At the Pastors' Gathering, the theme of the Third Way and order, disorder and reorder guided our conversations. Each theme invites the church to consider the what, when, and why our of processes, decisions, relationships, and future actions. The expected response here is to say our actions are led by the Spirit. I cautioned us from responding too quickly; Third Way thinking challenges us to look for spiritual direction outside of the ordinary expected responses. Third Way thinking moves beyond binary two options, right/wrong, their side/my side, winning and losing living. The Spirit is at work when all involved are able to control their egos and seek the greater good through higher level thinking. Creativity is birthed out of ideas that are not bound to how things were done in the past or proven resolutions. Third Way thinking is risk-taking, permission-giving and establishes that "failing forward" is a part of the progress.

 

The concept of order, disorder, and reorder hones in on the worldviews that shape our understanding of life, ethics and faithfulness. Most importantly, our understanding of order sets the standards for how normative living should be. Disorder is the place of chaos when the apple cart is turned upside down and nothing makes sense anymore. Many scholars believe disorder is the place where most live. Individuals who regularly live on the margins of society live out this reality daily. Ministry happens at the occurrence of reorder. Here are the gospel transforms life, heals brokenness, builds bridges, tears down walls, and reconciles people to one another. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best:

The Christian gospel is a two-way road. On the one hand, it seeks to change the souls of men, and thereby unite them with God; on the other hand, it seeks to change the environmental conditions of men so the soul will have a chance after it is changed. "

 

What could happen if we as a presbytery begin to think about these concepts in our work together? What would happen if congregations would make order, disorder, and reorder the ultimate goal of ministry? I hope in the coming days we can continue to talk about these issues as we look towards the hopeful future that God has for us.

 

SanDawna

Join the Presbytery in a book study of

Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Change

Ronald Heifetz, Marty Linsky

 

Pastors, sessions and church leaders are invited to read along with other co-learners as we take the transformation conversation one step further.  Planned for late July through Zoom and in-person discussions, we will explore the topics of productive change, lowering the risk of change agents, avoiding leadership traps, and answering the question-What does it mean to see new chapters in ministry. These are just a few of the themes we will discuss.  Leadership on the Line is a Harvard Business book commonly used by religious organizations. The book includes religious themes easily adaptable for the church context. Three Zoom book discussions will take place as follows:

 

July 12 - The Introduction and Part I Chapters  1 and 2

August 23 - Part Two, Chapters 3-7

September 20 - Chapters 8-11

 

The discussions will begin at 11:00 a.m. Please contact Karen Lange to receive the Zoom instructions.