James Ensor's painting was used by James O'Toole for the cover of his book "Leading Change". O'Toole points out that leadership dynamics have changed. His study is around leadership as it pertains to business. However, I found the content had much to say to those involved in ministry. O'Toole states there are three forms of leadership approaches as it relates to change. 1. Change Because I Told You, "I'm the Boss" 2. Change Through Manipulation, what would be known as the "Machiavellian approach"  and finally 3. Change It Is For Your Own Good best understood as a "paternalistic approach". O'Toole's use of Ensor's painting was to pose the question, 'In the great diversity of life as depicted in the painting how does Jesus change such a world to embrace the the action "to love your neighbour"?'

Jesus is the great study for change. His life speaks volumes of how one would seek to bring about radical change. James O'Toole makes this statement about change and leadership, "Moral and effective leadership listen to their followers becasue they respect them and because they honestly believe that the welfare of followers is the end of leadership (and not that followers are the means to the leader's goals)." Hmmm, now there is a slant one does not often hear.

So some of you may be saying 'well I can agree with that but what does that have to with me, I'm not a leader, I'm in no elected role'. It strikes me that as persons who follow Christ who believe the Good News, this statement is important. The implications are huge. What does it mean 'to make disciples' and to whom is the instruction given? Is it only for a select gifted few or is the mandate for every person who professes to know and follow Jesus Christ?

I would suggest the mandate involves all who have chosen to follow Christ. When we review the present crisis of the Christian church I would suggest part of our challenges stem from operating on the assumption that the world is best changed by the employment of the gifts of the 'gifted few'. Really such an approach flies in the face of how Christ set about bringing change. He chose a few. He poured his life into a few. Few of them were of the academic elite.

So how does another person begin to either to discover or rethink the value or the possiblilities of 'loving God' and 'love your neighbour?' I would suggest this happens when the common ordinary follower of Christ takes up their responsibility and loves that person as their neighbour. In such an approach the person experiences begins to experience the love of Christ. The ordinary Christian then becomes the leader who leads another into a deeper understanding and experience of what it means to be loved by God through Jesus Christ. So where is Jesus in your parade of life? Does the diverse crowd you come in contact with know His love and presence through you? When did one of them experience Christ listening to them and expressing His love and care through you? 

Let me know what you think.

wesm@southsidecommunitychurch.com

In a culture that in many ways similar to that depicted in James Ensors, painting its important to know what God has called us to do. Jesus makes the statement "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." If we would follow recent the results of recent assessments of the church in general the broader culture, we find there is a majority who believe in God,  However, the evidence is they are not approaching the community of faith as the means to receive  a greater understanding of God. Even today as I was looking to pick up a book from Chapters, the customer service person who helped me locate the book The Goodbye Generation, knew the church in general is struggling.

My experience with churches when they have plateaued, they tend to grasp at straws such as a new program or an attraction that will draw people. For others they would complain that we have moved too far from our traditon. Every church has a tradition of the 'good old days'. We try to develop the model again and stick hard to it with greater zeal. Some churches and denominations are rethinking what church should be how it ought to effect the culture that surrounds the faith community. I suppose for us as a local community we need to ask both corporate questions and person questions. How should Southside Community Church affect Riverbend? How should we affect Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the world? Maybe for some of us our concern is only for ourselves and our families. Maybe the fruit Jesus was speaking of was only our families.

If our view of the fruit of which Jesus speaks is greater than merely our own concerns. We must determine 'how great do we believe our impact ought to be?', as it pertains to bearing fruit. Once we have come to sense of what that may look like we need to ask 'am I doing my part?' What is my load, my responsibility? What is the evidence that I am sharing the load within the body? Am I using the gifts that God has given me. Do I know what my spiritual gifts are? These questions when answered will likely lead each of us to action points.

Really as a community of faith we need to ask do we need to change? Other communities are changin do we need to change?

Below are some links to illustrate how communities of faith are seeking to address their times and culture and glorify God. Take the opportunity to view them and think about what they are doing or hoping to do. Do you agree with their approach? If yes why? If not then why not?

http://www.london.anglican.org/London-Challenge-Film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l90eiNB7nMw

Let me know what you think.      wesm@southsidecommunitychurch.com