TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to the belief that great ideas can change the world. The ‘TED talk” below presents the idea of the ‘golden circle’ of leadership; it explains why companies like Apple, for example one-up their competitors because they start “with the Why.”
Apple doesn’t just tell you what they make (computers) or how (beautifully designed, intuitive); they tell you Why they do it: to challenge the status quo. That’s at the heart of Apple.
What’s the point of this post on a church blog, you ask.
For awhile now, we’ve been thinking about putting together submission guidelines for conference media, including this blog, the Conference website (wvumc.org), and the West Virginia United Methodist, the Conference newspaper. Here goes:
1. Tell the Why…
Go beyond who will be honored, speaking, supplies needed, and other logistical details. These are important, but if you want people to give to and/or attend what you are writing about, tell them why it matters.
There’s a great example in this month’s newspaper (due in mailboxes this week) about a Shalom Commissioning Service next week in Fairmont. I did a little research around the history of Shalom ministry in the UMC, and found a great ‘Tell the Why’ nugget.
Communities of Shalom came out of the 1992 Rodney King beating in Los Angeles and the riots that followed. I was not United Methodist at the time of these riots – I was in my early 20s, finding my way in the world – away from the church. I’m almost 42, married to a United Methodist Pastor, and had never heard this history. I’ve heard ‘Communities of Shalom’ talked about, and it sounded good…but that’s about it.
Researching the story was fun for me – and it’s my job of course as a journalist, editor, and storyteller to dig for these facts. I’m grateful for the opportunity to tell the why, in this case, a couple of sentences sum up the heart of the story for me:
We want to to make disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the World. Shalom communities help transform places divided by strife. It seeks to build community – because that’s what Jesus would want us to do.
What a story.
I hope now, that anytime you think of writing an article for the paper or any of our media (and we welcome it!), you will begin with the Why moment.
Part 2 of this series tomorrow, entitled Just Start.
Living Stones 