As the Crow Flies or Alternate Routes?

I have a friend who is the queen of alternate routes.  Whenever we used to travel together, she was frequently suggesting we take an alternate route to our destination.   Alternate routes were never the shortest or the quickest route.  Although they were usually the more interesting route.  One particular time, however, our alternate route turned out to be a little challenging.  After 7 hours on the road, we found ourselves as far away from our destination as we were when we had left home.  It ended up taking us 12 hours to make a 4-hr trip.  I confess, by the time we checked into the hotel I was a little cranky.  It didn't help that we arrived so late that the swimming pool and hot tub were closed for the evening.   

I have noticed that there is a phenomenon that occurs frequently in congregational ministry.  There are folks who prefer 'alternate routes' when it comes to communication or getting things done.  Rather than dealing directly with the person with whom they have a concern, they will engage a third person to serve as a go-between.  I call that "playing geometry" because the technical term for using a third person as a buffer in dealing with another person is called "triangulation."   Sometimes it is a matter of trying to get something done without directly asking the person you want to actually do the job.  You drop a hint to a third party who drops a hint to a fourth party who then lobbies on your behalf with the party you want to deal with.  One of the members of our faith community calls that "back-dooring."   Another says it is like going to Sandusky to get to Fremont.  For those of you reading this not from my geographic area - it is like leaving Detroit, MI and going to Atlanta, GA to get to Chicago, IL.  While that may make sense to some airlines (although I cannot imagine how) when it comes to congregational life it is toxic.

Alternate routes, whether it is in communication or as a way to "work the system" in order to get our way, when engaging in life together as a community only serve to increase anxiety, create hostility, spread mistrust and misunderstanding, and undermine healthy community. 

When I was a kid I used to ask my dad how far away someplace was and he would tell me it was so far "as the crow flies."  Once I got old enough to realize that our car needed roads and going by road was usually not as short as "as the crow flies," I would ask "but how far is it, really."  Still, I grew up knowing that the shortest distance between two points was what my dad called "as the crow flies."

When it comes to relationships and communications in a community "as the crow flies" is the ONLY way to go.  First of all, it is the most respectful and Christ-like way to deal with one another.  Second, it minimizes musunderstandings and miscommunication.  Third, it is the way to weave a community together with integrity.  Finally, it is generally the shortest, fastest, and most effective way to accomplish tasks and build faithful, relationships.

So if you are one of those people who enjoy alternate routes - when it comes to traveling, have at it.  You may just find a great antique shop or that perfect romantic restaurant.  But when it comes to life together as a community, especially a spiritual community, always go "as the crow flies" directly from point A to point B.

Go ahead - SOAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings -

PK