Thursday, February 25, 2010

Purpose Driven? or Purposely Driving others out of Business? The "Suicide Post"


Ed Stetzer is a good guy! Don't hold the fact that he is a Southern Baptist against him...I don't know the guy, but he is one of those who has attempted to creatively, passionately, and lovingly bring new paradigms of ministry into the "abyss" of contemporary churchworld. He is a visionary...he has written some good books and he still provides thoughtful ideas that are meant to spur the Church onto faithfulness.

Recently, he talked about being at Saddleback Church (you know, yes, that one!) to do some speaking...unfortunately, and unbeknowst to him, I read his post...and it touched off something inside of me that I haven't felt before. Context - I was in SoCal last weekend to speak at the retirement banquet of my friend and former ministry partner Jim Hale. During that time I was there, I had a conversation with one of the pastors of the church...he is attempting to build a ministry in a neighborhood not too far from the "main" campus of the church in Irvine. He said, with some trepidation and sorrow in his heart, "things are tough building a faith community in Orange County - but it just got tougher now that Saddleback is starting another satellite campus in the same neighborhood...how do we compete against that?" I have prayed for this sincere, passionate, and humble young leader every day since I left SoCal.

Now...back to Ed Stetzer...he made his post about his visit to Saddleback...and I felt "inspired" to email him the following:

Ed - I've never emailed you or posted on your blog though I must say that I love what God is doing in and through you as you are "used" by the Spirit in as apostolic leader. I don't see that too often in Western Christianity..you definitely have that gift! Anyway, I read your blog daily...have quoted you and copied articles you have written to pass on to the people I "disciple" in the missional project that I facilitate. I only have one thing to share about Saddleback...I have watched Saddleback, been at training sessions there as well as pastored a church in their "OC" backyard...unfortunately, the "other" side of a mega-ministry is the marketplace pressure that is put on small communities of faith in their neighborhoods. I talked to a ministry leader in Irvine the other day...he is leading a faithful missional ministry in a neighborhood...he has labored there in an attempt to shift some paradigms that will move "ekklesia" into the 21st century, postchristendom era. Unfortunately, Saddleback decided to do another of their satellite campuses right down the street from his "rented" facility. Saddleback has the money, publicity, and marketshare to kick the proverbial "a**" of any other presence in that area. Yes, it is about relationships....but when a church like Saddleback believes that "it" has the Kingdom goodies at the expense of what others are doing, I can only call it what it is - ecclesiastical bullying. I used to admire Saddleback...but if they would stay where they believe God has planted them and not take up a colonialistic mindset that hurts the broader Body of Christ because they (smaller communities and gatherings) can't compete in a consumeristically driven society/culture, then all I can say is "I'm jumping off the Saddleback bus"...Big churches, like big and powerful nations, only have a specific "shelf limit" in history...my question, when Saddleback's time in the spotlight is over, will Western Christianity really be better off? I don't think so! Anyway, had to get that off my chest...despite all that, keep up the great ministry! I can't wait to read what you will be up to next.

I'm posting this for a couple of reasons - first of all, I'm an idiot - I like to "air" my feelings and insights and put them out there for my "community" to share with me in a creative and loving conversation. I don't presume to be right...I simply have reactions to what I see when courageous ministry steps are squelched by those who have had "success" in a consumer driven, modernistically driven culture. Secondly, I'm doing this to get you involved...let's do some talking. NO, I'm not "megachurch" bashing...that's too easy of a target...what I am suggesting is that we discuss how we do minsitry in a postchristendom world where numbers (if you are a sheer numbers person) are NOT looking very favorable for the Christ-following movement.

Jump on in! You can do it via emai (rdugall@apu.edu) OR by simply posting here!

Your brother,
Robin

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Adaptive Challenges and fresh expressions of ministry


One of the realities that we confront in the book of Acts is how the word, “organic” can truly epitomize that early movement of Christ-followers. To say that they were being led by the “winds of the Spirit” would almost be an understatement of the life they lived. Jesus didn’t leave His followers with a method, a formula, or a program…He left them with the promise of His presence and power. The rest? Oh well…gotta depend on God, I guess! No guarantees…no assurances of cultural success…no glory measured out in worldly terms…only Kingdom living at its most basic, exciting, and most unpredictable.

Friends, the early followers of Jesus were encountering an Adaptive Challenge. Now, let’s step back for a moment and clarify something important - there is a HUGE difference between what some have called Technical Challenges and Adaptive Challenges. Technical challenges are those we know how to solve, they are mechanical. You have experts around who can assess situations and apply proven methodologies to the challenges. Adaptive challenges, on the other hand, require changing people’s minds and hearts. Adaptive challenges are those where there are no proven methodologies or formulas. Where, in most cases, attempts have been made to solve issues with conventional tools…the end result of those efforts? Failure and frustration. In Adaptive Challenges, people have to learn new ways and choose between what appear to be contradictory values. If you throw all the technical fixes you can at the problem and the problem persists, it’s a pretty clear signal that an underlying adaptive challenge still needs to be met . Most social problems are adaptive challenges. ALL Kingdom issues…all issues within the mission of the “ekklesia” are adaptive challenges.

Distinguishing Technical from Adaptive Challenges
  • What’s the work? Technical Who does the work? Authorities/Experts applying current know how
  • What's the work? Adaptive Who does the work? The people with the problem through learning new ways
That’s the reason why the issues we face in ministry within 21st century culture DEMANDS that we attempt fresh expressions and have the determination (courage) to experiment with any and everything that we have at our disposal in order to be faithful to the call of Jesus. Now - Fresh expressions can be an unpredictable business. Offers of help may come from surprising quarters. Opportunities may emerge that are a total surprise. Pioneers' frequent refrain, 'We are making it up as we go along' reflects the messiness that is so often part of the journey.

This doesn't mean you have to fly completely blind. There are some principles that can assist you. My advice would be to pay close attention to them. They will help you to lay in some firm foundations and avoid problems later. Unfortunately, these principles should be tailored to each situation. There is no blue print. Fresh expressions of “church” start in all sorts of different ways – some intentionally, others almost by accident. It is vital to adapt what seems to work well rather than just copy what others have done.

One person that I know who is doing some incredible ministry in another country uses the acronym, “GETON” as a reference point for a fresh expression of Kingdom living. It stands for the following processes (look it over and see what YOU think):

G - Getting together with at least one other Christian. As you check whether your expectations and understandings are on the same page, hopefully a sense of shared call will emerge.

Getting together → a shared call

E - Exploring the possibilities through '360 degrees listening' – to the people you may be called to serve, Christ-followers we are close to, the experience of the wider church and to God directly in prayer and Bible study. Hopefully a vision for what to do will be confirmed or start to emerge.

Exploring possibilities → a shared vision

T - Thinking ahead involves imagining how the venture might journey toward some sort of “ekklesia” expression. Imagination is difficult because it is our nature to snap back to familiar paradigms and what appears to be “working” methodologies. Yet, living in the flow of the Spirit in these times takes the courage to ask, “What is God doing here and now? What are the things of the Father that He is doing in our lives and in our community that I/we simply want to affirm and participate in?” Remember, God is at work in people’s lives and in your community’s life already…you don’t bring God’s presence to people…God is already there! Having an imagination to think outside of the comfortable paradigms and models we are used to depending upon may free you to be who God wants you to be in a fresh expression…

Thinking ahead → shared values

O - Organizing support – prayer support, from the people you are called to serve, permission-givers and the wider public…you must have the humility and desire to share the mission…adaptive challenges take a community to be able to address…individual ownership in the process empowers people to be who God has made them to be

Organizing support → a shared venture

N - Nurturing people through appropriate training, consistent vision-casting, making sure everyone is clear about their role, building a sense of community, etc. This is where YOU become whom God created and call you to be – you are an equipper of the “saints”. Don’t DO/BE for them what God has called them to do/be – you teach, train, pray…you do what God calls you to do with passion and let Him take care of the rest.

Nurturing the team → shared leadership

Friday, February 12, 2010

New Post coming on Saturday!


It has been a good and long week - a group of NOW District pastors/leaders assembled in Portland in order to enter into a collaborative conversations regarding life, ministry and church.

I've taken extensive notes - will post more tomorrow (Saturday) on the second and third days. So, check back.

In the meantime, here are a couple of links:

Faith Communities Project - Robin Dugall's website that gives an overview of the Faith Communities Project as Friendship Celebration Lutheran Church in Meridian.

Robin Dugall's personal blog - sometimes reflective, sometimes goofy, sometimes...oh well...don't know what to say!

Will be providing MORE resources and a place to download docs, videos, powerpoints, etc. next week!

So check back! More to come...anticipation!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

PDX Day #1 - Straight from the Notepad to you!

As promised - straight from the notepad to you! Now, you would think I would have my digital act together and I would just "cut and paste"...nope, didn't work that way today...maybe tomorrow. For now, you want to know about the discussion/conversation going down at the Tracking the Spirit/Faith Communities Conversation? Here are a few insights hot of the interaction - still fresh!

Denny Langston and Denny Lorenz started the day with some reflections on the history of Tracking...what started as a church planting initiative with a series of measurables eventually became a ministry that was "highjacked" by the Holy Spirit. And I quote, "there's nothing wrong with church planting, but the Holy Spirit changed our direction - "discipling disciples who disciple others" became the new emphasis. Isn't it amazing, sometimes when you are following the Holy Spirit, you end up in a different place than you believed you were going...something about the "Spirit blows where it will" (i.e. John 3).

Dr. Paul Ford joined the conversation for a majority of the day...bringing his passions, experience, ministry perspective and wisdom to the group. A few of the highlights that I picked up:
  • "God is tired of our tactics"
  • "When you are living in the Holy Spirit there are many things that you planned to do that you discover didn't work - but then there are all sorts of things that really worked that you didn't plan"
  • "The ministry Leader is primarily called to be a good steward - a trustee of the collective gifts of God revealed not only within their own lives but in the lives of others"
  • "In Body Life - personal significance is NOT in stuff, position, money, reputation, or accomplishements - there is nothing you can do, preach, earn, write or say that will make you more significant than who you are already in Jesus Christ"
  • "We have a specific design to live out in the Body of Christ - in other words, you and me are not only significant but we have a significant role to play"
  • "Our role in ministry is NOT our salvation or our significance"
  • "We have ONE part to play in the drama of God - we don't multiple roles nor especially all the roles to play - when we play more than the role God has given us, we rob others of their precious significance in God's story"
  • "Team - God calls us to the will or desire for relationship...in other words, the Spirit moves us intentionally and dramatically from the "I" to the "we"...unity is not something we "trip" over but rather it is a choice"
Was there more shared and taught? Were there more insights? By all means...and I might have an opportunity to share more of what other people noted during today's conversation in the coming days on this blog...in the meantime, feast on these dear friends! Check out Paul's work - go to his website and see the types of things that he has dedicated his LIFE to communicate and mentor to the "Church" at large. One of the major components of the Tracking the Spirit journey is the discovery of our significance and identity in Jesus Christ through a thorough understanding and living out of our giftedness in Christ.

More to come tomorrow...

Tracking the Spirit "Conversation" begins today! PDX Day 1







Need I say more...pictures speak louder than words!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Listening and Objectives...a year ahead and steps to take


You might say I have it a bit 'backwards'...but trust me, the listening has occurred and is always a vital part of my life these days. Here's a snapshot of some of the objectives I have envisioned for 2010 within the sphere of influence that God has given me. To not take the setting of objectives seriously is not to take the responsibility seriously...so these guidelines are there to map out how I spend my time and energy throughout the day and coming year. The program I use is called, NovaMind Mind Mapping. This system was originally shared with me by uber-blogger Bill Kinnon (kinnon.tv) and has proved to be very helpful in taking logical and "picture oriented" snapshots of some of the processes that are occurring in my life. I thought I would post it today for one specific reason - to "air" my plans. Sometimes, at least in my life, plans and goals can be sufficiently hidden from view and thus not available for others to push back and hold me accountable within community to be who I've been wired up to be. So, enjoy...if you want more...email and I'll give you more! If you want to push back - push away!