Organic Community
I just bought some books today and one of them was “Organic Community” by Joseph Myers (author of The Search to Belong). I have a feeling that this book will help the development of the Veritas community (www.veritaspa.org) as we are striving to be an organic community formed and grown more by relationships than programs and grown by those relationships and not so much by advertising (though we are still doing some of that). The first Foreward is by Randy Frazee and I was struck by two quotes he uses. The first one being, “He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils” (Francis Bacon) and the second is “There is nothing more perilous than change” (Machiavelli). I am struck by these two statements. We in the church seem to be stuck in the middle of these statments. Some don’t want to change but by not changing they bring, what Bacon calls, “new evils” and others want to change but don’t always see the effects of said change. Frazee goes onto say, “Because change is so difficult, we often delay moving in the new direction due to the mistaken notion that while things may not get better, they certainly won’t get any worse. Now, instead of making the necessary changes, we also must deal with the negative effects of postponing that change.”
That I believe in a nutshell is where I am right now. (see my previous post) Somewhere between risk, change, and the status quo.
But aren’t we all?
Ryan
19 Apr 2007 RyanBraught
Hey Ryan… I’ve been waiting for this book to come out… it’s been on my wishlist on amazon for so long, that I forgot when it was due out! I love Joe’s writings and am anxious to read it, as I think he has his hand on the pulse of something that our society is seeking but can’t find… coummunity! One of the things that the CoB has to offer the world!
BUT, put the book down and go get the book “In a pit with a lion on a snowy day” by Mark Batterson… it is more in line with what you need to be reading right now at the phase of discernment you are in! BTW, how did your discernment team meeting go? You’re in my prayers, Brother! Let me know when that little one comes too!
Hi Ryan,
I like what your write about change and the quotes that you share. I’m particularly reminded about those who want to keep the status quo by blocking change. They often do end-up bringing new evils — the negative effects of not changing. If only congregations could realize this by deciding not to decide on change or postponing it.
I’m not sure if I agree on the Machiavelli quote. I think you could also say, “There is nothing more perilous than not changing.”
Thanks for sharing!
Jeff Glass
Thanks for picking up the book. Let me know what you think after you get through it!