Both the grapevine (the unofficial communication channels of your ministry) and meetings (the official communication channels of your ministry) are
necessary and have their pros and cons.

▪ The grapevine is faster and better listened to.
▪ The grapevine loses context—in the repetition of details, some are dropped and some are embellished
▪ Encourage your staff to think of the grapevine as just part of the story—there is almost always more to the story.
▪ A healthy grapevine passes on helpful information and encouragement. A toxic grapevine is the main channel for gossip and rumors. Root out the toxic grapevine by addressing the individual who starts and repeats harmful words.
▪ Ask about the grapevine—identify a couple of people who you believe to be well connected and ask them what is out there.
▪ Feed both the grapevine and the meetings; they both need information—the more critical and complex should be reserved for meetings, but good news is one of the best things to pass through the grapevine.