A few years ago I heard a city planner talk about the need for community. Too much urban planning was sterile and uninviting. The planner suggested that homes need to be close to each other and should include a verandah.
The idea? People will stop and talk, come and visit, drink juice and chat. Sit on your verandah and see who arrives!
So tonight, instead of sitting in a church building and holding a meeting, we sat on our front porch. At the end of the evening the comment was: this is better than being around a table in a church office!
But, during the evening we waved to neighbours, watched people walking and had one of our neighbours come and chat for a few minutes. Thankfully the meeting could be interrupted.
And perhaps that is a parable of how relational business should be done. Do the business but don’t overlook the people around you. They are probably as much a part of your business as the management side of charts, and minutes and motions!!