Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

I’ve spent quite a bit of time editing people’s writing: In my MFA program, while working on a ‘zine for Episcopal young adults, and now in my job at Trinity Wall Street. It’s not always easy. A person’s writing is his or her creation, and it’s not easy to hear criticism to make changes to something you care about. At its best, editing can be a collaborative process.

The process of editing ultimately offers lessons for any creative collaboration. In many endeavors within the church, there must be some who creates the first draft of the essay, the budget, or the liturgy, and others who critique, suggest, and sometimes criticize. Collaboration requires self-confidence, empathy, the ability to communicate clearly, honesty, and humility. Whether writing an essay for the newsletter, creating a budget, or planning a fundraiser, these are some guiding principles:

• Make sure everyone understands the process at the beginning. When editing, for example, I generally try to mention that I will be editing the submission, and that I’ll let the writer see the changes before I print them. This way, it doesn’t come as a surprise that I’ve made changes.
• Communicate. If you are offering criticism, it’s important to explain why you think changes need to be made. Try to show how these changes make the work better. And as the recipient, if you disagree with the criticism, make an argument why.
• Be humble. Both the creator and the reviewer need to be humble. Even if you’re brilliant and experienced, you have much to learn. Consider the other person’s suggestions seriously, even if they aren’t easy to hear. And even if it takes work to implement a suggestion, give it a try if you are able. You may find that you like it.
• Be generous and assume the best. Give the other person the benefit of the doubt. Try to see what they are trying to say, and assume they are always acting in good faith, and trying to make the best thing in the service of God.
• Have empathy. All of this really comes down to doing your best to understand where the other person is coming from. It doesn’t do much good to talk if no one is listening. We can’t express ourselves perfectly, and we do well to help each other speak, and to put our egos aside and listen to each other. The world will be better if we do, and so will our art, our budgets, and our fundraisers.