About the book:
Meaningful communication connects people together. In marriages and families, it provides unity and the sense of belonging. Positive communication builds trust and wellbeing. Strong good communication in marriages and families is an important foundation for deepening relationships and giving joy.
Communication Connection was written to enrich marriages and spread into families as well. Knowing how to communicate appropriately and learning how to grow in communication assures relationships of the continued commitment of love and grace. It gives hope to individuals and couples they can improve in their interactions.
In this book, many case studies are used as practical examples and applications of the principles taught. They each represent feelings, needs and desires of people in general. They engage the readers because every person can identify emotionally. Every case study and the people described are all fictional and are not true people or circumstances.
Communication Connection is a unique book on communication. It is different than other books on communication. It explores different aspects of communication, explains essential avenues of communicating, and invites understanding about the impacts of communication. It reflects years of my counseling couples how to communicate better.
Communication Connection teaches how to communicate in ways to inspire others, connect in conflicts, avoid destructive communication, to know useful tools and techniques and how to find answers for common questions. It also proclaims majestic and powerful communications from God that describe His awesome power and love for us. It shares how to know God personally.
Book Endorsements:
As a communicator and teacher of preaching, I have read many books on the subject of communication. Communication Connection without doubt is one of the best. This book covers all the key aspects of communication from a solidly biblical perspective. Ellen Dean is an experienced counselor and her book is practical and relevant. Her insights will enhance marriages, strengthen relationships, and resolve conflicts. This book is a true gem. Highly recommended!
Dr. David L. Allen, Distinguished Professor of Preaching, Southwestern Seminary
This book, Communication Connection, is desperately needed in today’s culture. For years, the importance of communication in relationships has been noted by counselors, yet Ellen has gone one much-needed step farther. She has addressed relational communication from a solidly Biblical perspective in dealing with heart issues to arrive at practical principles which connect with readers. There is not a more comprehensive work on relational communication, which covers as many meaningful issues from a Biblical perspective, viewed through the lens of a long-time, effective Biblical counselor. Ellen knows relationship struggles and she knows the Scripture. I have recommended clients to her for more than 15 years.
In Chapter 5, Communication Connection does an excellent job of describing words which build up rather than tear down relationships. The author weaves Biblical concepts, such as affirmation, praise, appreciation, gentleness, and compassion, into case studies which allow readers to grasp them immediately. In Chapter 6, Ellen shows brilliantly how persons can connect during conflict. She suggests some of the best conflict guidelines I have read. Then, the book closes by poignantly showing how God demonstrated the most amazing communication ever in sending His Son, Jesus, to earth.
I recommend Communication Connection to you unequivocally. Ellen Dean has masterfully constructed a guide to enrich communication in relationships, especially in marriage and families. Every individual and family can benefit from this book.
Dr. Greg Ammons, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Garland, Texas
Ellen Dean has penned another most helpful and enlightening book on marriage. The reader will certainly receive great insights from the author’s study of the Bible and from many years of her personal experiences as both a professional counselor and a pastor’s wife. I heartily recommend this book to you.
Dr. Gary Cook, Chancellor, Dallas Baptist University Dallas, Texas
Most understand that spouses are expected to "leave and cleave" but not many know how this is supposed look in real life. "Cleave" means "to pursue hard" which is fleshed out in this excerpt from the book:
“Spouses need to continually build their repertoire of common interests in life. Branch out to explore new activities, hobbies, areas of service and skills. Limited desire to pursue the relationship is a problem than can debilitate a marriage.”
Communication Connection is full of practical encouragement like this which can be immediately applied. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is serious about growing their marriage.
Mark Dance, D.Min., East Central Regional Ministry Partner, BGCO
I have known and valued Ellen Dean, personally and professionally, for years. Her commitment to the application of God’s word to real-life issues is unwavering and in this new book on communication, God’s word shines through. I commend Ellen’s practical, biblical counsel on one of the great treasures God has given us – the blessing of communication.
Mark Farish, Pastor, Lake Highlands Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas
God designed marriage for the husband and wife to connect deeply and intimately, but failures in their communication will destroy that connection. My friend, Ellen Dean, wrote Communication Connection, so that marriages can be saved, restored, and strengthened by learning biblical principles on how to communicate well and in a Christ-like manner.
Dr. Jack Graham, Senior Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas
Ellen Dean, with clarity, compassion, and competence, has written another book which provides an exceptional resource for strengthening the bonds of relationships. In this recent work, Ellen sets her sights on one of the most common challenges in any relationship-COMMUNICATION.
Communication Connection is well-organized and substantive. The reader will certainly appreciate the numerous scriptural references, helpful anecdotes, practical wisdom, and the graciously addressed issues in the quest to communicate effectively and properly in relationships. Especially helpful are the chapters offering insightful assistance in the manner of “tools and techniques” and “frequently asked questions.” I have known Ellen Dean for more than two decades and she has consistently modeled the principles articulated in her book, both personally and professionally. I highly commend this resource to anyone seeking to improve their own Communication Connection!
Dr. John Hall, Senior Pastor, Field Street Baptist Church, Cleburne, Texas
I am thrilled to be able to recommend Ellen Dean’s second book called Communication Connection. It is written to enrich communication in relationships, especially in marriages and families, but provides wisdom in all relational contexts.
I do not know of any other book on communication that covers all the meaningful aspects that are in this book. Neither do I know of another one that is as Biblical, written from a counselor’s perspective and experience and is as practical and relevant as this book.
One of the unique and exciting characteristics of this book is a chapter called "Remember the Basics.” Here Ellen reminds her readers of the lost art of “listening”. “Everyone wants to be, and deserves to be listened to, heard and understood,” she writes in Chapter 4.
May the wisdom and insight found in Ellen’s latest book enable all of us to know more deeply the heart of the Father and His desire for us to authentically connect!
Steve Hardin, Lead Campus Pastor, White Rock Campus of LakePointe Church
I am honored to recommend Ellen Dean’s new book, Communication Connection to you. The author begins with her conviction that “the happiest marriages have great communication that improves and deepens through the years.” She then weaves her career as a counselor and her personal faith walk into a guide to help couples get to that point. If you need communication help or are trying to help others that do, you will find this book a practical and powerful tool.
Ernie McCoulskey, Director of Missions, Kauf-Van Baptist Association
Ellen Dean has such a way with words. Communication Connection is a wealth of wisdom and insight that will add value to relationships just starting out, those that are seasoned, or somewhere in between. What she has to say about the importance of communication within relationships brings clarity and order into muddled and chaotic seasons of life. Buy it! Read it! Live it! Words matter and Ellen Dean's will make a difference in how you choose and communicate yours.
Dr. David Rogers, Lead Pastor, Arapaho Road Baptist Church, Garland, Texas
I am grateful for Ellen Dean’s biblical counseling ministry. Communication Connection is a practical resource organized around commonly encountered communication struggles. The case studies, wise counsel, and biblical truths in each chapter encouraged me personally in strengthening my marriage and will serve as a helpful resource for my pastoral family ministry.
Chad Selph, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Allen, Texas
Communication Connection is an excellent tool for any couple looking to strengthen the “ties that bind” them together as a couple. I personally found the chapter on “Words that Build Up” convicting and encouraging. My wife and I get away annually to spend time together and to work on our marriage. We always read a book together about marriage to help get the conversation started. Communication Connection is the book we plan to read together this year – it is that good. It is my privilege to serve as Ellen Dean’s Pastor. I have seen Ellen and her husband, Bob, live out the principles taught in this book. She truly practices what she preaches, which adds authenticity to her words. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a better marriage – the kind of marriage that builds each other up and makes each other better.
Dr. Gary Singleton, Senior Pastor, The Heights Baptist Church, Richardson, Texas
Ellen Dean’s book, Communication Connection, is a powerful and excellent resource to enrich communication in marriages and families. Ellen’s counseling experience, passion to help relationships and her knowledge of what is necessary for positive and healthy communication all come together in this book. Her practical examples engage readers in interesting and compelling ways.
Ellen discusses Biblical and practical characteristics of communication, communicating with inspiration, building others up, and understanding and avoiding destructive communication patterns. She explains dynamics of conflicts and how to connect in meaningful ways for solutions and growth in marriage.
Ellen also shares how God has communicated in amazing ways declaring His love for us. I highly recommend Communication Connection for every marriage and family.
Pastor Steve Stroope, Lake Pointe Church, Rockwall, Texas
Communication does not come easy for most of us – especially within marriage relationships. In this book, Ellen shares timeless, practical biblical concepts and tools for improving communication within any relationship. Ministers, couples, or anyone seeking to improve their communication effectiveness can benefit from this wonderful resource.
Katie Swafford, M.A., L.P.C.-S., Ph.D. in Leadership, Director of Counseling Services with Texas Baptists
Ellen Dean, author of Marriage Trust Builders, has done it once again! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that marriage is all about communication, but how to do that is more difficult. Ellen’s new book, Communication Connection, leads us through the process in a Biblical, practical way. For that very reason I have sent folks to Ellen for counseling for years and will continue to do so. Thanks, Ellen, for another wonderful contribution in this all important area.
Steve Swofford, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Rockwall, Texas
Ellen Dean has done it again! She has brought together a beautiful convergence of years of knowledge through her counseling experience, Biblical guidance, and practical wisdom to help us all have better relationships. Never has there been a greater need in our Uber polarized culture than now, for us all to learn how to communicate better. Ellen knows that this starts in our personal relationships with one another, and she guides us to listen well, seek understanding, and love one another. This book will help you grow in the most important relationships in your life!
Dr. Jeff Warren, Senior Pastor, Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas