Creative endeavors require a team but there is a difference between a committee-driven  process versus a collaborative process. Recently, I posted a list and some of you added your insights as well to this idea.

Here are some examples in the church today of the results with art by committee: Read the rest of this entry »

Art by committee comes out rather ugly, but art by collaboration shines.

One of the biggest frustrations in any creative endeavor is dealing with committee-driven process. This is not the same as collaboration. Its one thing to sit in a group that nit picks rather than team together to create. Let me contrast the two.

Committee vs. Collaboration

• policy / results
• opinions / ownership
• tinkering / crafting
• power / process
• beige / colorful
• safe / risky
• boring / fun
• defused /  potent
• status quo / fluid

Let me know what you think about the differences here. Are these true to your experience?

The Submergent Church
When your church staying above water doesn’t seem to matter anymore

There are a lot of blogs and posts out there on the emerging, emergent and other movements that are now misnomers or defunct. One category has always been with us: The Submergent Church. After all, there are things that keep a church from sinking. Some of those things might seem like common sense. But, we are in the church world where even though we believe God created the laws of physics we hold that they do not apply to us!

Speaking of the laws of physics… Read the rest of this entry »

When things are not looking up and you have to pull out ahead, what are some questions that come to mind? This profoundly hit me with a quote this week that although was meant for personal context, I think institutionally it can be applied:

You cannot pray yourself out of something you behaved yourself into–Andy Stanley

If that’s the case, maybe some questions about what I am doing are in order. Yes, pray. But, praying is also listening to God as you allow Him to speak to as you reflect on the past and present and dream for the future.

1. In making decisions, do we overly value relationship and status quo over the possibility for greater results?
2. Is change made because of putting out fires or because of the fire of a dream or vision?
3. Are there systems in place that create enough margin to dream, plan and evaluate?
4. What behavior(s) do we need to change in order to grow?

These helpful to you? Any feedback?