comment or judgment. Unfortunately, most people don’t know how to listen. They have a desire to fix us. Being able to express your story without comment is so important other than a short, “Well, we’re glad you’re here now.” The more we offer opportunities to hear a persons story the greater the connection grows. We really appreciate it when someone listens without sharing their similar experience. Just a nod or “Uhuh!” Is all that is needed. We really need some training on this subject.

I am happy when I am welcomed. Its a feeling that comes from deep within me when someone welcomes me in a genuine, friendly way. It shows they really care about my needs, listening intently and then giving any information on the meeting or where to go next.  It may be a bit strange to us, but when we  come together we have a deep need to tell the story of our day, of our journey. Listening to one’s story will reflect later in the meeting with a great sense of peace and enthusiasm. The feeling arises in you that you are so glad to came. It flows out of you to others making for a strong connection with others with joy in the Spirit. 

“Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card. How you leave others feeling after having an experience with you [your sincere welcome], becomes your trademark.” EP Business in Hospitality.

Priesthood are then responsible for providing the environment where the Holy Spirit can flourish and manifest itself for the people to follow. 

Let others share something about themselves if they are a visitor, as well as their journey to get to the meeting is important for very good reasons. It relieves the accumulated stress, concerns and doubts  built up during the day or even over the past few weeks. Often we are not aware of this deep need within ourselves to express our concerns, to remove the road dust of fear and stress. In Jesus day they washed ones feet. We miss the real meaning of this in their daily life. They really did wash away the road dust of the day, but it also gave them a feeling they are loved and will be provided for. Fear is wiped away.

“He, (Jesus Christ) desires His sheep not to be filled with fear, but with joyful anticipation because He desires to lose none of His sheep.” Pa

If there are more meetings to follow then a shorter welcome greeting is just as important as the initial welcome, so that each person feels again that their presence and voice is being heard and met. Meetings may start a few minutes late, but the electricity of the group will be felt by each person and by the leaders in anticipation of what will be shared as they are led by the Holy Spirit.

In modern times we don’t feel have the time for welcoming people in this manner, so it is overlooked as non-essential. We dispense with greetings as unimportant. Meetings must start on time. So unconsciously we are still fearful sheep carrying a sense of non-safety in our gatherings, which should not be. Joy, caring and unity of purpose is enhanced by a warm welcome. The welcome sets up positive feelings in us.

Hospitality is a very important part of the pre-worship experience. It sets a higher spiritual tone for what will follow.

 “A warm welcome is not just a welcoming smile, but it is a good start, you need to give your full attention to what is being said to you. The importance of a welcome cannot be understated. It is a form of personalization which is value for the relationship to last.” EP Business Hospitality. 

More businesses are learning the importance of friendly hospitality as a productive business model. We should do no less.

Welcome visitors in a larger setting, pointing out where to park especially if its at a new place and then directing them to where everyone is gathering. This happens a lot at weddings, but our body wants this whenever we gather, even many times in one day is acceptable.

Allow time for a brief period of visiting, so all arrivals share a few moments together. Doing so removes that initial tension that has built up in in us in our preparation and drive to get there on time. We need to tell our story. People have a deep inner instinct to share their journey. Sharing allows a person to relax and become present in the moment and ready for the rest of the days events with a relaxed, but excited feeling. Sharing a problem about the traffic or weather is not complaining. It’s just something that is part of the human anatomy that wants to share with another human who listens intently without a need to fix us.

Finally, someone who knows the group structure should be able tp look around and know when it is finally time to start. The greeter then begins with warm welcome. A formal acknowledgement of this time and perhaps those who worked to bring it together, the purpose and thanksgiving to the Creator.

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This empowers the group to work together at a much high spiritual level. Why? Because everyone feels present in the moment, everyone likes to feel they are heard, they open up and become a unified group. This welcoming period can be shortened if you know time is limited. After each friendly welcoming in this manner we really become connected to each other in the very deepest part of our being. We give ourselves fully to this groups purpose. Connection with others follows a different set of rules. It is not an ideology. It is not just a good idea. There is a genuine electrical field generated in group dynamics that is felt by each person in the room when time is allowed for welcoming and listening to another’s story.

To do this we have to have a sense of inner peace.. Suddenly we realize this is going to be a good day, a good meeting, If someone really has prepared to welcome us we feel us a greater measure of joy and we will be greatly inspired. This is your physical neurology reseting itself back to a close connection with your friends.