Killing the Rumor Machine

By Doug Franklin April 5, 2011

Rumors can really hurt ministries. They start because someone’s expectations are not met, and they speed because we love to tell others how we have been hurt. We hate to confront and have honest conversations about real issues, so we make rumors. Rumors can ruin ministries and lives. They can drive people away from God and they rip communities apart. We all say we hate rumors but we all spread them. So how does a group of believers kill the rumor machine? This will never be easy and it will take maturity but rumors die when community is built. So the key is to focus on developing a vibrant community. Community is created by mixing time with fellowship. It’s not a hard formula to remember but it is hard to find time and it takes real leadership to have venerable fellowship. I notice that when communities are having real problems they often schedule another meeting to talk about the problem instead of throwing a party where everyone can get to know each other on a deeper level. It would actually help more to have a social gathering than a knock-out church meeting. We forget the power of “liking” each other. When we engage each other on a human level we build trust and trust is an essential element in building fellowship. When community is built and a rumor starts, people will jump on a rumor and say, “that’s not true I know him/her and that is not who they are.” Rumor killed!