Church Planting Central

For all of our sakes, would you please sit?

Stephen Pressfield writes the following:

"There's a secret that real writers know that wannabe writers don't, and the secret is this: It's not the writing part that's hard. What's hard is sitting down to write."

Stephen is describing resistance - the same "resistance" that many of us encounter when we try offering our corresponding art forms, like ministry, leadership, mentoring, innovating and even "companioning." Such a high holy art form that is - that of companioning each other into courageous acts of compassion and generosity. Oftentimes, this shows up as mentoring leaders but sometimes it's just about companioning our partners, spouses, children or better yet, ourselves!

Often, rather than deal with my own resistance to producing that relationship art - that hard work of co-creating new possibiities, I'd rather blog about it, or read books on it, or theorize about why the changing context of "companioning ministries" is calling for new paradigms or models or theories in action. (At this point, I remember an episode of "arrested development" that featured an attorney by the name of Bob Loblaw! Feels like that, at this point! I mean, how many books and blogs and speakers tours and conventions do we need before we explode with the profundity of it all?)

I really like Pressfield's scoop on "resistance." Rather than moralize or totalize, he just "presents a rogue's gallery of the many manifestations of Resistance (as found in the Preface). "You will recognize each and every one, for this force lives within us all—self-sabotage, self-deception, self-corruption. We writers know it as "block," a paralysis whose symptoms can bring on appalling behavior."

Ellen deGeneres does a fantastic bit on procrastination (or the mismanagement of resistance) in one of her DVD releases of stand-up routines. Seth Godin walks us through managing resistance in "Linchpin" - a provocative primer on releasing the art you are here to produce.

After re-reading Pressfield's work on the the WAR of ART, I am provoked. The provocation is to be clear about when I am giving in to the resistance and when I am courageously offering the best I have to "ship out" in that moment. It's like I need the Zen Master to sneak up behind me and thunk me with the reed to wake me up out of my stupor - languoring in tasks that don't match my strengths, don't embody my recent "Yes's" to Spirit, don't leave me motivated to try on even more courage.

Here is what I would ask you! What is your equivalent to sitting down to write? I'm not asking, "What is your equivalent to writing?" The question really is, "What is your equivalent to sitting?" What does it take for you to show up, pen/brush/knife/scalpel/trowel/text/pastel in hand, fully awake and present to the future that may be longing to be birthed in you?

For all of our sakes, would you please sit?

There!

Kindly, gently sitting here, as well . . . may I ask, "Would you please share with

us the art you were born to create?"

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.

Ideas, language, even the phrase each other doesn’t make any sense.

(from Rumi: The Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and Longing by Jalal al-Din Rumi translated by Coleman Barks)

Spirit Spotting and role-playing the emergent . . .

For those of us committed to midwifing the Spirit's future that is longing to be birthed in this moment . . .

Lately I've noticed that those who innovate for the sake of discovering God's new life actually practice at it. In fact, it is their "practice!"

As I've observed ...

they experiment (while getting more and more comfortable with failure);

they explore learnings from other "sectors" (Scharmer calls this "deep dive" exploration);

they learn to use humor and playfulness to stay open to new possibilities and counteract our rigid and anxious environments;

they spend alot of time "harvesting conversations" and noticing potential learnings;

they tease themselves (and those around them) out of the periodic "stuckness" that overtakes us all, and...

they "try it on" -- Wellman calls this "role-playing the emergent."

Of course, the motivation to take this on depends on one's faith in the idea that God's Future IS longing to be birthed in this moment. It also helps to wake up remembering that the Spirit has made herself vulnerable to my "Yes's" and "No's" in Her invitation for me to partner. Otherwise, it's a whole lot of extra work, right?!

Wilber and Fowler convincingly made the case that, now more than ever, faith communities are incredibly important to the future of our life together on this planet.

Here is what I am wondering . . .

Which part of God's future are you called to midwife?

How we can we support you in that creative endeavor?

Would you join us this Friday at 4 as we connect with innovative leaders? Ist Friday Videoconference

What is your "Yes!" in this moment?

Would you let me know?

 

Tom Brackett

646-203-6266

tbrackett@episcopalchurch.org

May we talk candidly, here?

This last Saturday, I heard myself explain to a group of relative strangers that, in my lifetime, I have already survived 4 significant church splits, from the inside. By "from the inside" I mean that I experienced the incredible pain of broken relationships and schism, personally. I'm pretty sure that no pain was ever so acute as that of showing up on a Sunday morning and discovering that "theological differences" now separated me from those whom I have long loved. One morning, we are discovering God together and the next, we are strangers, cut off from sharing our hearts.

The Psalmist put it this way,

"It is not enemies who taunt me—
   I could bear that;
it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me—
   I could hide from them. 
But it is you, my equal,
   my companion, my familiar friend, 
with whom I kept pleasant company;
   we walked in the house of God with the throng."

Is not this insane behavior, especially, in the name of God? Has it not always been insanity? I confess that, for thirty years, these splits and their fallout have been the greatest sources of pain in my life!

Please know that I am committed to supporting the development of new ministries in our Christian tradition but that I especially long for faith communities that take seriously the call to live into the fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5: " love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." 

This morning, a friend sent me a link to Jonathan Sacks and Krista Tippet working their way through "The dignity of difference." I was especially struck by the candor with which England's Chief Rabbi claims that the future of civilized society depends on us getting this right. I was reminded of Ken Wilbur's claim that only religion can uncork the fundamentalist pressure cooker that threatens all of us.

There is a popular bumper sticker around Asheville that states "We still pray" (in reaction to the local moves to separate church matters from state matters). If ever there was a time to pray publicly, it is now. The prayer that I would offer is one that has been with me for 20 years.

"Spirit of God, open our hearts to hear the words you would speak to us and open our spirits to reflect on their meaning.  But most of all, we ask that You would open our arms and our lives to each other that we might discover your Presence, right here in the broken bread of our lives."

My fervent prayer is that we commit ourselves to a generous orthodoxy that prizes a new fidelity to the faith once delivered to the saints. This would be the kind of orthodoxy that remembers the humble claim of our founder, "Greater love hath no one than this, than that one would lay down their life for that friend." That kind of love is why I am here today!

Referenced:

The Dignity of Difference (November 11, 2010) as aired via "On Being" which can be found here: http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/dignity-of-difference/

K. Wilber's Integral Spirituality

Psalm 55

Galatians 5

Bridging over to a more honest approach . . .

As always, anyone can create a huge following with righteous indignation or rage against injustice or decrying social ills. Problem is . . . the energy is so virulent -- it acts like a tumor. After a while, even people who are "on the same side" start consuming each other -- righteously of course! Matthew Fox (drawing from Meister Eckhart) refers to this as energy deriving from the Via Negativa. Theologians refer to it as an "apophatic approach." In short, it is describing your outcomes in negative terms. Examples might be, "We want a government that won't sell the average person short." or, "We want clergy that don't compromise on the orthodox faith once delivered to the Saints." or, "We want a church that doesn't practice any form of racism." or, "We don't want the Episcopal Church to decline in Sunday morning attendance any further."

OK, now you've told us what you don't want. Great. Can you share with us your dream for _______ (fill inthe blank)? I mean, can you tell us, in positive declarative terms, what it is for which you are willing to give yourself? What is your Via Positiva?

When the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King jr stood up on that incredible morning and announced his own visions, he did not start out with, "I have a strategic plan!" or, "Here is a list of all the social injustices that need to be addressed right now, by God!" He started out by announcing that he (and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes) had a dream. He then went on to describe that dream in such powerful and compelling terms that we are still harvesting the fruits of that speech (and his life) today! He relayed the details of his dream in visual terms, in aural and kinesthetic terms -- in other words, in terms that appealed to all of the learning styles. He laid out his longings in such hopeful and compelling terms that this many years later, I cannot find a more lush description of the Beloved Community.

So, where are the dreams that the people of God hold out as compelling calls to action for all of us, today? Who is following in MLK, jr's example? Who is willing to lay down their life to announce those dreams so clearly and so compellingly that there is no "Maybe"response available?

So compelling that there are no "Maybe" responses . . .

Shuffling deck chairs . . . ?

 

Critics of organized religion seem to observe a perennial return to the sinking of the HMS Titanic 98 years ago as metaphor for the failing of American denominationalism. The conversation where this pops up is usually about some seemingly banal aspect of the organized part of organized religion. The retort often goes like this, “They’re shuffling deck chairs on the fantail.”[1] The lore says that, right up until the last second (before the Great Ship went under), the band was playing and the revelers were moving deck chairs around for a better view. In other words, the implication is that the leaders of organized religion are so oblivious to the realities evident to everyone else that they are still shuffling deck chairs instead of heading over to the lifeboats, along with the rest of the band.

Lately, I’ve been rethinking the slur, but in a surprising way. What’s dawned on me is the question, “Why would we compare ourselves to the Titanic in the first place?” Certainly no expression of faith communities would intentionally compare themselves to a luxury liner whose privileged passengers rode nearly 75 feet above the realities of the ocean. Or, maybe it is the myth of the invincible Titanic that encourages the comparison – I don’t know. In any case, I’m pretty sure that the comparison between the Titanic and institutional church are not helpful.

But . . . followers of the Rabbi known as Jesus of Nazareth have never ridden (for long) in any luxury liner unassailable by the realities of the average person. Those committed to rescuing the drowning certainly would not attempt to offer help from ten stories up! I’ve come to think that it’s actually these images of faith communities (and their hierarchies) that need to hit the iceberg of our current realities. By the way, if you’re into nautical metaphors, you might try on a far more helpful metaphor known as the “Parable of the Crude Little Life-saving Station.” You’ll find that right here. 

 

---

[1] Actually means: actions taken solely for the feeling (or the appearance) of doing something about an unavoidable situation; actions that not only accomplish nothing but *blatantly* accomplish nothing. (Found at the Urban Dictionary online on October 18^th, 2010 at http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=it's%20like%20shuffling%20deck%20chairs%20on%20the%20titanic)

fait accompli ?

In Diffusion of Innovations, Everett Rogers defines diffusion as "the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system." I know that sounds kind of heady, but recently I’ve wondered if Dr. Rogers was noticing variations of giftedness that each of us possesses. Maybe the “diffusions” are understood best as a range of personal responses to innovation, based on faith capacity to embrace change or innovation. Might our ability to see, recognize and then “try on” innovative responses to a changing world depend on the level of faith that each of us innately possesses?

Lately, it’s occurred to me that Jesus of Nazareth was about as innovative an innovator as one might find for his time. He took what were common beliefs and practices and tipped them over on their collective ears just far enough that his followers could hardly turn back to their former ways. They had seen the Light – a new Realm – beyond anything they could have imagined on their own.

So to borrow from Roger’s “Diffusion” idea, why was it that Simeon and Anna could immediately recognize the God Child and say, “The time has come!” and yet it took Peter 3+ years of being with Jesus before he can finally recognize the One asking him, “Do you love me?” Simeon recognized not only Jesus but also the beginning of a new era (see Luke 2:29–32 for the rest of the story). Stepping back a little in the Hebrew Scriptures, why was it that Moses could lead a tribe through Wilderness for forty years and yet he could not cross over one little river into the Promised Land? Rogers’ categories of adopters are: innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards (Rogers 1962, p. 150). Which one of these do you think Moses was?

Also, what was it that Simeon was announcing so distinctively? He says, “Let me go . . . in peace.” If Everett Rogers were to apply Diffusion of Innovation to Simeon and Ana’s response in the Temple, as well as to Peter, as well as to Jesus’ step-brother Thomas, where would they fit on the continuum of responses to the radicalizing life and teachings of Jesus? Where would I fit?

Last week, I was with a group of thoughtful leaders who were mapping the new roles for authority in emerging systems. The expected role for authority in dying “systems” or organisms is to support safe and incremental innovation and to resist anything that upsets the sacred apple carts. Lately, I’ve sensed that it doesn’t have to be so. At this retreat, we had mapped the life cycle of a dying organization and next to it (and slightly overlapping) we mapped the life force of an emerging and lively system, full of hopeful responses to a changing environment. We invited participants to find their place on the two arcs and then talk to each other. At one really insightful moment, the dying system’s primary leader faced the emerging organization’s leader and their eyes locked. There was a brief silence – it was pregnant! (Those watching later remarked that the “role play” aspect disappeared for a moment and all of us were waiting on the real future longing to be birthed in that moment.) From the middle of that silence, a voice came out of the depths of the person acting as seasoned leader in the dying system. He dropped to one knee and with total abandon he cried out, “I beg of you . . . stand in the authority that is yours and let me release my need for control . . . !” The role play stopped there – we had what we’d been looking for.

Abraham negotiated with God to save a city for the sake of one. He actually bargained with the Divine to change the expression of Divine justice all the way from what was to be expected down to an absurd token of municipal commitment – one person! (Yup, those are some serious negotiating skills!) And yet . . . Moses was told that he could not enter the Promised Land and, as far as we know, he accepted the decision as fait accompli. He did not have Abraham’s grasp of God’s compassion and, shall we say, “negotiability.” Still, I wonder, if he had really wanted to, could Moses have entered the Promised Land, a couple of steps behind Joshua in their “Crossing over?” I wonder … what would it have been like for a wizened Moses to freely support the upstart Joshua? Did he really have to go down with the old system and die a sort of Hero’s death? I am not so sure.

Just imagine! What if more and more of the leaders in our dying systems accepted the call to stay in the game but hold open space for new leadership, new expressions of faith and life, and even new understandings of power and authority? Imagine that!

As always, I welcome your responses and ideas.

Tom

tbrackett@episcopalchurch.org

New videoconference support and training groups that focus on skills development

As you may have heard, over the last 24 months, I’ve called many of our Bishops in the Episcopal Church to ask how I might be most helpful to them in my new role as the Episcopal CHurch Center's Missioner for Church Planting, Ministry Redevelopment and Fresh Expressions of Church. Making those calls and conducting those interviews have been well worth the time and energy required. So many of our Diocesan leaders have told me that they specifically need help in supporting leaders who are offering remarkable ministry but would benefit from a little extra support. In response to those suggestions, I am now leading 8 unique videoconference support and training groups that focus on skills development in three areas. The three areas are New Ministry Development, Ministry Redevelopment and Fresh Expressions of Ministry (sometimes referred to as “emergent” ministries).

 

Each of these groups has from 12 to 15 participants. The groups meet for 90 minutes every two weeks. We ask for a 12 session commitment and then we take a break for a month or so. At that point, participants are given the option to continue on to the next level of engagement with each other or with a new group.

 

As of August 2010, I have been blessed to work intensively with 589 clergy across our Episcopal Church in this way. I’ve learned so much from these encounters and it seems like this is the time to cast the net even farther. That’s where I’d like your help! But first, let me share a little of what I’ve learned from these groups!

 

Each of these groups has high standards for confidentiality, truthfulness and mutual accountability. Each group forms unique ground rules and maintains commitment to the process, on its own. For example, we start on time and we end at 90 minutes. We start and finish with prayer. We work through focused skills development processes and we hold to high standards of engagement. We also practice getting comfortable with silence, when needed.

 

Each session has a co-facilitator (chosen from the participants on a rotating basis) that is charged with helping me present the session’s skill and relevant readings. They also present a scenario where they’ve recently used that skill, successfully or unsuccessfully. We then move to group question and sharing time and close with prayer for each other.

 

One of the factors that contributes to the uniqueness of this venture is that each person comes to these groups on his or her own motivation. In other words, though each participant came to his/her group by referral or recommendation (or by my own recruiting), they made the commitment because they were ready to. That level of motivation has led to a 92% “show up” rate!

 

Early on, I was dismayed at how long it took to form community via these webinar or teleconference (and now videoconferencing) media. Today, after working with 23 groups, I advise the newly formed group members that they can pretty much count on finding their “groove” after 6-8 sessions. Great things happen during those first 4 months but it starts to feel like community right about 10 weeks in. I’ve also learned a few things about accelerating that bonding process from the beginning.

 

Regarding content . . . So much of what I’ve learned from these groups has to do with the realization that the leader’s greatest gift is their own sense of Presence. We spend a substantial amount of time in the first sessions working through personal skills, conflict management, visioning, learning to minister from our Strengths instead of weaknesses and getting back in touch with the joy of our respective callings. From there, we move into Skills development – especially those skills relevant to the focus of the group (whether New Ministry Development, Redevelopment or Emergent Ministries Leadership).

 

As you might imagine, the process that has evolved is pretty nuanced. The groups are comprised of educated, thoughtful leaders who know to a.) ask for help and b.) learn to listen for the leading of the Spirit, both privately and publicly. I’ve recently completed extra coursework in the areas of group facilitation, coaching and process consulting. I feel like I still have much to learn, but most of that will probably come from participants in these groups.

 

The feedback I receive from participants is that, once they’ve bonded with a group, they want to continue with the process. I take that as real encouragement to continue starting new groups and taking the training to a new level. Words cannot convey how much I appreciate this incredible opportunity, at this time in our Church’s life together.

 

So, dear partner in ministry, here’s how I’d like your help. Would you think about those leaders in your corner of our church who would appreciate the support of like-minded and similarly engaged peers from around our church? These groups are most relevant for those developing new ministries and those intentionally redeveloping ministries that have been in decline. I would welcome any suggestions from you and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about this outreach, as well. A member’s participation is kept confidential and so is everything that the individual shares. I have found that to be an essential element in developing soul to soul community in this venture.

 

 If you have someone in mind, or if you have questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. You can find the complete listing of public calls that are open to newcomers (both lay and ordained) right here:  http://bit.ly/9kHYTz I conduct local groups that are assembled from leaders within a particular diocese or province. Let me know if you’d like to work with me to tailor a training group for your unique ministry context. In the meantime, please be assured of my commitment to support you and your ministry to all of us.

 

With growing hopes and perennial gratitude,

 

 

Tom Brackett

646-203-6266

Come join us this Thursday at 3 (Eastern) !

As you may have heard, we had a great VideoConference call last month as we explored the core elements and practices of “Gathering and nurturing your core team.” We look forward to continuing this conversation (Part 2) and we hope that you will join us in two days – same time and same place – this Thursday at 3!

Here is where you find the sign up instructions: http://plantingcentral.typepad.com/bench/monthly-gathering-for-church-planters-and-new-ministry-developers-in-the-episcopal-church.html

On that note, if you have a group of leaders (lay and/or ordained) in your diocese that would like some focused training around new ministry development, or ministry redevelopment, or leading new forms of ministry (emergent or Fresh Expressions), please let me know. I’ll gladly coordinate the platform, training and great content from leaders around the church, as we discern what might be helpful ­for you! And, as always, please feel free to contact me with any questions at 646-203-6266. I also welcome your feedback and suggestions at tbrackett@episcopalchurch.org.

Tom

Does this describe your ministry? Then let's talk!

Over here is a working definition of Fresh Expressions, as offered by Bishop Graham Cray: http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/about/introduction

"A fresh expression is a form of church for our changing culture established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church.

• It will come into being through principles of listening, service, incarnational mission and making disciples.
• It will have the potential to become a mature expression of church shaped by the gospel and the enduring marks of the church and for its cultural context."

Would you help me out by letting me know of ministries that you think are living into this definition? I often receive inquiries from folks around the Episcopal Church (and increasingly from other denominations!) -- folks wondering where they might find evidence of new hope in our churches.

Here is what I promise.

This will not turn into a "Who's in" and "Who is out" directory.

This is not about finding the perfect "Fresh Expression."

It is about highlighting our neighborhood churches committed to ministry that benefits those who are not yet members of any church. It is also a way of gathering together the pieces of a US conversation that might lead to a culture shift in our ministry conversations.

Questions? Call me at 646-203-6266 or e-mail me at tbrackett@episcopalchurch.org

In the meantime, if you are leading one of these Mission-shaped ministries and you'd like to connect with others leading Mission-Shaped ministries, come join us on first Fridays on our Monthly VideoConference call. It's casual and it's free. Here are the directions for joining us: http://plantingcentral.typepad.com/bench/1st-fridays-at-4-a-gathering-for-those-leading-fresh-expressions-or-emergent-ministries.html

Tom