Navigating the maelstrom of missional leadership within a traditional context – I was invited to share in another denomination’s Good Friday service this year – one of seven people reflecting on the words Jesus speaks from the cross (mine were, “It is finished” – interesting, in the light of what I’m going to now share).
It was a long event so I had to leave before the end, and it was some time later that one of the ministers from this church saw me and thanked me for taking part. She went on to mention that some of the people there asked who was that young man and that what I shared was like a breath of fresh air.
I had to smile, not because I enjoyed the praise in any way, but because I am fifty years old and people have been saying things like this throughout my ministry. After 26 years as a minister in plenty of churches, I’ve concluded that, whilst people enjoy a little fresh air once in a while, it’s a lot different to having to experience the fresh all the time.
A couple of years ago, I read Alan Hirsch’s The Forgotten Ways, in which he writes that, as far as he can see, no previous movement of God has ever rediscovered its original vibrancy and energy. Now, I’m part of the Methodist church, which is right up there when it comes to the tables of most frequently quoted God-movements, inspiring many churches and leaders today, so when I heard this my heart fell. Having said this, Hirsch does include these words from Stephen Addison for those who seek to be apostolic figures in the denominations:
The apostolic denominational leader needs to be a visionary, who can outlast significant opposition from within the denominational structures and can build alliances with those who desire change. Furthermore, the strategy of the apostolic leader could involve casting vision and winning approval for a shift from maintenance to mission. In addition the leader has to encourage signs of life within the existing structures and raise up a new generation of leaders and churches from the old. The apostolic denominational leader needs to ensure the new generation is not “frozen out” by those who resist change. Finally, such a leader must restructure the denomination’s institutions so that they serve mission purposes.
You’ve probably already noticed the “furthermore,” “in addition,” and “finally,” in what Addison is saying and wonder whether it’s worth it staying in a denominational church, and whether it wouldn’t be easier just to begin something new.
One of the things I’ve been discovering as I’ve been becoming more of a missional explorer – something that happens when you’re involved in the IMN – is that I find life outside the denominational structures to be way more natural than life within them. Some of the marks of this include: the human story of which we are all a part, the human conversation that can begin once we become aware of this, who we are as humans, how I connect deeply with God, and, what is still a question: how then shall I worship?
So significant has been this movement that another question is forming: Is there a point in this journey, once reached, when and where it becomes more difficult to stay within the church then to form Christ-centered communities outside? Alex McManus makes a great point, one that in certain ways has haunted me all the years I’ve been part of Methodism: even if the institution loses it’s sense of mission, it doesn’t disappear.
This is a hot issue for me, and there are a few things I’ll be exploring: my own future; how it’s possible to be a missional leader in a traditional denomination; how missional leaders connect wherever they are working with God.
I welcome your input to all of this, and so, if I put this in the form of a “Who Want to Be a Millionaire?” question, and it’s time to call a friend, this would be it:
As Geoffrey becomes a more missional and less institutional, being, should he:
A) Leave the denomination and begin something new?
B) Stay in the denomination and learn to expect less?
C) Try to live in both worlds?
D) Create something bigger than A, B, and C?
So, as you’re the friend I’m calling; which answer would you choose, and why?
Geoffrey Baines
Senior IMN Operative
Scotland
Tweets that mention The International M Network » Blog Archive » Whispering in the Wind -- Topsy.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by JohnnyLaird. JohnnyLaird said: Good stuff! RT @alex_mcmanus Geoffrey Baines navigates the maelstrom of missional leadership in a traditional context. http://bit.ly/wKWoQ [...]
September 9, 2009patrick
this ‘phone-a-friend’ reluctantly casts his vote on (c), with the caveat that i think it’s not two different worlds but different perspectives on the same world. i believe that you could operate not unlike a John the Baptist (my second favourite Biblical person) – out on the fringe, often a spectacle but strangely attractive and sometimes misunderstood or maligned. as a wilderness innovator, you could continue to have an influence on the denomination while not expecting any less of yourself. if you can do so humbly, believe that they need you more than you need them – and leave it to them to decide whether or not to (figuratively) imprison or behead you.
if you don’t like that counsel, be sure to use your 50/50! … and i will continue to live out my own advice.
yours,
September 9, 2009river
John
Great stuff Geoffrey. Hard question for phoned friends. Let’s examine A-D.
A) What might you start? To what purpose would be served? Who might follow?
B) Expect less? Of what? Why? If you have to some degree found Methodism, or any form of denominationalism, to be amiss why stay aboard? What is it in Methodism that attracted you in the first place? What is different. Why Methodism and not Baptist, or Presbyterian? And if Hirsh is correct about the lack of vibrancy and energy, which I suspect he’s on to something, it seems to me the jumping into “missional” is premature before finding what actual Truth entails. How can we present something with conviction and fortitude if we lack the true knowledge of what we are selling, and the wisdom to present it appropriately?
C) Live in both worlds is interesting, practical and very natural. I mean we are beings that straddle two existences—our physical, biological self and our mystical, spiritual self. A lot of change can be accomplished from within as opposed to beating down from outside. Jesus changed the system from within the system. He didn’t brush aside the Law, but fulfilled it.
D) Dude, you have that kind of panache, I’m moving to Scotland.
Really though, great thoughts. Hope you are on to something.
September 10, 2009geoffreybaines
river,thanks for this.
what you share is very good. very insightful. you echo several of my thoughts, and i will be revealing my choice in the next article, and why i have decided on this.
thank you for your encouragement to all those who walk this way. you see how there is a prophetic dimension to such a walk, which i have decided must be lived with creativity, enjoyment, and generosity.
whispering.
September 10, 2009geoffreybaines
hi john,
thanks for the comments here. here’s a quick faith-story. i heard the gospel for the first time in a methodist setting and began to express my faith in different ways there. over these last 10 or 11 years i have appreciated how inspiring the early methodist have been to so many missional thinkers and doers.
i am now intrigued that this thinking about missional leadership is taking place in this methodist setting, but here’s the thing, it’s more about what is coming from the future than from the past that is catching my attention. this might be a new kind of methodism or it might not (it doesn’t matter what we call it, but what it is).
i’ll leave my answer until the next article, rather than giving it away now: thanks for the encouragement.
September 11, 2009Johnny Laird
Hi GB
Great thoughts.
They really resonate with my feelings at the moment, although I think I agreed with Patrick on the “different perspectives on the same world” notion.
I guess I’m in “C” at the moment.
Grace
J
September 11, 2009geoffreybaines
Thanks, Johnny. Good thinking. Watch out for my next article when I’ll be telling of my choice and why.
September 14, 2009Angela
Hi Geoffrey,
I like the novel way you presented your question.
My vote would be C. You should go where God is calling you to be. But he doesn’t usually tell you to give up on folk or the community/ church you are in but work with them to build each other up and move outward from there. This is my personal view especially if God has given you a love for your people/ congregation there is no way you can walk away to begin something new or accept less. However together with God and the people in your church you may well create something greater for His Kingdom.
Blessings,
September 17, 2009Angela
geoffreybaines
Hi Angela,
Many thanks for this. I have now written up my choice – I’m not sure just when this will be published – but watch this space.
The question, Do You Like People?, is a very important one.
September 21, 2009admin
The next issue will be out tomorrow morning, Tuesday, September 22. Your next piece is fantastic. Thanks, Geoffrey.
September 21, 2009