Reflections . . . Week 2

Week 2 has come and gone ...

Wow, just a week ago I walked into class (albeit late) and into Jared's lesson on Complex Adaptive System. My brain did a complete "Qu-wah?" and fizzled for a moment. Thankfully, as he continued it began to make sense. A complex adaptive system (CAS) really relates to our society and coincidentally the church as well.
There is: rapid change, high uncertainty, indefinite richness, and limited availability of information (due to the face that there is rapid change). It is a reminder that while we can't change history, we can learn from it and apply those lessons to future decisions. I really like that Jared brought in the video clip about Wikipedia. It really helped me to picture a working CAS. This is how it needs to be with the church. As society changes around us, the church needs to recognize and acknowledge these changes. We need to establish as a body of believers what are the fundamentals (things that won't ever change, such as Jesus is our only way to the Father) but then be will to adapt what can be changed so that we meet the needs of the people and society around us.

With regard to Chapter 2 - Planting Churches: Why?, I really liked how Murray layout out each of the reasons in a coherent manner. He clearly defined what they were, even going so far as to give personal examples, both good and not so good, to help the reader to really comprehend the idea better. He also outlined both sides of the coin about how these ideas thrive in certain areas and situation and why they might fail in others. He clearly establishes a bunch of guidelines that church planters need to take into account as they pray about potentially pursuing a church plant. Some that stood out to me were:
-develop your goals and understand your motives well in advance of putting them into action and express them to those you are going to work with
-be careful about deeming a church "ineffective" in it's ministry and always proceed with humility and respect
-recognize that social boundaries can often separate people and therefore create a need for a church plant.

I am slowly starting to get into this book and I can tell that it is going to be helpful in future ministries regardless of whether I am called into church planting or not.

J.Wideman

Culture Clash & Philosophy

Interactive classes are great teachers.

Tonight's class was a good reminder and lesson regarding cultural respect, social interactions and directional philosophy.

Respect & Social Interactions: As a (somewhat) average young adult who has grown up in the multicultural country of Canada, I have so often fallen prey to the mindset that anyone who has come to Canada has or will adjust their cultural perspective in favour of our Canadian "culture" (which in and of itself is near impossible to define). Playing the game in class reminded me if why it is so important to not only acknowledge that everyone has a different cultural background but to also respect it and our differences. A persons culture as well as life experiences defines where they come from, who they are and who they will become. If we as church planters come into a community and completely disregard the cultural circumstances of the people that make up that community then we risk disrespecting the individuals and groups. Rather than peaking curiosity, interest or support for the church plant we open the door to ridicule, prejudgement and disdain. We must respect one another's cultural background, especially in our interactions, and spend time learning about each other in non-invasive, friendly manners.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/c/culture_clash.asp

Philosophy Food for Thought: Andrew brought up a great point in class about knowing where your church plant's directional philosophy lies. Are we planting a new variety of "church" for other Christians? Or are we looking to plant a church that is there for all people, to be the light of Christ in the community around us?

J. Wideman