Eric, Charlene & I attended the CCN Satellite Simulcast at Redwood yday, entitled "Culture Shift". It turned out not be about how Christian ministries need to come to terms with the changing mindset of our society -- not that I don't think that's worth discussing.
By the way, I'm thinking we must have arrived at at least "Pre-Post-Post-Modern" by now. What do you think, Pomo?
Instead, it was about stating some rather obvious things about creating a certain life-giving environment in your ministry. Were these guys *paid* to restate these things!? ;) Okay, I'm not opposed to restating basic ideas.
The most notable part to me was the impact of unhealthy relationships on a ministry. The speaker's advice to a leader of a suffering ministry was to give up planning new programs for a while, do a check-up on relationships and do what was necessary to heal them --
-- and do it all before Sunday, because worship would need to be cancelled. "That's according to Jesus (Mt. 5)!" said a grinning Wayne. "Not me. Take it up with him!"
Now I'm not entirely happy with that approach to Christ's commands (though I'm sure I've used it) but
I do recall a ministry conference at which we cancelled Communion because one sub-ministry was in conflict. I don't think (but I don't know) if those conflicts were ever solved and by the next year another sub-ministry also had conflicts unresolved to this day. I'm kind of assuming they have returned to celebrating communion among the survivors anyway. Maybe they offer prayers for the dead.
I, of course, am greatly influenced by Andy James and I remember his
emphasis on the importance of people over programs.
This is not to say that programs should not be reviewed, sometimes dumped or adapted to changing trends etc., but it left me convinced that the main need of every ministry is *good people*, even when equipment, funds and facilities may seem insufficient. If you have good, willing people working in God's enthusiasm, generally speaking) they can make a good time out of little material.
Again generalizing: people will be attracted to this, which will bring funds, equipment etc.
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Re. unhealthy relationships impacting effectiveness:
What if the divorce has already occurred? Eternal ineffectiveness? I know divorced or separated people who get back together. I know of a Christian worker let go for breaking one of the "serious" of the 10 Commandments and then rehired. (Let's not pretend that Evangelicals don't grade sin.) I just don't want to limit the possibilities when God and Grace are available in our circumstances.
Difficult places - grace without giving license, and standing up for what is right without destroying another person.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that it has to come back to a serious concern for the other person. All our actions (whether discipline or forgiveness) must be done so that the other person can grow and better see who Jesus is. Kind of sounds very circumstancial.
I agree that it's all about relationships. Programs, and fancy things are nice, but without relationship - people won't stay around. Relationship and community - we've lost the art of community these days, and that's what needs to be taken care of. However - that said, many people just don't know how to resolve conflict, how to forgive and how to have healthy relationships . We're so used to just tossing people (and relationships) aside when they don't work out. That loving others thing is crucial!
ReplyDeleteI concur!
ReplyDeleteIt must begin with love... Even "correcting" must be done in love.
If you know someone cares about you and they come to you with an issue - you may be hurt or offended - but if the history of love is there, you'll know that they care for you regardless. You're more likely to change, then if someone who you feel doesn't care about you comes to you with a issue - then you just get defensive.
The conflict is that you need a community of love and acceptance in order to be able to deal with correction and change. If you don't have a community around you who will love you even when you fall, it's not likely you'll ever have the strength and support to change. But love and acceptance does not mean that you can't encourage people to change.
Fullan has said (many times), that for true and long lasting systematic change to occur, you need a balance of pressure and support. Without pressure to change, change won't occur. Without support, the change won't happen or won't last after the pressure has been lifted.
I think that applies to us as well.
I find Fullan's comment helpful. Over the last few years I realized the importance of what I call "even pressure" (and "even support" too, I suppose) as characteristics of a skilled leader. The alternative is the sudden yanking of the chain.
ReplyDelete