John is a member of...
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John is a member of our church council with many years of experience working with adolescents. He loves to quote the old proverb, "You can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar." He is lavish in giving praise and affirmation. As a result, these young people are always ready to go the second mile because they want to live up to John's image of who they are and what they are able to do. John's approach has been very successful.
Another member of the church council, Marybeth, was trying to recruit volunteers for various parish activities. She was angry about getting so little response and was ready to give a scolding talk to the congregation. John suggested that she should instead add up the number of volunteer hours that had actually been contributed during the past year and praise the members of the parish. Marybeth was surprised when she discovered the total number of volunteer hours that had been contributed. With a changed outlook she presented this information to the congregation with praise, and then asked for volunteers for specific projects. The results were very positive.
Paul uses a similar tactic in our Colossians text. He praises the people for their faithfulness, and then says that they are always in his prayers "so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work."
--Kaul
Another member of the church council, Marybeth, was trying to recruit volunteers for various parish activities. She was angry about getting so little response and was ready to give a scolding talk to the congregation. John suggested that she should instead add up the number of volunteer hours that had actually been contributed during the past year and praise the members of the parish. Marybeth was surprised when she discovered the total number of volunteer hours that had been contributed. With a changed outlook she presented this information to the congregation with praise, and then asked for volunteers for specific projects. The results were very positive.
Paul uses a similar tactic in our Colossians text. He praises the people for their faithfulness, and then says that they are always in his prayers "so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work."
--Kaul
