Positive Gossip
/A church community can be torn apart by negative gossip, but in the same way, it can be healed and drawn together in deeper unity through what one leader I know calls, "positive gossip". When you are with people and they speak negatively about someone, take time to speak out positive things you know about that person, even if there are not many. Gossip good news, gossip encouragement, link and network people by gossiping at least one good thing you heard them say about someone ...to that person.
Build bridges or love, reconciliation, and a culture of honor and encouragement by gossiping good news.
If you as a leader gossip good things about people, you will reap what you sow. And if you criticize and gossip negative things, you will sow a culture of division and mistrust that you will also reap one day.
Ephesians 4:29 says we are to "only speak what edifies, what imparts grace to the hearer..."