February 2011 Six-Agency Leadership Initiative Consultation
At the invitation of the six agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), thirty leaders from across the PC(USA) gathered in Dallas, Texas, on February 9-11, 2011, for a conversation about leadership for the church in the 21st century. Here are the fruits of their conversation.
To have such a group of generative women and men from the depth and diversity of God's creation gathered to discern, discuss, debate, delineate...and even to wait upon the Lord...that is a great source of hope for this incredible expression of the body of Christ called the PCUSA.
by Nicholas Yoda
April 5, 2011
Most of what I read is well meaning rhetoric. Meanwhile Phyllis Tickle says we are on the cusp of a new reformation and Sallie McFague calls for an environmental reformation. I prefer the term:Reformulation. There are 4 entities that every human connects with, whether she recognizes it or not. These are: God, nature, others, and self. Reformulation will involve Recognition and Relationship with these. Gone will be institutionalization for its sake, promotion because that's 'what we do', and frustration because it didn't work. Present will be hoards who realize that the call of the spirit is being answered and that in true relationships among God, nature, others and self, all things are being made new. Shalom, salaam.
by Ted Dürr
March 22, 2011
I'd love to hear Nicholas Yoda's source of hope from his comment of Feb 17th, and from it maybe get an answer to Sue Corman's question, "Now what?"
by Emrys Tyler
March 14, 2011
Oh, and by the way, please get a clue about social media. Holding comments for moderation is perceived by anyone versed in social media as a sign of a scared organization. If you want to project an image of authenticity - which is a hallmark of leadership - stop moderating comments. The public can decide when a comment is inappropriate, and will judge you not by the comment, but by how you handle it.
by Richard Hong
March 14, 2011
I have to say that the document represents what seems to me to be cluelessness about leadership. If you want to study leadership, invite people who have been SUCCESSFUL leaders - pastors of GROWING churches (esp. non-denominational churches), military leaders, CEOs of growing companies (particularly entrepreneurial startups). They can speak about leadership. The document doesn't actually even discuss "leadership" as the term is conventionally understood - which is the skill needed to move an organization in a particular direction. A leader casts vision, inspires people to that vision, and organizes people to achieve the vision. It was, quite frankly, a sad document to read. What it says to me is that the people in charge of this process were more concerned with defending their (obviously ineffective) present way of doing things than with nurturing the kinds of LEADERS who will get things done.
by Richard Hong
March 14, 2011
I posted more background on the reason why the planning team chose this process and conversation model. Hoping it is helpful for those who want to use this design. http://theresaecho.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/how-to-shape-conversations-in-the-21st-century/
by Theresa Cho
February 25, 2011
Great resource! There is much hope in and for the PCUSA...
by Nicholas Yoda
February 17, 2011
Sharon - sweet, smooth, lyrical with teeth. You captured it! Now, what????
by Sue Cornman
February 17, 2011