Last week Pete Scazzero of New Life fellowship Church in New York introduced us to his Community Temperature Taker.\r\n\r\nThis tool for testing the relational health of a community was developed by Pete and Geri Scazzero from a method originally created by family therapist Virginia Satir for use with families.\r\n\r\nIt works simply like this: each person involved takes it in turn to make a statement at each of five levels, starting at the bottom of the thermometer (see picture below) and working up to the top. If it is not possible to move past a particular point that tells something about the temperature of the relationship(s). If every stage is done but with difficulty, that too says something about how good the relationships are. Of course, taking the temperature may also show that all is well.\r\n\r\nFor help on how to use the Community Temperature Taker a good set of notes can be found at:\r\nwww.oakpointe.org/pdf/sermon-notes/EHS/CommunityTemperatureReading.pdf\r\n\r\nThis tool works in one-to-one settings and groups, although Pete did clarify that it may be preferable to omit the third stage in a team group setting.\r\n\r\nI’ve tried it and highly recommend it!However, I’m still trying to remember to do Stages 2 and 3 around the home:\r\n\r\n”I’m puzzled as to why that mess is still there after three days” instead of “for goodness sake, clear it up!”;\r\n\r\nand\r\n\r\n”I notice that you never do the washing up and I prefer sharing the tasks more evenly” rather than muttering under my breath yet within earshot “Why’s it always me doing this – on my own!?”\r\n\r\n