People have asked whether Catalyst is a Christian foundation. I don't really like the question. The founders are committed followers of Jesus and I am also; in that respect everything we do is in some way Christian. But we are somewhat reluctant to identify Catalyst with that adjective. The reasons are slightly complex, but basically we wonder about all the assumptions that are made when anything is tagged as Christian.
We have determined that within the work of Catalyst we are not funding programs that are focused on explicit evangelism and church planting. We are active in our own churches and we certainly do believe that there is a need for the truth and grace of Jesus to be shared sincerely and broadly. We just don't believe that is the primary role for Catalyst.
So, where does faith fit into to our work? That too is complex sometimes. Most of the best leadership and relief/development organizations and resources we can find have Christian people in positions of great influence. In some cases the organizations identify as Christian, in some they don't.
Today I read an article arguing that the greatest social need in the world is not health, economics, or even justice; but restoring proper relationship with God. I certainly believe the hope and direction that come with salvation are the ultimate deliverance, and I hope that in some way my life points to that reality. At the same time, I'm wary of those who encourage people to "go, be warm and well fed" while they pass out religious literature and warn of the peril of hell.
I find myself thinking about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It's pretty hard for people to consider the claims of Christ if their children are dying of polluted water. Medical Ministry International understands this well, as do some of our other partners.
I would truly love to hear how the above article resonates with some of the rest of you.
Showing posts with label churches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label churches. Show all posts
Monday, January 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
On a lighter note...
Recent posts have been fairly earnest. This should remedy that trend.
Re: Evaluation of Non-profits/ministries;
Cartoonist: Ed Koehler, 1984 and Christianity Today International/BuildingChurchLeaders.com. Used with permission
Re: Evaluation of Non-profits/ministries;
Cartoonist: Ed Koehler, 1984 and Christianity Today International/BuildingChurchLeaders.com. Used with permission
Friday, May 9, 2008
Context as Culture
Lunch today with Darrell Winger, Community Development Pastor at The Meeting House; one of the fastest growing and most intriguing churches in Canada. I blogged about a previous with their Teaching Pastor recently. I wanted to understand more about the uncommon leadership culture they have developed.
Darrell (whose role makes him essentially the bishop of the multi-site church) affirmed that there really is no predominant leader in their inner circle. They truly do function as a mutually submissive team, respecting one another's strengths and roles.
A lot of our conversation was about how they bring in new leaders who have established themselves in a more common hierarchical leadership system. Essentially, it is a matter of introducing them to a new culture, not unlike what happens when we travel internationally. Newcomers have to become familiar with both the formal published systems of The Meeting House, but also the subtle nuances of tone, jargon, and relationship that make up the heart of the way things are around here.
Some newcomers are able to embrace that change, others can't. The challenge is to discern which is which before giving someone a leadership role.
In Catalyst's approach to leadership we talk about these as aspects of Context. Someone may be remarkably skilled (Competence) and have high integrity (Character), but be fundamentally unsuited for a role because they don't, can't, or won't adapt to the particulars of the culture.
Our hope, through our mentoring and high school leadership programs, is that we can help promising leaders sort through where they can fit in most effectively. It is more an art than a science, and as people progress in life their fit may change. It takes insight and sensitivity to help someone with matters of context.
Darrell (whose role makes him essentially the bishop of the multi-site church) affirmed that there really is no predominant leader in their inner circle. They truly do function as a mutually submissive team, respecting one another's strengths and roles.
A lot of our conversation was about how they bring in new leaders who have established themselves in a more common hierarchical leadership system. Essentially, it is a matter of introducing them to a new culture, not unlike what happens when we travel internationally. Newcomers have to become familiar with both the formal published systems of The Meeting House, but also the subtle nuances of tone, jargon, and relationship that make up the heart of the way things are around here.
Some newcomers are able to embrace that change, others can't. The challenge is to discern which is which before giving someone a leadership role.
In Catalyst's approach to leadership we talk about these as aspects of Context. Someone may be remarkably skilled (Competence) and have high integrity (Character), but be fundamentally unsuited for a role because they don't, can't, or won't adapt to the particulars of the culture.
Our hope, through our mentoring and high school leadership programs, is that we can help promising leaders sort through where they can fit in most effectively. It is more an art than a science, and as people progress in life their fit may change. It takes insight and sensitivity to help someone with matters of context.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Myth of the Alpha Male
I got to spend a very enjoyable lunch eating ribs with an old friend Bruxy Cavey, teaching pastor at The Meeting House, one of the most intriguing and impactful churches in Canada.
As always, the conversation was very thought provoking. Among the topics was the paradox that Bruxy has become one of the premier Christian communicators in Canada (though he denies it) and the one holding responsibility for the ethos of this rapidly growing church, despite having a personal style that tends towards relative passivity and prefers to avoid confrontation. He is the antithesis of the traditional alpha-male leader.
As we were talking he commented that the rest of the inner circle of leadership influencers share his temperament. Others have taken note of this and commmented on how unusual that is. It brings out a remarkably strong sense of team, and requires mutual humility from all the leaders, not only those below the top.
I know another person on staff at The Meeting House who in the past had a much more traditional leadership style. In his early twenties he accomplished some amazing things, but occasionally left a trail of hurt feelings in his wake. I'm very interested in how he is being affected by this atypical environment.
As always, the conversation was very thought provoking. Among the topics was the paradox that Bruxy has become one of the premier Christian communicators in Canada (though he denies it) and the one holding responsibility for the ethos of this rapidly growing church, despite having a personal style that tends towards relative passivity and prefers to avoid confrontation. He is the antithesis of the traditional alpha-male leader.
As we were talking he commented that the rest of the inner circle of leadership influencers share his temperament. Others have taken note of this and commmented on how unusual that is. It brings out a remarkably strong sense of team, and requires mutual humility from all the leaders, not only those below the top.
I know another person on staff at The Meeting House who in the past had a much more traditional leadership style. In his early twenties he accomplished some amazing things, but occasionally left a trail of hurt feelings in his wake. I'm very interested in how he is being affected by this atypical environment.
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