Relating the Mission of God to Communication Skills

Introduction

In the context of missional careers, communication plays a foundational role in providing support, guidance, and transformation within various settings. Whether in pastoral care, community development, behavioral health, community health, or faith-based social work, effective communication allows missional leaders to connect with individuals and communities, fostering healing, empowerment, and growth. A missional leader is not only a communicator but also a guide, bringing clarity, compassion, and collaboration to those in need. As leaders navigate diverse challenges—ranging from spiritual crises to community development or health advocacy—they must embody the principles of clear, empathetic, and persuasive communication. The Bible is filled with stories where Jesus, through his words and actions, communicated empathy, compassion, empowerment, and guidance. These principles are central to the mission of pastoral care and chaplaincy, community development, behavioral health, and social work.

By examining both the behavioral principles of communication and corresponding biblical illustrations, we can explore how effective communication leads to healing, transformation, and unity. Whether dealing with individual crises, organizing community initiatives, or advocating for better health and social welfare, missional leaders must use communication not only as a tool but as a means of embodying God’s love and purpose in the world.

1. Compassionate Communication

In pastoral care and chaplaincy, communication must be clear, direct, and compassionate, as it aims to offer spiritual guidance during difficult moments. The missional leader conveys God’s comfort and encouragement, reflecting His presence through thoughtful and supportive communication. This involves being present in the moment, listening actively, and offering counsel that is grounded in biblical truth. Empathetic communication helps individuals feel heard and understood, fostering a sense of spiritual and emotional support that can lead to healing.

Biblical Illustration
The context of the story of the faith of a Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7:24-30) is important because, at the time, Gentiles were not typically seen as part of God’s covenant people, and the Jewish community often viewed them with disdain. The woman’s boldness and persistence in seeking Jesus’ help challenge the prevailing societal norms, showing that faith and need transcend cultural barriers. In this passage, a Gentile woman approaches Jesus, seeking healing for her demon-possessed daughter. Initially, Jesus appears to hesitate, responding with what seems to be a challenging statement about the children of Israel and the Gentiles. However, the woman persists, demonstrating great faith and humility. Jesus, impressed by her faith, grants her request, healing her daughter. In this cultural context, Jesus’ interaction with the woman highlights the power of compassionate communication, even with those who were considered outsiders.

Application to Missional Careers in Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy

• Compassionate Listening in Crisis
  Pastoral care workers must listen attentively to those in crisis, responding with both clarity and compassion. Just as Jesus responded to the woman’s faith with compassion, leaders should practice attentive listening, offering spiritual and practical support.
• Crisis Counseling and Spiritual Guidance
  In chaplaincy, engaging with individuals facing trauma, grief, or other challenges requires clear and gentle communication. Like Jesus, missional leaders can guide individuals with words that heal, providing insight and hope rooted in biblical truth.

2. Collaborative Persuasion

Clear and persuasive communication is essential in community development to mobilize resources and foster partnerships. The missional leader must align stakeholders with a shared vision, using communication as a tool to inspire unity and drive collaborative action. This involves not only articulating the vision clearly but also fostering an environment of trust and cooperation, where all participants feel valued and motivated to contribute to the greater good.

Biblical Illustration
James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, ask Jesus (Mark 10:35-45) to grant them positions of honor in His kingdom. Jesus uses this opportunity to teach them about the true nature of leadership—servant leadership. He explains that greatness in the Kingdom of God is not achieved by wielding power over others but by serving them. At the time, the Jewish society was under Roman rule, and power structures were deeply hierarchical. People sought honor and status, often equating leadership with power and dominance. Jesus flips this paradigm by emphasizing that leadership is about service. His message was countercultural, challenging not just the disciples but the broader societal norms of authority and dominance. This conversation illustrates how persuasive communication can redirect human desires toward a higher, collective vision for service and humility.

Application to Missional Careers in Community Development

• Mobilizing Volunteers for Social Initiatives
  Just as Jesus used persuasive communication to teach His disciples about the nature of His Kingdom, leaders in community development must inspire others by emphasizing shared values and goals.
• Promoting Sustainable Solutions
  Effective community leaders employ persuasive communication to align diverse groups around common goals. Just as Jesus communicated the values of the Kingdom of God, missional leaders can use persuasive communication to inspire commitment to sustainable community projects.

3. Supportive Clarity

In behavioral health and rehabilitation, clear and supportive communication is vital for guiding individuals toward healing. The missional leader provides not just understanding but also clarity in communicating hope and recovery. This clarity helps individuals understand the steps they must take in their healing journey while maintaining an empathetic and supportive presence that encourages emotional and spiritual recovery.

Biblical Illustration
Jesus heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment (Mark 7:31-37). He takes the man aside, touches his ears, and speaks directly to him, saying, “Be opened.” The man’s hearing is restored, and he begins to speak clearly. In the ancient world, individuals with disabilities were often marginalized and excluded from full participation in society. Jesus’ actions in healing the deaf man were not only miraculous but also socially significant. By restoring his ability to hear and speak, Jesus demonstrated that the Kingdom of God includes all people, regardless of their physical limitations, and that clarity in communication can bring both physical and spiritual healing. Jesus’ action here shows how clear and direct communication can bring transformation.

Application to Missional Careers in Behavioral Health and Rehabilitation

• Therapeutic Dialogue in Counseling
  Missional leaders in rehabilitation settings must be skilled in clear, compassionate communication, ensuring that their guidance is accessible and healing. Like Jesus, they should use words that lead to restoration and understanding, offering hope to those in recovery.
• Mentoring in Recovery Programs
  Leaders can model Jesus’ approach to communication by maintaining clarity while offering emotional support. This fosters trust, enabling individuals to process their struggles and step toward healing with confidence.

4. Advocacy through Empowerment

Effective communication in community health and advocacy involves sharing health information clearly and in a culturally sensitive manner. The missional leader empowers individuals to take informed action toward better health by providing accessible knowledge. This approach helps to transform communities by fostering informed decision-making and encouraging individuals to advocate for their own well-being.

Biblical Illustration
In the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-34), Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, which starts small but grows into a large plant. The parable illustrates that small actions or ideas can lead to significant, transformative changes. The mustard seed was a common agricultural product in Palestine, and its small size contrasted sharply with the large tree it could become. The image of a mustard seed growing into something significant was a relatable metaphor for the people of Jesus’ time. This can be applied to community health: empowering individuals to take small, informed steps toward improving their health can lead to larger, collective transformations within a community. By taking small steps, individuals can ripple out to affect larger community-wide improvements.

Application to Missional Careers in Community Health & Advocacy

• Health Education and Advocacy
  Like Jesus, missional leaders can bridge gaps by offering clear health messages that are culturally relevant, empowering individuals and communities to improve their well-being.
• Community Health Partnerships
  Advocating for health initiatives requires clear, persuasive communication. Leaders must present health information in ways that engage diverse populations and inspire collective action, just as Jesus used simple yet powerful communication to inspire His followers.

5. Collaborative Support

Social work and faith community service demand collaborative communication to meet the needs of individuals and families. The missional leader connects people to the necessary resources and support systems while fostering a sense of belonging and community. This communication is about building relationships and networks that provide holistic support for individuals in need, addressing their emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Biblical Illustration:
During Jesus’ time, illness and demonic possession were often viewed through a spiritual lens, and those afflicted were marginalized. The culture of hospitality in Jewish society meant that homes, especially those of prominent individuals like Peter, became places of refuge and support. After healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus goes on to heal many sick and demon-possessed people who gather at Peter’s house (Mark 1:29-34). Jesus’ willingness to meet the needs of the community highlights the importance of collaborative support—individuals coming together to address the needs of the vulnerable. Jesus’ actions exemplified not just individual healing but also the power of community support in addressing collective needs.

Application to Missional Careers in Social Work & Faith Community Services

• Connecting Resources and Support
  Social workers and missional leaders in faith community services can model Jesus’ example of providing care to individuals in need. By fostering a network of support, they can address the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the community.
• Building Stronger Communities
  Like Jesus, who drew together people from various walks of life, missional leaders can bring people together through shared purpose and collaboration, promoting unity and healing within the community.

Conclusion

The activities of pastoral care, community development, behavioral health, community health, and social work illustrate the pivotal role that communication plays in missional leadership. Through empathetic communication, collaborative persuasion, supportive clarity, and advocacy through empowerment, missional leaders are able to navigate complex challenges and foster positive change. These behaviors are not just practical strategies but also deeply spiritual acts that reflect the character of Christ in the world today. Each example from the life of Jesus provides valuable lessons on how leaders can guide others, whether through the effective communication skills of listening, persuading, healing, or empowering.

Curt Watke, PhD

Dr. Curt Watke is a distinguished missiologist whose three-plus-decade-long career has significantly impacted Christian mission work in North America, particularly in under-reached and challenging regions. Holding a Ph.D. in Evangelism and Missions, Dr. Watke has focused on bridging cultural gaps and fostering sustainable Christian communities by developing innovative strategies that address contemporary challenges like globalization, urbanization, and religious pluralism. His emphasis on cultural sensitivity and contextualization in mission work is reflected in his collaborative writings, including notable works such as “Ministry Context Exploration: Understanding North American Cultures” and “Starting Reproducing Congregations.” Beyond his writing, Dr. Watke is a sought-after speaker and educator, lecturing at seminaries and conferences worldwide, and his teachings continue to inspire and equip new generations of missional leaders. His enduring legacy is marked by unwavering dedication to the mission of God and a profound influence on missional thought and practice.  Dr. Watke serves as President and Professor of Evangelism & Missiology at Missional University.