A while ago I was listening to a God Journey podcast by Wayne Jacobsen & Brad Cummings.
Wayne was reading an e-mail from listener who stated that she had just come out of a "movement" she had been involved in for the last 10 years. Her summary of the whole experience was that she had suffered more wounds in that "movement" than she had during her time in the "traditional, institutionalized structure" . . .
The "movement" she had come out of?
Organic . . .
What do we make of this? We can come away cynical. We can get defensive. We can "go on the attack" . . .
Or we can step back and ask some interpretive questions.
What are we looking for? Too often we take something that Papa God is doing and try to "put it in a box". Give it a label. Turn it into a "movement" . . create a structure which then turns into a monument which then we build an institution around . . . an empire founded upon . . . a denomination . . .
What are we looking for? A quick fix? Something to which find our identity in, our purpose . . . our ontological substantiation? Something to "belong to . . ."?
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15 ESV)
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?"
(Romans 8:15 MSG)
The Good News: You already belong. You have an identity.
The best way to join in is to daily focus outside of yourself and ask:
"What's next, Papa?"
That way you will always find yourself involved in exactly what He is doing . . . in you, in others and in many surprising ways and places.
And that will always be very organic . . .
just don't look for a label.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Fuzzy, Invisible Leadership: Starfish & Nant'ans
Early on in the book The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power Of Leaderless Organizations (by Ori Brafman & Rod A. Beckstrom) we are given a brief history of how the Apache resisted and fought-off being conquered by (first) the Spanish, then the Mexicans and then (later) the U.S. Army. A key point of the book is that while the Apache did have an organization (of sorts) and leaders (the Nant’an to be specific) theirs was a decentralized organization. The Nant’an (a spiritual leader) embodied the “bio-pneuma paradigm” (life/spiritual point-of-view) of the Apache people. The Nant’an was not central to the group, but a part of the whole. If a Nant’an was killed, another would become Nant’an. The tribe did not fall apart due to the loss, as their way of life was decentralized. (pg. 17~21).
This fits with an analogy that I thought of a while back. I call it my “Mercury Analogy”. Ever have a single "glob" of mercury? Ever try "squishing" that glob? What happens? The single glob breaks up into a whole bunch of smaller globs of mercury. You just can’t squish them out of existence! And notice how they reform together quite quickly! Not to mention mercury readily adapts to fit what ever structure it finds itself in. I asked my friend/brother/son-in-law about the properties of Mercury (it’s his Alchemy symbol of choice). Here is what he stated:
“Mercury is fascinating stuff. I can't think of another metal that's liquid at room temperature. I hope you won't be disappointed to read that my thinking regarding Mercury as a clan symbol for Holly and I had more to do with history than present science. My introduction to the ideas I find most interesting regarding Mercury came as a result of my study of the life of Sir Isaac Newton. He is regarded now as a scientist, the father of mechanics, but he regarded himself as a natural philosopher, a sort of cross between scientist and witch doctor. One of his fields of research was alchemy, whereupon we meet Mercury. The alchemist used Mercury, aka "quicksilver", to facilitate transformations (as a catalyst, as we say today) in pursuit of that eternally elusive goal, the philosopher's stone. While the stone itself would have been powerful (in concept only, of course, as it was a fantasy), the highest goal of the alchemist was, ultimately, the transformation of the self into a higher state. This is a powerful symbolic change, one I think we all seek, whether consciously or not. Mercury, that most malleable metal, represents the potential to change, to reshape, and to transform. Thus, I argued for our selection of Mercury as a family crest on the grounds that it represents insight, knowledge and wisdom.
The various factual physical properties of the element Mercury are recorded in a number of sources, but I think they miss the point, unless the point is a particular chemical reaction. In any case, I was glad to read that you understand the organic nature of human society. Yes, our gatherings, in any genre, will and must constantly reform themselves around the social topography they encounter. Recognition of this fact allows us to surf the changes, rather than fighting them.”
What did eventually lead to assimilation of the Apache was when those within the “command-and-control” framework of the U.S. decided that the persuasion of resource-control might work (pg. 151~152). So a Nant’an was given some cattle (resource) to do with as he saw fit (control). Unique as the Apache were, human nature is human nature. Having solo-control over an important resource basically put the Nant’an into our modern equivalent role of CEO. Thus a decentralized system became a very centralized one. Their “potential to change, to reshape, and to transform “ was lost. Once this happens, then a large, coercive, “command-n-control” system can very easily conquer, control and dominate any such (smaller) centralized system.
In keeping with the essence of my name (which is best pronounced in the mode of a rhetorical question), my goal is not bring this to a final, centralized, conclusion. My goal is to provoke you to deep contemplation and think/wonder
“Hhhhmmmm . . .”
Shalom on The Journey. Let Jesus be your Centre. Seek to be invisible . . . and Fuzzy.
This fits with an analogy that I thought of a while back. I call it my “Mercury Analogy”. Ever have a single "glob" of mercury? Ever try "squishing" that glob? What happens? The single glob breaks up into a whole bunch of smaller globs of mercury. You just can’t squish them out of existence! And notice how they reform together quite quickly! Not to mention mercury readily adapts to fit what ever structure it finds itself in. I asked my friend/brother/son-in-law about the properties of Mercury (it’s his Alchemy symbol of choice). Here is what he stated:
“Mercury is fascinating stuff. I can't think of another metal that's liquid at room temperature. I hope you won't be disappointed to read that my thinking regarding Mercury as a clan symbol for Holly and I had more to do with history than present science. My introduction to the ideas I find most interesting regarding Mercury came as a result of my study of the life of Sir Isaac Newton. He is regarded now as a scientist, the father of mechanics, but he regarded himself as a natural philosopher, a sort of cross between scientist and witch doctor. One of his fields of research was alchemy, whereupon we meet Mercury. The alchemist used Mercury, aka "quicksilver", to facilitate transformations (as a catalyst, as we say today) in pursuit of that eternally elusive goal, the philosopher's stone. While the stone itself would have been powerful (in concept only, of course, as it was a fantasy), the highest goal of the alchemist was, ultimately, the transformation of the self into a higher state. This is a powerful symbolic change, one I think we all seek, whether consciously or not. Mercury, that most malleable metal, represents the potential to change, to reshape, and to transform. Thus, I argued for our selection of Mercury as a family crest on the grounds that it represents insight, knowledge and wisdom.
The various factual physical properties of the element Mercury are recorded in a number of sources, but I think they miss the point, unless the point is a particular chemical reaction. In any case, I was glad to read that you understand the organic nature of human society. Yes, our gatherings, in any genre, will and must constantly reform themselves around the social topography they encounter. Recognition of this fact allows us to surf the changes, rather than fighting them.”
What did eventually lead to assimilation of the Apache was when those within the “command-and-control” framework of the U.S. decided that the persuasion of resource-control might work (pg. 151~152). So a Nant’an was given some cattle (resource) to do with as he saw fit (control). Unique as the Apache were, human nature is human nature. Having solo-control over an important resource basically put the Nant’an into our modern equivalent role of CEO. Thus a decentralized system became a very centralized one. Their “potential to change, to reshape, and to transform “ was lost. Once this happens, then a large, coercive, “command-n-control” system can very easily conquer, control and dominate any such (smaller) centralized system.
In keeping with the essence of my name (which is best pronounced in the mode of a rhetorical question), my goal is not bring this to a final, centralized, conclusion. My goal is to provoke you to deep contemplation and think/wonder
“Hhhhmmmm . . .”
Shalom on The Journey. Let Jesus be your Centre. Seek to be invisible . . . and Fuzzy.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Fuzzy Leadership: Invisibility
It really needs to be mentioned here that:
Whether you agree with the concept of Fuzzy Leadership or not (I readily confess that I ain't got all the answers and am on journey through this myself)
Or whatever your paradigm on leadership is . . .
Abiding in Christ and leaning on His guidance is the only way forward.
Invisibility
We have in scripture examples of Jesus sending His disciples out on their own. He outlines the mission to them, gives them some initial guidelines . . . and then releases them.
When talking about His soon-to-come leaving, Jesus says (speaking of the Holy Spirit):
"However, I am telling you the truth. It is for your advantage that I am going away, for if I do not go away the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."
(Joh 16:7 ISV)
Then we have Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians:
"That's why I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us. If by merely showing up I would put you in an embarrassingly painful position, how would you then be free to cheer and refresh me? That was my reason for writing a letter instead of coming--so I wouldn't have to spend a miserable time disappointing the very friends I had looked forward to cheering me up. I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you. As it turned out, there was pain enough just in writing that letter, more tears than ink on the parchment. But I didn't write it to cause pain; I wrote it so you would know how much I care--oh, more than care--love you! Now, regarding the one who started all this--the person in question who caused all this pain--I want you to know that I am not the one injured in this as much as, with a few exceptions, all of you. So I don't want to come down too hard. What the majority of you agreed to as punishment is punishment enough. Now is the time to forgive this man and help him back on his feet. If all you do is pour on the guilt, you could very well drown him in it. My counsel now is to pour on the love. The focus of my letter wasn't on punishing the offender but on getting you to take responsibility for the health of the church. So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don't think I'm carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I'm joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us." (2Co 2:1-10 MSG)
Being available is the key; giving input but giving the other freedom to discover and learn in the Journey.
Whether you agree with the concept of Fuzzy Leadership or not (I readily confess that I ain't got all the answers and am on journey through this myself)
Or whatever your paradigm on leadership is . . .
Abiding in Christ and leaning on His guidance is the only way forward.
Invisibility
We have in scripture examples of Jesus sending His disciples out on their own. He outlines the mission to them, gives them some initial guidelines . . . and then releases them.
When talking about His soon-to-come leaving, Jesus says (speaking of the Holy Spirit):
"However, I am telling you the truth. It is for your advantage that I am going away, for if I do not go away the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."
(Joh 16:7 ISV)
Then we have Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians:
"That's why I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us. If by merely showing up I would put you in an embarrassingly painful position, how would you then be free to cheer and refresh me? That was my reason for writing a letter instead of coming--so I wouldn't have to spend a miserable time disappointing the very friends I had looked forward to cheering me up. I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you. As it turned out, there was pain enough just in writing that letter, more tears than ink on the parchment. But I didn't write it to cause pain; I wrote it so you would know how much I care--oh, more than care--love you! Now, regarding the one who started all this--the person in question who caused all this pain--I want you to know that I am not the one injured in this as much as, with a few exceptions, all of you. So I don't want to come down too hard. What the majority of you agreed to as punishment is punishment enough. Now is the time to forgive this man and help him back on his feet. If all you do is pour on the guilt, you could very well drown him in it. My counsel now is to pour on the love. The focus of my letter wasn't on punishing the offender but on getting you to take responsibility for the health of the church. So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don't think I'm carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I'm joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us." (2Co 2:1-10 MSG)
Being available is the key; giving input but giving the other freedom to discover and learn in the Journey.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Choices, Invitations and Invisibility
In Fuzzy Leadership, there is room provided for all (at whatever the stage of the Journey they are in) to make choices. There is no coercement; there is exhortation. There can be confrontation.
But the confrontation that Jesus presented His disciples left room for them to make choices.
In John's Gospel account, Jesus is talking about how His flesh is true food and His blood true drink and to get eternal life one would have to partake of them. At this point several of those who had been following Him left. This was too much for them. At this point Jesus turns to the remaining disciples and asks:
"Do you also want to go away"?
Notice no where does He deride those who have left. Nor is His question rhetorical or manipulative.
It is simple and direct. And it is inviting . . . for not to go away is to come closer. Peter sees the invite and, responding from the heart (though his intellect was involved, what Jesus had just spoken previously of was "a hard (offensive) thing") says:
"Who can we go to? You have (hold) the word (Rhema: Living, Breathing) of eternal life".
It has been said that God offends the mind to reveal the heart.
I also believe that He offends the mind to free the heart.
For true relationship, for true Love to happen, there has to be freedom.
Next up: Invisible (but present) leadership. Or, in other words, how "not being there" can be of real benefit to others.
But the confrontation that Jesus presented His disciples left room for them to make choices.
In John's Gospel account, Jesus is talking about how His flesh is true food and His blood true drink and to get eternal life one would have to partake of them. At this point several of those who had been following Him left. This was too much for them. At this point Jesus turns to the remaining disciples and asks:
"Do you also want to go away"?
Notice no where does He deride those who have left. Nor is His question rhetorical or manipulative.
It is simple and direct. And it is inviting . . . for not to go away is to come closer. Peter sees the invite and, responding from the heart (though his intellect was involved, what Jesus had just spoken previously of was "a hard (offensive) thing") says:
"Who can we go to? You have (hold) the word (Rhema: Living, Breathing) of eternal life".
It has been said that God offends the mind to reveal the heart.
I also believe that He offends the mind to free the heart.
For true relationship, for true Love to happen, there has to be freedom.
Next up: Invisible (but present) leadership. Or, in other words, how "not being there" can be of real benefit to others.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Fuzzy Leadership & The Grand Disconnect
The Grand Disconnect
I believe that one of the major obstacles for getting the proper paradigm for leadership the way Jesus modeled it is getting rid of the Grand Disconnect. What is the Grand Disconnect?
Simply this: When we read and see what Jesus did, we have this tendency to see it as something that it was just Jesus. But in reality it was (and is) God doing it . . .
So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
(Joh 5:19 ESV)
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
(Joh 14:9 ESV)
So here we have THE Creator of everything seen & unseen, (HE who has ALL Power; He who can just speak and what was not now is . . . ) Moving and Breathing among us.
And He doesn't make us do anything. Instead, He invites. He shows us the Way but doesn't make us walk it or force it on us. He may choose to rattle our cage (thinking of Saul soon-to-be-Paul here . . .) but choice is still our option.
So when we read of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, we are seeing God Almighty washing the feet of ordinary, messed-up, mistake-prone folks like you and me. This is HE who could (with all Just & Rightness & Authority) point His finger at us and say "DO IT!" and we would because He has the Might and the Power.
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
(Zec 4:6 ESV)
If there was anyone who had the right (AND the Power) to be a control-freak it would be Jesus.
But we don't see Him being that or doing that. He invites us in, opens up the way in for us, but doesn't force. I want to say that He models but somehow that doesn't feel right (has a shadow of disconnect in it). It is more of a healthy enabling; an empowering . . . or at least a "potential-ing" (gee, new word there! May my English and Grammar teachers forgive me . . .) of empowering.
And in the reading of John 13:1-14, I see God "potential-ing" the disciples in the way of leadership that is of the Kingdom. Not a leadership that controls, manipulates nor coerces.
But a leadership that truly enables, empowers and invites.
"But what about confrontation?"
Yes, He does challenge us. He shakes and rattles us. But always from the core of Love.
This is something we shall explore later . . .
I believe that one of the major obstacles for getting the proper paradigm for leadership the way Jesus modeled it is getting rid of the Grand Disconnect. What is the Grand Disconnect?
Simply this: When we read and see what Jesus did, we have this tendency to see it as something that it was just Jesus. But in reality it was (and is) God doing it . . .
So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
(Joh 5:19 ESV)
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
(Joh 14:9 ESV)
So here we have THE Creator of everything seen & unseen, (HE who has ALL Power; He who can just speak and what was not now is . . . ) Moving and Breathing among us.
And He doesn't make us do anything. Instead, He invites. He shows us the Way but doesn't make us walk it or force it on us. He may choose to rattle our cage (thinking of Saul soon-to-be-Paul here . . .) but choice is still our option.
So when we read of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, we are seeing God Almighty washing the feet of ordinary, messed-up, mistake-prone folks like you and me. This is HE who could (with all Just & Rightness & Authority) point His finger at us and say "DO IT!" and we would because He has the Might and the Power.
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
(Zec 4:6 ESV)
If there was anyone who had the right (AND the Power) to be a control-freak it would be Jesus.
But we don't see Him being that or doing that. He invites us in, opens up the way in for us, but doesn't force. I want to say that He models but somehow that doesn't feel right (has a shadow of disconnect in it). It is more of a healthy enabling; an empowering . . . or at least a "potential-ing" (gee, new word there! May my English and Grammar teachers forgive me . . .) of empowering.
And in the reading of John 13:1-14, I see God "potential-ing" the disciples in the way of leadership that is of the Kingdom. Not a leadership that controls, manipulates nor coerces.
But a leadership that truly enables, empowers and invites.
"But what about confrontation?"
Yes, He does challenge us. He shakes and rattles us. But always from the core of Love.
This is something we shall explore later . . .
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Fuzzy Accountability
I have had some conversations as of late in regards to "Loving others without agend" and walking in the Freedom that Jesus gives us . . . and allowing others to do the same.
Inevitably the person I am talking to asks:
"But what about Accountability???"
As in: " . . . if we don't "keep" someone "on track" (I.E. "Command & Control") then terrible things are going to happen . . . "
(The reality being that the only person I can really "control" is myself {and that's on a good day}. Influence is another subject . . .)
The last I checked, the only accounting a follower of Jesus has to do is that to Papa with what has been done with the life they have been given.
I am quite sure that discipline/accountability exists in the Kingdom, but I have a funny feeling that they have a totally different paradigm . . . a totally different "mode of being".
Discipline/Accountability in the Kingdom is based on & flows from a deep Love that is relational to the core; It is always available and never abandons (but does let go at times).
In fact, any real authority or influence I have with another person is that which they give to me.
(Barring any type of domineering, "command & control" or "Lording it over" dysfunction).
Reflect upon this: Think about the people that Papa has put in your life; the ones who really influenced you and/or impacted you in a positive way in regards to Papa, Jesus, Holy Spirit and the Kingdom. What was it that opened that door of influence, leadership or authority???
Genuine Relationship. And that cannot be forced, coerced or manipulated (else it will mutate and eventually die . . .)
Of course, we will make mistakes and get things messed-up. But Jesus doesn't leave us there when that happens. He beckons us "Arise!", woo's us to follow and teaches us His way of leading.
Inevitably the person I am talking to asks:
"But what about Accountability???"
As in: " . . . if we don't "keep" someone "on track" (I.E. "Command & Control") then terrible things are going to happen . . . "
(The reality being that the only person I can really "control" is myself {and that's on a good day}. Influence is another subject . . .)
The last I checked, the only accounting a follower of Jesus has to do is that to Papa with what has been done with the life they have been given.
I am quite sure that discipline/accountability exists in the Kingdom, but I have a funny feeling that they have a totally different paradigm . . . a totally different "mode of being".
Discipline/Accountability in the Kingdom is based on & flows from a deep Love that is relational to the core; It is always available and never abandons (but does let go at times).
In fact, any real authority or influence I have with another person is that which they give to me.
(Barring any type of domineering, "command & control" or "Lording it over" dysfunction).
Reflect upon this: Think about the people that Papa has put in your life; the ones who really influenced you and/or impacted you in a positive way in regards to Papa, Jesus, Holy Spirit and the Kingdom. What was it that opened that door of influence, leadership or authority???
Genuine Relationship. And that cannot be forced, coerced or manipulated (else it will mutate and eventually die . . .)
Of course, we will make mistakes and get things messed-up. But Jesus doesn't leave us there when that happens. He beckons us "Arise!", woo's us to follow and teaches us His way of leading.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Fuzzy Confessions . . .
As things begin to unfold in "Fuzzy Leadership" one may begin to feel as if the tale is a form of deconstruction. Which it is not. It is intended solely for construction. Perhaps along the line of reformation (which is greatly needed).
In the conversation, I will by necessity cover some of the misuses and abuses of leadership within Ekklesia. However it may seem that I am "pointing the finger" as such. Be it known however that I am well aware that anytime I point a finger that there are three other fingers of that same hand pointing back at myself.
I.E.: I know of the misuses and abuses of leadership in Ekklesia because of my own failings in that very area.
"Mia Culpa" . . .
In this Journey we suffer bumps, bruises and wounding. And it is inevitable that we inflict our own share of that upon others. God grant us the grace to ask and offer forgiveness to one another for that.
But it must not end there. A realization of the Ephesian 4:13 calling includes a Kingdom perspective of leadership.
Without a paradigm shift in that realm, we will only re-create the same problems in a variant form of the Matrix ~ box ~ stronghold ~ prison ~ grave.
In the conversation, I will by necessity cover some of the misuses and abuses of leadership within Ekklesia. However it may seem that I am "pointing the finger" as such. Be it known however that I am well aware that anytime I point a finger that there are three other fingers of that same hand pointing back at myself.
I.E.: I know of the misuses and abuses of leadership in Ekklesia because of my own failings in that very area.
"Mia Culpa" . . .
In this Journey we suffer bumps, bruises and wounding. And it is inevitable that we inflict our own share of that upon others. God grant us the grace to ask and offer forgiveness to one another for that.
But it must not end there. A realization of the Ephesian 4:13 calling includes a Kingdom perspective of leadership.
Without a paradigm shift in that realm, we will only re-create the same problems in a variant form of the Matrix ~ box ~ stronghold ~ prison ~ grave.
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