Council discussions, confidentiality

[namwob]

I am searching for a specific conference talk, or perhaps it was a worldwide leadership training discussion, which discussed principles of discussing individuals in a council setting. As I recall, the instruction went something like this: Place an empty chair in the circle and image that person present as you discuss that individual. That way, you can be assured that your comments are loving, free from criticism and in keeping with principles of confidentiality. Does this ring any bells with anyone? If you can point me to such a source, it would be really appreciated.

[Vaticanus]

I would suggest reading "Counseling with Councils" by Ballard. It goes into great detail on running an effective and when necessary confidential meeting.

[RMGuy]

I have sat in a lot of councils over the years. Some good, some bad, some meh. With the number of hours that your typical ward leaders spends in meetings making them productive and beneficial is important.

Yet if there is one lesson I have taken from my experience with meetings and councils in the church it is this:

That generally if the individuals present in the council spent the time in actually working on the project, or helping the individual/family as opposed to sitting in chairs at church talking about the issue/individual/family, everyone would be a lot better off and further ahead. Not always, but in my experience, more times than not.

-RM