Understanding The Needs Of Your People, Caring For Minorities And Individuals
An old hill farming crofter
trudges several miles through freezing snow to his local and very remote chapel
for Sunday service. No-one else is there, aside from the clergyman.
"I'm not sure it's worth
proceeding with the service - might we do better to go back to our warm homes
and a hot drink?" asks the clergyman, inviting a mutually helpful reaction
from his audience of one.
"Well, I'm just a simple
farmer," says the old crofter, "But when I go to feed my herd, and if
only one beast turns up, I sure don't leave it hungry."
So the clergyman, feeling
somewhat ashamed, delivers his service - all the bells and whistles, hymns and
readings, lasting a good couple of hours - finishing proudly with the fresh
observation that no matter how small the need, our duty remains. And he thanks
the old farmer for the lesson he has learned.
"Was that okay?"
asks the clergyman, as the two set off home.
"Well I'm just a simple
farmer," says the old crofter, "But when I go to feed my herd, and if
only one beast turns up, I sure don't force it to eat what I brought for the
whole herd..."
From which we see the extra
lesson, that while our duty remains regardless of the level of need, we have
the additional responsibility to ensure that we adapt our delivery according to
the requirements of our audience.