The Water Cooler

 Gossip, news, or just good conversation---you can get all of these at an office ‘water cooler’ session.  A lot of offices are not like what we see on television with an actual water cooler in a break area, but generally, each workplace has some sort of congregation place where the employees, well, congregate.  All kinds of talk occurs in a water cooler session, and can range from just two, to many, co-workers.  Sometimes these meetings can be productive from a company point of view as they can release stress, be the source of creative thinking and conversation, as well as maybe making a buck or two off the condiments several companies have for sale in these areas.  Relationships can begin, or grow, at the water cooler. 

 Okay, Mac, what has this got to do with anything spiritual?  Well, let me tell you how I can suggest that. 

 Consider our church as a workplace.  Not the physical location, but the overall group of people who consider themselves to be part of our church.  Next, look at midweek services, Sunday services, house churches, Bible studies and, last but not least, individual Christians getting with other Christians for the same ‘workplace’.  Now you see where I am going. 

A water cooler session needs no leader.  It needs no structure.  It really needs no rules.  It only needs people.  When people get together, they talk.  When Christians in our church get together, a lot of times the talk turns to spiritual matters, sometimes it does not.  And that is okay--- as long as at least SOME times God is discussed in some manner.  Water cooler meetings can be very productive for our ‘company’, the Church.  We meet together sometimes to release stress.  We study our Bible at some of these meetings, and listen to preachers at others.  They can be the source of tremendous creating thinking and conversations.  Water cooler sessions have been the origin of many new relationships, and older ones have matured. 

 I am not suggesting that our church serve only as a setting for many water cooler sessions, by no means. What I am advocating is the fact that our Church is still a company, of sorts, one that requires funds, rules and structure to operate.  But the “off-site”, or water cooler sessions, within this company can serve as a tremendous boost to both the ‘company’ and the people within it.  And they can be free of laws, leaders and policies. 

 When you meet at your next “water cooler session”, let me suggest this:  talk.  Talk about anything, everything.  Gossip even (but keep this one to a minimum as the Bible warns about gossip---if you MUST gossip, gossip about God and not other people).  Grow a relationship---don’t let your talk be superficial.  Get to know someone in your ‘company’ a little bit better.  And, another piece of advice—lay off the doughnuts.  J    These suggestions of mine are not rules—do anything you want next time, but if you can, remember the real reason you are meeting at your water cooler in the first place.  You’re taking a break from the bustle of the world, your relaxing from the sometimes difficult messages you have received from the company preachers.  Let your hair down and be yourself; or even out of yourself, if that is what it takes. 

 Our CEO encourages His employees to congregate next to the water cooler.  He knows His ‘company’ will be better for His ‘employees’ when they are relaxed, informed and loved.  So, go get a bagel (fat free, of course), a cup of coffee, or nothing at all, except maybe some good old fellowship and relaxation.