Appreciative Inquiry

I've been doing a lot of reading about a strategy for organizational change called Appreciative Inquiry. While it's not new to the corporate world it seems to be rather slow in catching on in churches. The premise of AI is that all organizations have some positive things going on. By capturing the spirit of those positive things the organization should be able to move forward much more quickly without spending so much time, energy and money on putting out the fires of "problem solving." As I've read the case studies and poured over the concepts I've been struck by the simplicity of the concept. But I've also begun to see some of the Biblical basis for this change strategy.
Jesus' introductory discourse (Matt 5-7) is built on the concept of highlighting successes. The Beatitudes as we call them, are pronouncements of blessing because of the attitudes and actions of those who receive the blessing. The basis of the gospel message is one of recounting the victory of Jesus' over sin and death with an eye toward our own similar victory (1 Cor 15). The entire letter to the Hebrew Christians is filled with stories of the successes of Christians and was written for the specific purpose of showing the strength of an enduring faith in Jesus Christ.
As I continue my journey toward the educational pinnacle of a Doctor of Ministry degree, I am looking forward to employing the principles of AI in helping the congregation I serve to become a highly evangelistic, productive body of God's people. With His help, our memories and the sharing of stories we will do just that.

Fall is in the air

Our move from East Texas to Maryland is complete. Of course, every move brings changes that are rather obvious...new house, new routes to learn, new church familes to meet and new regional "worldviews" to name a few. One change that we often forget about though is the climate difference. When we left Texas we were in the middle of an awful drought. The daily temperatures were still rather summer-like and there was no real relief in sight. We arrived in the D. C. area to steady rain, temperatures that were some 30 degrees less than what we had been experiencing and leave that were beginning to make their wonderful color known.
As I've observed those differences I've been reminded of God's amazing work of creation. Each year it plays out for us all over again. The seasons bring their unique perspectives of life, the terrain shows off the mighty hand of God in the rising and falling of hills and the streams and rivers exhibit the power of the Lord to provide all that we each need on a constant basis. The reminders that I am experiencing right now take me back to the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 1 when he wrote, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse."
That's right...nature reminds us that God exists and that we rely exclusively on Him for our very existence.
I pray that as Fall sets in whereever you live you will be able to be reminded of His providing hand, His unmatched power and His amazing love.

Another Beginning

This coming Sunday, October 9th my morning sermon will be entitled, "New Beginnings". In this 2 lesson series we'll explore some of the opportunities we've been given to start all over again in light of the new ministry we have begun with the Silver Spring church. Inmy research for that lesson I opened the Christian Chronicle online and read the story of a new sister in Christ. It's always thrilling to hear of the new birth of another of God's children but this one was different...this babe in Christ is 108 years old! That's right, she was baptized at the age of 108!!!
When she was born electricity hadn't reached very many in our nation! She was only 42 years removed from the Civil War. But at that advanced age she came to understand that it's never too late to start over again. The lesson is clear and simple...in Christ Jesus, every person is new, every morning is amazing and every opportunity presented is another new beginning.
My prayer is that I will NEVER waste a single new beginning as I try to show my great God how much I love Him and appreciate what He has given to me...a new beginning with an awesome ending!