Pistol Gripped & Killing The Art Of Conversation

The art of having a good conversation is dying and I'm a contributor to its death. Are you?

A conversation is verbal communication between two or more people. From the Garden til present day people have been involved in verbal back and forth. For the most part this has been unhindered. However, in today's Smartphone world in which we live the art of conversation is now hindered perhaps like no other. Sure, I've seen the memes of the 1950's where trains are filled with people who have their heads in the newspapers yet how many times do you see people with their heads in newspapers in meetings, counseling sessions, discipleship meeting, elders meetings, inside people's homes for dinner, during mid week Small Group, and in one on one conversation? Not many. Phones however are different. In today's meetings and life on life moments an iPhone or Android is pistol gripped and always at the ready. I've found that my phone — as a result of the data I enter into it — tells me where I need to be, when I need to be there, who I need to meet with, what I need to bring with me, etc etc etc. I no longer have a watch (I lost it) so my phone has become a clock too. I had many wise professors at seminary (who are all pastors themselves) and one of them used to say, "pastoral ministry is people ministry and if you don't love people then don't do pastoral ministry". That has stuck with me and I agree wholeheartedly and I would simply add that the moments of communication with people are significantly hindered when we have our hands on and head in our phones. The crux of it all is this: By being drawn to our phones we are drawn away from people and that is not loving or serving people like we ought. I think it's time to turn from having my phone be the sole vehicle that tells me the time and where I need to be. I resolve — and seriously, hold me to it people — to not contribute to the death of conversation any longer by having my phone pistol gripped.

For me it's time for a cheap watch, a moleskin diary, and a diligence to love people by being present in conversation.

The art of having a good conversation is dying and by God's grace I'm not going to be a contributor to it anymore. Are you?