One of the lessons I have learned along the way is never write something in survey I would never be willing to say in person to either the organizers of the event or to the professor directly.
Part of my current position requires me (can I say 'forces' me?) to read the results of surveys of all kinds. We ask our students for feedback for numerous reasons. Its a good way to measure if we are being effective in the service that we provide. Its also part of the 'evidence' that we collect to share with our accrediting institution.
The difficult part for me is that no matter how hard or to what great lengths we go to make sure everything works fine, there is always someone that is never satisfied. 98 percent of the responders can find good and there is always that slim 2 percent margin that finds it all wrong. That, in all reality, is just life. A small percentage can only see the glass half empty.
The unfortunate thing is sometimes I read some very unkind comments made by people who I truly believe are called to be caring individuals. The only solace I take from those sorts of remarks is that everyone of our students is actually going into a line of work where they will be evaluated, criticized and picked apart every single day of their ministry life. I suppose its a subtle way of pay back that will come their way.
I am amazed at times how unkind supposedly transformed people can be at times. The witness that we give is not platitudes of God speak, our witness wear or draping ourselves in doctrine and dogma. Our witness is simple kindness. Whether it is responding in a survey, how we treat the gate agent when our flight is delay or cancelled, how we respond to a slow waitress or an erratic driver on the road.
The evidence of the holy life is not you saying you are but the reflection you give off. Even when you are having a bad day and you need to vent. Its still not an excuse to spoil your witness.
I have been pondering the words of Paul these past twenty four hours: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:27
I am stuck on the word 'kind'. I am doing a self overhaul to make sure I am reflecting this fruit of the spirit in all I do. Whether if its in an email, a social media post or my personal interactions with others.
Someone is always watching. Someone will always remember. Each moment is an opportunity to extend the kingdom or squelch the spirit.
God helps us to pursue kindness more and more each day.
Part of my current position requires me (can I say 'forces' me?) to read the results of surveys of all kinds. We ask our students for feedback for numerous reasons. Its a good way to measure if we are being effective in the service that we provide. Its also part of the 'evidence' that we collect to share with our accrediting institution.
The difficult part for me is that no matter how hard or to what great lengths we go to make sure everything works fine, there is always someone that is never satisfied. 98 percent of the responders can find good and there is always that slim 2 percent margin that finds it all wrong. That, in all reality, is just life. A small percentage can only see the glass half empty.
The unfortunate thing is sometimes I read some very unkind comments made by people who I truly believe are called to be caring individuals. The only solace I take from those sorts of remarks is that everyone of our students is actually going into a line of work where they will be evaluated, criticized and picked apart every single day of their ministry life. I suppose its a subtle way of pay back that will come their way.
I am amazed at times how unkind supposedly transformed people can be at times. The witness that we give is not platitudes of God speak, our witness wear or draping ourselves in doctrine and dogma. Our witness is simple kindness. Whether it is responding in a survey, how we treat the gate agent when our flight is delay or cancelled, how we respond to a slow waitress or an erratic driver on the road.
The evidence of the holy life is not you saying you are but the reflection you give off. Even when you are having a bad day and you need to vent. Its still not an excuse to spoil your witness.
I have been pondering the words of Paul these past twenty four hours: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:27
I am stuck on the word 'kind'. I am doing a self overhaul to make sure I am reflecting this fruit of the spirit in all I do. Whether if its in an email, a social media post or my personal interactions with others.
Someone is always watching. Someone will always remember. Each moment is an opportunity to extend the kingdom or squelch the spirit.
God helps us to pursue kindness more and more each day.
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