This February, hand your congregation a beautiful bouquet of appreciation!

A couple was celebrating their anniversary over dinner. The wife asked her husband, “Why don’t you ever say, ‘I love you’ anymore?” He replied grudgingly, “I already told you that I loved you – on our wedding day. If that ever changes I’ll let you know.” Perhaps that was their final anniversary dinner.

Someone said, “Appreciation is the language of love.” Quite often we who are energetically advocating change in our churches fail to communicate appreciation. We sometimes tell ourselves, “Of course my church knows that I love and appreciate them! Don’t they see me day after day working on their behalf? Would I devote myself in this way to a church I didn’t care about?”

Our churches may see that we are committed to our calling. They may be impressed by our faithfulness in Christian service on their behalf. And still they may have an ache in the heart, a yearning to hear us say that we love them and why.

Appreciative Inquiry is a wonderful tool for church leaders who are developing a leadership style that accentuates the positive. Mother used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Appreciative Inquiry helps leaders and members in churches over 40 to say nice things to and about one another. This doesn’t mean ignoring glaring weaknesses and problems. It does mean, however, that leaders help churches choose a positive focus and build on strengths while seeking renewal.

We’ve found a biblical basis for this attitude and approach. It’s in Philippians 4:8.
“Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

This month we help you see your church over 40 through eyes of love. Read the book review to learn about one approach to using Appreciative Inquiry in a church over 40. Follow the web link to learn how Appreciative Inquiry began, and how its use is transforming churches.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35).