Comments on: One Thing That Scares me http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=one-thing-that-scares-me Practical Stuff for Church Leaders Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:18:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Friday Links :: jasonpetermann.com http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17073 Friday Links :: jasonpetermann.com Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:31:33 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17073 [...] Stevens talks about institutionalism and moving forward in his post: “One thing that scares me.”  He also had another great post this week that you need to read called “What Do You [...] [...] Stevens talks about institutionalism and moving forward in his post: “One thing that scares me.”  He also had another great post this week that you need to read called “What Do You [...]

]]> By: Jedidiah Maschke http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17069 Jedidiah Maschke Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:03:38 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17069 I may be part of a different generation, but I'm not too scared of institutionalism. When you look at what's needed to sustain a movement for years and even decades, there is a level of institutionalization that is necessary. I'm reading the biography of CFW Walther right now, the founder of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Here's a guy who took a movement (a few hundred people and half a dozen pastors who refused to compromise their beliefs in Germany and moved to the US) and through his work in media, academia, and as a pastor was the driving force in creating a denomination that boasted more than 2 1/2 million people 80 years after his death. I agree that innovation is essential, and I believe that there has to be a level of trust and permission-giving from the highest ranks, but like any corporation or movement, the focus can remain strong for decades to come as a result of good, healthy institutionalization. I may be part of a different generation, but I'm not too scared of institutionalism. When you look at what's needed to sustain a movement for years and even decades, there is a level of institutionalization that is necessary. I'm reading the biography of CFW Walther right now, the founder of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Here's a guy who took a movement (a few hundred people and half a dozen pastors who refused to compromise their beliefs in Germany and moved to the US) and through his work in media, academia, and as a pastor was the driving force in creating a denomination that boasted more than 2 1/2 million people 80 years after his death.

I agree that innovation is essential, and I believe that there has to be a level of trust and permission-giving from the highest ranks, but like any corporation or movement, the focus can remain strong for decades to come as a result of good, healthy institutionalization.

]]> By: Ed Bahler http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17042 Ed Bahler Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:29:27 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17042 Tim, Great post and an excellent job defining the place many successful ministries find themselves today. It's so easy to slip from a passionate movement to a safe, comfortable church. We're enthused to have you a part of the "Future Travelers" effort as we work to discover how to go from church back to movement. Ed Bahler Tim,

Great post and an excellent job defining the place many successful ministries find themselves today. It's so easy to slip from a passionate movement to a safe, comfortable church.

We're enthused to have you a part of the "Future Travelers" effort as we work to discover how to go from church back to movement.

Ed Bahler

]]> By: Tim Stevens http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17041 Tim Stevens Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:23:43 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17041 We agree. In this scenario, I would define "innovation" as finding a different way to do something that works better than the way we've been doing it. The Church should find ever-better ways and environments for people to become like Christ and make disciples. We agree. In this scenario, I would define "innovation" as finding a different way to do something that works better than the way we've been doing it. The Church should find ever-better ways and environments for people to become like Christ and make disciples.

]]> By: Ken Eastburn http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17040 Ken Eastburn Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:20:19 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17040 Great post, Tim! If I may offer a cent or two: innovation, while it may be better than institution, is not a good pursuit for the Church. The goal of the local church should not be innovation, or movement, or any other pretty sounding words that make us sound cool and stylish. The goal of the Church should be to become like Christ and make disciples. Innovative or not, this will be the only worthwhile pursuit. Great post, Tim!

If I may offer a cent or two: innovation, while it may be better than institution, is not a good pursuit for the Church. The goal of the local church should not be innovation, or movement, or any other pretty sounding words that make us sound cool and stylish. The goal of the Church should be to become like Christ and make disciples. Innovative or not, this will be the only worthwhile pursuit.

]]> By: Talbot Davis http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17037 Talbot Davis Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:34:25 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17037 Nice picture of Princeton University ! Nice picture of Princeton University !

]]> By: ebuford http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17034 ebuford Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:32:16 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17034 When I read this I’m reminded of Abraham Lincoln who said: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.” Thanks for leading the charge! When I read this I’m reminded of Abraham Lincoln who said: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.”

Thanks for leading the charge!

]]> By: Julie http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17039 Julie Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:43:27 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17039 I love this analogy: "Like we’ve just taken off in a plane for an island we can’t see with just enough gas to get there and we aren’t even sure we are heading in the right direction but we are together committed to keep going". It can apply in so many areas; marriage, parenting, career. Mind if I borrow it? I love this analogy:

"Like we’ve just taken off in a plane for an island we can’t see with just enough gas to get there and we aren’t even sure we are heading in the right direction but we are together committed to keep going".

It can apply in so many areas; marriage, parenting, career. Mind if I borrow it?

]]> By: jskogerboe http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17038 jskogerboe Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:19:58 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17038 Awesome awesome awesome. God, help me be a Spirit-fueled leader, a catalyst for the MOVEMENT of Your Kingdom that you want to see realized in our church. God save me from church-preservation techniques. Tim, thanks for the jarring and encouraging WAKE-UP call. God bless you and GCC. Awesome awesome awesome. God, help me be a Spirit-fueled leader, a catalyst for the MOVEMENT of Your Kingdom that you want to see realized in our church. God save me from church-preservation techniques. Tim, thanks for the jarring and encouraging WAKE-UP call. God bless you and GCC.

]]> By: dale http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/02/one-thing-that-scares-me.html#comment-17035 dale Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:49:25 +0000 http://www.leadingsmart.com/?p=5266#comment-17035 We are truly blessed and fortunate to have great leaders at the helm for GCC. It's often difficult to see what your own mole hill looks like - it's reassuring that the SMT is cognizant of the continued "ripple". I still feel just as energized (if not more now) to walk through the doors as I did a little more than two years ago. Will continue to pray for all of you! We are truly blessed and fortunate to have great leaders at the helm for GCC. It's often difficult to see what your own mole hill looks like – it's reassuring that the SMT is cognizant of the continued "ripple". I still feel just as energized (if not more now) to walk through the doors as I did a little more than two years ago.

Will continue to pray for all of you!

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