Wednesday, October 13, 2004
spiritual formation and the emerging church
The church I pastor has been, for the last few months, searching for another pastor. We’re looking for someone who can grow people. I just have this hunch that growing people is a really important task. So rather than appoint a general purpose type role, we are looking for someone to coach and mentor and develop people.
At first glance this might not appear emerging. I mean, there are these buzz words around like missional, all dualistically opposed to attractional (not, of course, that postmoderns are meant to be into dualisms!:)) Yet spirituality is big in the culture. So is life coaching. So it seems to me that if we focus on growing people, we can actually move beyond dualisms of come/go; attraction; missional – and get on with growing people. Some will be in the church, some outside; it won’t matter because the focus is a mission discipleship that spiritually forms people.
Anyhow, since we started looking back in August, I have been quite amazed at the level of interest. We’ve had 5 applications and over a dozen expressions of interest. Of even more interest is that almost all have been younger, and there have been a pleasing number of women. It has been neat to take a punt, in what seems a fairly unique position, and to have such a good level of response.
We are in the final days of sifting three ideal candidates; pray for wisdom.
)
What an excellent idea. I think with a male – the approach may be more wanting to do things quickly, where as with a lady the approach tends to be more sensitive.
Two thumbs up for an excellent idea. It will be interesting to gauge the results over a time period. Esp amongst the young people.
Comment by Bosshog — October 13, 2004 @ 4:50 pm
I think that sounds like the ideal kind of person for any kind of church – great stuff. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.
Comment by Darren — October 13, 2004 @ 5:39 pm
yes – great idea!
i see a lot my work at present is actually of that nature, both within and without the church.
i guess you could say that this is what we are supposed to be doing anyway. ie. equipping saints for work of ministry
i like it
Comment by hamo — October 13, 2004 @ 5:50 pm
I just turned 40 and so I have been acutely aware of this very subject lately. But I am inclined to agree with Tim to a degree. I could have the physical training regimen of Lance Armstrong (which I do not) and it would not stop me from the ravages of aging. As an American, I can tell you that national culture is OBSESSED with youth and ways to stay young. Ofcourse, I will try to take care of this body…but no matter what it’s going to age.
Do I like it? Nope. But I am beginning to be at peace with it.
Comment by Rich — October 15, 2004 @ 9:33 am
D’oh! How did my above post get here?! *sigh*
Oh well, sorry ’bout that.
In any case, Steve, I think your idea is an excellent one and it’s cool that you’ve gotten such a good response.
Comment by Rich — October 15, 2004 @ 9:37 am
Cool idea. Whether we’re struggling, surviving, succeeding inside or outside “the institution” we all need role models who can signpost and support.
Remember anything that e-merges develops through growing, and to do that they need to be nourished.
Comment by Tractor girl — October 17, 2004 @ 10:50 pm