I joined a facebook group recently – KEEN (Kansas East Elisha Network). The facilitator, Jan Todd, offered the following question. My thoughts and reflections are below.
Jan’s Question:
I did this excercise with my Pleasant Hill (I actually had them hold magic wands – Harry Potter’s made a whoosh sound – most loved that!) Anyway – if we want things to change – we need to know what is in your hearts and in your minds. What picture would you like to draw forth and into reality?
So the question is: If you had a magic wand that could guarentee sucess of what you asked for – what three things would you change about the Kansas East Conference? Furthermore – how do you think this task would be accomplished WITHOUT the magic wand?
Dustin’s Reflections:
I write knowing that I am moving to KS West, but still see myself as a Kansas clergy – East or West (maybe someday Kansas Conf.):
- Like Mitch and Stephanie – strategic appointments, but even more than that, I think strategic use of resources (training, $, facilities, etc.) to make manifest the kingdom in areas of focus.
- See ministry not as a bunch of individuals or even individual churches doing their own thing, but seeing us as really connected. Thus we would need to find authentic healing, collective vision, and find ways to join in ministry for a broader scope of ministry. This would mean giving up old standards of power and dividing lines. It might mean changing the expression of our polity to redefine “local church”. It would be similiar to what is happening with KCK churches – but for whole metro areas or regions, if not also the state.
- Finally, I see us focusing on going deeper in our spirituality, in our willingness to risk ourselves for participating in a just community, and maturing in our emotional being (see Friedman’s The Failure of Nerve). This hard work is the most viable solution for long-term transformation of ourselves, the church, and the world.
Let the Spirit (in the manner of a wand) whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Your Turn!
What are your thoughts on my three wishes? What would you want to change?
