|
|
|
about the author...  Todd Hunter is currently the President of AlphaUSA. He was previously the National Director of VineyardUSA and holds a MA in Biblical Studies at Regent University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership in the Emerging Church at George Fox University Seminary. He lives with his wife Debbie and their two children, Jonathan and Carol Ann in Eagle, ID where he is presently helping plant a community of faith.
|
Deep Change or Slow Death by Todd Hunter
Deep Change or Slow Death Earlier this summer I read Deep Change by Robert E. Quinn. Quinn makes the argument that for persons, businesses or any other enterprise, the only options available to them are “deep change or slow death”. Here is a sample quote:"We live in a tumultuous time. Change is everywhere, and we are surrounded by circumstances that seem to demand more than we can deliver. We are all regularly lured into playing the role of the powerless victim or the passive observer. In such roles, we become detached, and our sense of meaning decays. We look at everything in a superficial way. We see little potential and have little reverence. To choose to play either of theses roles is to choose meaninglessness or the slow death of the self.We have always been embedded in a dilemma. We have always had to agonize over the choice between making deep change or accepting slow death." I know this is true for me and it is true in every aspect of my life. About a decade ago I learned that I was my own worst enemy; that my wife most of all, my family and 99% of my friends wanted me to “succeed”; to fulfill my calling both personally and in terms of ministry. The trouble is my calling has always demanded that I keep growing and continue changing. This was true in every “promotion”; spot on when I resigned as National Director of the Vineyard to pursue my “missionary” dreams and true now as I try to learn and serve Alpha as its National Director. I find it hard sometimes—I feel tired, like there is more demanded of me than I can deliver—and I want to stop growing. But my conscience won’t let me. Plus I know too much; I’ve seen “the slow death” in others and I don’t want to go there. Yet, I shall not whine—every mom with a few kids feels this too; every out of work dad; everyone feels this to one degree or another. This is a part of what it means to be human, especially in such drastically changing times. Surrendering Control Quinn describes “deep change” as: "...differing from incremental change in that it requires new ways of thinking and behaving. It is change that is major in scope, discontinuous with the past and generally irreversible. Effort at deep change distorts existing patterns of action and involves taking risks. Deep change means surrendering [But] most of us build our identity around our knowledge and competence in employing certain known techniques or abilities. Making a deep change involves abandoning both and “walking naked in the land of uncertainty..." I cannot remember the Latin phrase, but Dallas Willard has it on his USC business card these words of intention for his life: Nakedly to follow the naked Christ. No one could attempt such a thing without simultaneously pursuing deep change. The Greek word for repentance---metanoia---gets to the heart of this kind of change. Metanoia means to re-think everything and on that basis to turn and go a new direction. Willard puts it something like this: "on the basis of Jesus' announcement of the present availability of the Kingdom of God, re-consider your whole way of living…re-align all the aspects of your life with the reality of the Kingdom." "Traditional learning", Quinn says, "is linked with the past—it is learning something that someone else knows. Traveling naked into the land of uncertainty allows for another kind of learning, a learning that helps us forget what we know and discover what we need." I suspect that to Levi’s ears the words "come follow me" were filled with a mix of awe and hesitation. Yet, feeling companioned along the way, he traveled to the land of insecurity. "To make deep personal change is to develop a new paradigm, a new self; one that is more effectively aligned with…reality. For Christians, of course, ultimate reality is God; his plan, will, story and agenda. This realignment always feels risky: some people, as Quinn says, "suffer risks". That is to say risk is painful for some temperaments. I’ve risked a lot in my life. I have moved a lot and started afresh many times. There are aspects to that journey that I would never give up. There are other aspects that could have been better. However, as I analyze my present through the lens of my past, one thing stands out: the risks of following Jesus do not get smaller. In fact, the stakes seem to be getting higher all the time for me. I think what happens is that we "learn" in the way Quinn describes above. I find that I have to discipline myself to keep an appropriate perspective. Above all, for Christ-followers, we are always safe in the process; we actually are companioned along the way. When facing the need for deep change I am comforted by these words of Jesus from Matthew chapter 11 in The Message Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.nudus nudum Christum prosequi is the latin for nakedly to fillow the naked Christ and it comes from St Francis of Assisi. Brilliant article, the ideas of Robert Quinn should be looked at and explored by all churches serious abuot apostolic forms of leadership and change
YES! Making disciples means making learners! The future church will need to be made up of believers who are equipped from within for transformation and mission.
Todd...thanx for the splendid kick in the butt...to keep changing, crucial. You model it well...even in Keck's garage. :)
Print-friendly version of this page Mail this article
|