I’ve hinted about some conversations, opportunities and new thoughts that are shaking my world right now. I truly believe–in 5 years Granger won’t look anything like it does today. You may not even recognize it as being the same. God is prepping myself, Mark Beeson, Rob Wegner, our entire senior team, and many of our staff and volunteers for something that we have a hard time explaining.
How can we go somewhere when we have an idea of the destination but can’t adequately explain how we will get there? Dee Hock explains it this way:
One need not know and be able to prove in advance what could be accomplished. One need not have a precise plan about how to get there. In a complex, rapidly changing world, a clear sense of direction, a compelling purpose and powerful beliefs about conduct in pursuit of it, seemed to me infinitely more sensible and robust than mechanical plans, detailed objectives, and predetermined outcomes. (Pg 169, One From Many, Dee Hock)
I wonder often–what would happen if we’d just get out of the way? If the structure, systems, restraints, obligations, debt, connections–what if none of that held us back? What could be accomplished? What would the future look like?
What if those with the greatest power, wealth, and position were to open their minds to new possibilities, loosen their tenacious grasp on the old order of things, abandon the palliative of cosmetic change, open their eyes to new forms of organization, seriously question and change their internal model of reality? What if they were to cage the four beasts that devour their keeper–ego, envy, avarice, and ambition–and take the lead in a new order of things? What if they were to go before and show the way? (Pg 203, One From Many, Dee Hock)
What if? We are on a path to figuring it out. It’s one of the reasons we’ve put the Innovate Conference on the shelf for 2010 and instead are inviting people to a conversation about this new future.
But don’t wait until November–you probably have thoughts now. Please share!
7 Comments
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tim Stevens. Tim Stevens said: What if those with the greatest power, wealth, &position would loosen their grasp on the old order of things? http://is.gd/bp4h2 [...]
Tim this really excites me! That's all I can really say right now. I have been thinking alot about the things you mentioned here and I want to share more but I need to collect my thoughts so they will make sense. More to come later.
I think that a fluid structure is important. Organizations that don't change and have the nimbleness to do so quickly become obsolete in our world of rapid change. I like what Will Mancini hits on in his book, Church Unique, that rather than have a bunch of statements and strategic plans, you need to find your unique mission/vision as a church and run all decisions and evaluate all existing operations through the prism of that mission/vision.
This all makes sense in theory, and I'm on board. But I'd be remiss if I said I'm worried about the effects of constant change on my staff. For directional leadership, change is sometimes exciting and welcome. This is helped by the fact that we're always "in the know". But for many staff members, change is not welcome. They're not entrepreneurial minded. Stability is part of what makes them good employees.
So, how do we create a fluid organization that adapts and changes quickly and efficiently but that doesn't make your staff feel like they never have their bearings straight?
Tim, this hits so close to home, it's like you've been in my head the last 18 months or so. I couldn't easily sum up my thoughts in a comment here, so I responded in kind via my blog, here. I hope you don't mind. Essentially it boils down to "my realization that Christianity is (read: should be) simple. If we truly believe what the Bible says, and surrender wholly to the Holy Spirit, then everything else becomes secondary. We don’t really have to work that hard. I get it, that’s an idealist view. As I’ve written here before, I’m an idealist through and through. Every time I’m challenged on this, I convince myself that I’m just being naive and stray towards cynical. Until I read God’s word and am reminded about having a child-like faith. And then, the world seems right again. For me, at least."
I would love to hear more/talk with you more on this topic. The more people grasp the ability to get out of the boat, step out in faith, and keep our eyes set on Jesus – without any clue how we'll survive – the greater the opportunity for God to do His thing.
I'm in. About three or four weeks ago my wife in prayerful anticipation of what the future is going to bring.( Please note that our feet are always planted right in the here and now.) Almost like excited school children. Honestly, we had some tear filled moments that we're not used to experiencing. I exclaimed; " I don't know whats gonna happen, but its gonna happen, whatever it is". It is our hope that we'll have positioned ourselves with the willingness to do whatever it is that Gods wants us to do. Jake said best. "fluid structure". And Lance if you don't mind me paraphrasing; having a child-like faith the world seems right again. I cant wait to see whats been going on in other heavenly places Tim. Welcome back.
I have holy anticipation of what God is doing in the gut of everyone who is desperate for Him. These quotes & gathering will be off the chain! Anyone else feel like they're tasting a little bit of heaven when we think & live like this?
this resonates with me b/c i sense the same thing. i have felt pressure to do the "norm". But there is a stirring within me that God wants us to do something different, unique. the only problem….i have no idea what that is!! i heard Dave Gibbons recently give a talk about shifts, i sat there and cried b/c it was exactly what had been churning within me. i am now reading his book, "the monkey and the fish", wondering if this is what "it" is that God is doing. i hope i can make the conference.