After the Lord explained to John that what he was about to see was a revelation of Jesus, He gave John a message for each of the seven churches in Asia Minor. Why those churches?

      Together, the Lord’s messages to these churches were a message to the whole church, throughout the church age. These were messages given in advance for each period of church history. We will cover this in some detail. First, we need to look at how He delivered His message to these churches, as this is also a reflection of His nature.

      Jesus spoke to each of the seven churches in what is called a “critique sandwich.” This may have been the first example of this type of communication in history. A “critique sandwich” is first saying something positive, then addressing any correction needed, and ending with a vision of hope for those who heed the message and overcome their shortcomings. In this way, anything that is challenging and hard is sandwiched between positives. Even though they have been corrected, it leaves them inspired instead of feeling like failures. 

      Using a critique sandwich is taught in leadership and management courses as a good way to bring correction. It’s not meant to manipulate people emotionally, but it is right to acknowledge the good people have done. This helps the person being corrected to be open and listen to the needed correction, and it encourages them with what they will receive if they overcome the problems. Encouraged people far outperform those who are depressed, when all other factors are equal.

      After I met with President Donald Trump in 2015, he asked me to meet with his son Eric to discuss the kingdom of God. Both men had a striking and rare trait; they really listened to you and processed what you said. Studies have indicated that truly listening to others is now a very rare quality in people. Probably because they have been conditioned by sound bites in television and social media, most people no longer have the ability to listen with focus for more than a few seconds.

      To find a father and son with this remarkably rare ability was striking. President Trump has an uncommon warmth that engages with you deeply when you meet with him personally. He listens to you with such intensity that you are compelled to listen to him. I think this is one reason he is able to get so much done. He rarely has to repeat himself to people he gives instructions to, and almost every accomplishment requires a partnership with other people.

       Recent leadership and management books recommend stating and restating important instructions to employees at least four times. When I first read that this is necessary for most people, I understood why in Navy boot camp we spent so much time marching. When we got to the fleet, we were not going to be marching anymore, but we marched to learn to listen to instructions and obey them immediately. This could be life or death in combat.

      After meeting with Eric, I lingered in the office area to casually talk to some of the Trump employees. One thing stood out with every one of them: They were careful to really listen to your questions and address them. Knowing how rare this is, I was surprised to find this so prevalent in their office. To really listen to someone is one of the most profound ways we can show respect for them. To not listen to someone talking to you is not only disrespectful, but it conveys that we do not think their words are important. Any group where that is prevalent will be very limited in its effectiveness.

      I also noticed in Trump’s office something else that is very rare: they were exceptionally happy. Everyone I talked to loved the Trump family and loved working for them. After I left, I was thinking that his office was the happiest one I had ever visited. I think the offices in our ministry have a good atmosphere, but we’re serving the King of kings and should be happy. How were Trump’s workers seemingly so much happier than ours? I think it was because they had been taught—trained by instructions or by example—to really listen to others. This alone can generate amazing energy in people, which is required to accomplish anything significant.