A Time to be Silent, a Time to Speak

One of the skills I have developed over the past few years is to know when to keep my mouth shut. With six people in the office who all bring different perspectives, experiences, and opinions to the table, sometimes there are discussions that can get confusing. Everyone has a different opinion or view of the situation and I have learned when to voice mine and when I just need to be quiet and let only a few voices speak. This does not mean my voice is not heard, it just means I have learned to let the chaos calm down before I speak. Another skill I have gained through working here is being more aware of the tone of my voice and speaking in a more pastoral tone. What I mean by that is being more aware of how I sound to other people and expressing what I have to say in a way that does not override what they have to say. It is a skill that I consider important within ministry because, as Steve says, people do not remember what you say but they will remember how you made them feel.