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The Pinecone
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September 2015
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f r om Don J oh n s on , K i r b y P i n e s Chap l a i n
Chaplain’s COrner
Communication is very important but
can at times be catastrophic. What we
say is not always what others hear,
and what they hear is not always what
we say. Here’s a story that effectively
illustrates this issue.
The Colonel issued the following
directive to his officers: “Tomorrow
evening at approximately 2000 hours
Halley’s comet will be visible in this
area, an event which occurs only once
every 75 years. Have the men fall out
in the battalion area in fatigues and
I will explain this rare phenomenon
to them. In case of rain, we will not
be able to see anything, so assemble
the men in the theater and I will show
them films of it.”
This directive was passed on through
the Chain of Command in a strange and
incorrect way.
Executive
officer
to
company
commander: “By order of the colonel.
Tomorrow at 2000 hours, Halley’s
comet will appear above the battalion
area. If it rains, fall the men out in
fatigues, then march to the theater
where this rare phenomenon will take
place, something which occurs only
once every 75 years.”
Company commander to lieutenant:
“By order of the colonel in fatigues
at 2000 hours tomorrow evening, the
phenomenal Halley’s comet will appear
in the theater. In case of rain in the
battalion area, the colonel will give
another order, something which occurs
once every 75 years.”
Crisis in Communication
Lieutenant to sergeant: “Tomorrow
at 2000 hours, the colonel will appear
in the theater with Halley’s comet,
something which happens every 75
years. If it rains, the colonel will order
the comet into the battalion area.”
Sergeant to squad: “When it rains
tomorrow at 2000 hours, the
phenomenal 75 year old general Halley,
accompanied by the colonel, will drive
his comet through the battalion area
theater in fatigues.”
It reminds me of Norman Rockwell’s
painting with numerous rows of people
speaking into each others’ ear, passing
along what was said by the first person
in the chain. When the message got
back to the one who had initiated
it, there was no resemblance to the
original saying. Too often that happens.
Transferring thoughts can lead to great
misunderstanding.
September 10th
Dan Johnson
Former Pastor,
Author and Speaker
September 17th
Reverend Les Helton
Collierville
First Baptist
September 24th
Phillip Slate
Woodland Hills Church of
Christ Mission Coordinator
September Vesper Services
•
6:30pm
•
Performing Arts Center
September 3rd
Reverend Jerry Hilbun
Retired United Methodist Pastor
Director of Louisiana Retired
Ministers Home Board
This happens not only personally
but in the conveyance of things
by those in leadership positions.
Sometimes even the initial directive
may be misleading and grows worse
at each level of communication. We
all know too many examples of this.
Can we continue to say one thing
and do another? Can we lie either
intentionally or accidentally and
believe we can get away with it?
Remember the pride which was felt
when it was said, “He (or she) was a
man of his word.”? Those who stand
on what they say and mean it is true
of an increasing smaller number of
persons. When we say what we don’t
mean and we don’t mean what we
say, our culture cannot long survive
such a shaky standard.
In His great Sermon On The Mount,
Jesus declared, “But let your ‘Yes’ be
‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever
is more than these is from the evil one.”
Psalms 19:14 is a fabulous guide for
us: “Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be acceptable in
Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my
redeemer.”
We should avoid communication chaos
everywhere we can!
Let’s get the message straight! Let’s
communicate it correctly! Let’s start
now!
Till next time,
Don Johnson,
Kirby Pines Chaplain