Myth #2 - The Search for the perfect church / model
I often disappoint myself. It seems my default for fixing problems is often to seek out the solution that will permanently fix the problem I'm facing. PERMANENTLY. Whether it be the program that is "just right" or a training rhythm for youth workers that equips them for success AND balances an appropriate use of their time. or just the right curriculum roadmap.
Regardless, my default setting, when facing something that is less than ideal, I want to make it perfect, for good. So that once I set in place a curriculum for 6-12 grades I don't ever want to have to look at it again. Maybe you don't have this problem. No. Problem isn't the right world... psychosis is the right word.
The driving underlying statement for me "If I can get to a certain point, it will be fixed."
What I'm still learning is that Youth Ministry and the church is always evolving. Always changing. Always rethinking itself. As I read the last two sentances I think "duh! no kidding riddle!" but I don't actually live like I believe this is true.
Humility is the key to great leadership in this regard. The drive to have the youth ministry or church that "isn't like the church or youth ministry down the street" or that is "different" is to approach ministry in arrogance.
Why? Because the model / church/ youth ministry you are seeking asylum from, running from, reacting against will be the oppressive model for someone else who is to come. In short, your solution will be someone elses problem.
This shouldn't keep you from trying new things, coming "over-against" as brueggeman says, but it should bring a strong dose of humility. Your program may actually solve a lot of problems for others, but it will not be perfect and it will need to evolve, change and one day die. Knowing this when you start something new, especially a new church, will save you some heartache in the future. It will keep you from having to guard and protect your model / church/ youth ministry in the future.
There is no perfect way to do church.
Therefore, church who learn to learn will be the churches who impact their world.
maybe more later... got go to a meeting.
Regardless, my default setting, when facing something that is less than ideal, I want to make it perfect, for good. So that once I set in place a curriculum for 6-12 grades I don't ever want to have to look at it again. Maybe you don't have this problem. No. Problem isn't the right world... psychosis is the right word.
The driving underlying statement for me "If I can get to a certain point, it will be fixed."
What I'm still learning is that Youth Ministry and the church is always evolving. Always changing. Always rethinking itself. As I read the last two sentances I think "duh! no kidding riddle!" but I don't actually live like I believe this is true.
Humility is the key to great leadership in this regard. The drive to have the youth ministry or church that "isn't like the church or youth ministry down the street" or that is "different" is to approach ministry in arrogance.
Why? Because the model / church/ youth ministry you are seeking asylum from, running from, reacting against will be the oppressive model for someone else who is to come. In short, your solution will be someone elses problem.
This shouldn't keep you from trying new things, coming "over-against" as brueggeman says, but it should bring a strong dose of humility. Your program may actually solve a lot of problems for others, but it will not be perfect and it will need to evolve, change and one day die. Knowing this when you start something new, especially a new church, will save you some heartache in the future. It will keep you from having to guard and protect your model / church/ youth ministry in the future.
There is no perfect way to do church.
Therefore, church who learn to learn will be the churches who impact their world.
maybe more later... got go to a meeting.
Labels: emergent, Riddle Group, Systems Thinking, youth ministry
posted by mark at
10:52 AM
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