God of peace, you do not ask us to be troubled by remorse, but for humble repentance of heart that is a surge of trusting in you. And, through your forgiveness, you place on our finger the ring of the prodigal son.
- Taizé
In his system, the congregation is always focused on the people who are not yet arrived. Every program, every movement, every dollar spent must somehow relate to this group of people...the not yet here. It's interesting. He said again and again that people will ask "But what about those of us who are here? What do we get?" And you have to honor that, but not to the exception of those who are not yet here. In fact, pastoral care, and minding the store should be focused as to be a resource and witness to those who are not yet here.
He listed a few issues that may arise.
1. Reactivity (change hurts)
2. Herding (cliquishness)
3. Blame displacement (no one wants responsibility for past failures)
4. a quick-fix mentality (people want everything to improve immediately with as little investment as possible)
5. lack of well differentiated leadership (the pastor has to set themselves apart somehow and not share in the anxiety of the community in order to lead...this is very hard as we often minister via empathy.)
Again, these are the likely troubles that arise. We'll move in and out of them at various times to various degrees.
It's been an interesting workshop. This morning is our last session and then I'm back in the office to get some last minute items wrapped up for the retreat this weekend. CCW is off to Green Lake, WI. Huzzah!
Posted by tripp at September 27, 2007 06:19 AMIt almost sounds like he speaks as a spiritual father or spiritual director. Too much empathy in in spiritual direction I have found is dangerous, it upsets the proper power dynamics of the relationship.
I can hear what he is saying about being oriented towards those who will come. Though, my initial reaction is to say that he has mis-identified the true source of what is working. I am with you that much of it probably is due to the associate who is in charge of the pastoral care along with the, but also with the detachment piece. For instance if I was not somewhat detached from your leaving (which I know has disconcerted you a little) I would be less able to guide Reconciler through its own transition and point them to anticipate what is to come in positive and open ways. Detachment allows one to be open and receptive to the movement of the Spirit and what God brings to one or a community
Descriptions of this sort of hierarchical, relentlessly assertive pastoral leadership always make me feel queasy. Maybe just because I know I'm not cut out for it. For a dramatically different description of effective leadership, see the review of Brafman and Beckstrom's "The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations" in the current online Christian Century.
Posted by: Carol at September 27, 2007 08:28 PMWhile I can't comment on your immediate circumstances, Tripp, I can tell you that in my own experience, I think you're definitely right. In a small solo call like my own, detached leadership might be cutting the legs out from under me, even though my congregation desperately needs to change if we are to become an authentic 21st century Christian community. It's tough work, this pastoring stuff...
Posted by: Scott at September 27, 2007 09:47 PMCarol,
Re: Hierarchy
I think that there are a couple of things at work here. The polity of the ECUSA may be different enough to make a difference in the way he leads. And the size of the institution if not the initial worshiping community demands some strong structures.
What was an indictment of sorts was that his ideas of leadership are Ed Friedman's from top to bottom. All that family systems stuff...It's all there. Tully studied at the feet of Friedman for years. So, um, yeah. It makes me wonder if I either don't truly understand Friedman or if I actually, on some level, disagree with him. Huh.
Now you have me thinking in an entirely different direction. Great. Thanks, Carol. ;-)
Here is the link to the article you referenced: http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=3665
Scott,
I was thinking the whole time Tully was speaking that 90% of American churches are pastoral sized congregations...Solo ministers shepherding volunteer laborers...and I am not sure all of Tully's ideas work. And yet, if we are to move past our deeply held and perhaps inaccurate assumptions about community and America's relationship to Christianity as congregations, some of what Tully and Friedman are after will have to come to fruition.
Do pastors set the tone for the community?
Posted by: Tripp at September 28, 2007 02:37 AM