Purpose Not Description

[Gatherings – I]

What is it you get together to do?

You know, the coffee with friends, the women’s gathering over dinner, the strategy meeting about that program, or the work meeting about the thing.

Why gather at all? What’s the point?

If your answer is a description, your purpose is foggy. And if your answer is to explain what you do, that’s not a helpful purpose. That’s probably a clue into why you are unfulfilled, dissatisfied, or frustrated with the time you invest (as an attender or host).

Effective gatherings can always name a clear goal in a word or short phrase.

“We get together to talk” is not a purpose.
“We are coming up with strategy” is not a clear goal.
“We like fellowshipping and building community” is a description.

The first step to edifying gatherings, meetings, even dinner parties, is to be able to name the goal upfront.

[h/t Priya Parker. She’s a genius in the area]