Are you sitting comfortably ...

... then I'll begin!

Comfort and listening so often go hand in hand.  Story telling in all its forms is best done with audience that is physically at ease - whether the medium for the story telling is film, television or the spoken word. 

Most of us make a cup of tea (or similar) before watching a favourite television programme.  When we go to the cinema we always ask those we go with "where do you want to sit?".  When we meet up with friends we always ensure that they are comfortable before we start talking and sharing our stories - "would you like a drink?", "shall I take your coat?", "you look cold, sit near the fire", "have you eaten or would you like something?".  Hospitality and story telling, in all its forms, go hand in hand.

When we are learning the physical comfort of our environment is a key factor in the learning experience. The right temperature, sufficient light, comfortable chair, a table or desk, a good view of the screen or speaker, adequate comfort breaks with access to refreshments all aid our ability to learn and take on board information.  The way we engage with new information and our attitude to that is very often shaped by the environment we are in when we are learning that information.

I am currently on an course called Mission Shaped Ministry which is essentially about Fresh Expressions of Church.  The course is interesting and the materials and speakers have been excellent.  The course is being held primarily in the basement bar of a local pub.  The venue is dark, cold, the chairs are not comfortable and the tables are not big enough to easily use the course materials, not every seat enables the learner to see the speaker or the screen.  Some are excited that a course about being Church in a culturally relevant way is being held in a pub. I would prefer to be more comfortable so that I can fully engage with the materials, the speakers, the discussions and group work. 

People are all different and ideas about comfort and venues which are fit for purpose will vary.  I wonder whether common ground about hospitality and welcome are more easily established .  I would think that any "Church" whether a fresh expression or otherwise would want to model hospitality and welcome to everyone as a core value.  Surely how we respond to the wellbeing of those around us says alot about who we are and what motivates us?