2011 was truly a challenging year in my little corner of the world. I hate to invoke a metaphor I use too much - but it was quite a mountain to climb.
We made a few big decisions, some of which have proven to be good. For some, of course, we still await the verdict.
And all the while, the age-old conundrums mock us - "Why is everything so hard?" or "Why do bad things happen to good people?" or "Why is there so much suffering in the world?".
Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts
Climbing and Living
I'm thrilled about a number of things these days.
For instance, I'm thrilled to be investing my time and my gifts in a vocation that anticipates what Messiah will do when he returns.
I'm thrilled to be a small part of some significant ministry work being done by a great team of super-talented yet nonetheless-still-human folk.
And I'm thrilled to be able to provide for my family in the context of the above vocation. Believe me, it doesn't always work out that way.
Many thanks go to Compassion International for being such a tremendous blessing both to kids around the world and to its employees.
Yes, as they say, "it's all good!". And looking back, it's been an interesting journey so far - to say the least!
For instance, I'm thrilled to be investing my time and my gifts in a vocation that anticipates what Messiah will do when he returns. I'm thrilled to be a small part of some significant ministry work being done by a great team of super-talented yet nonetheless-still-human folk.
And I'm thrilled to be able to provide for my family in the context of the above vocation. Believe me, it doesn't always work out that way.
Many thanks go to Compassion International for being such a tremendous blessing both to kids around the world and to its employees.
Yes, as they say, "it's all good!". And looking back, it's been an interesting journey so far - to say the least!
The Love of Beauty
In Tom Wright's magnificent little book Simply Christian, he reasons that our attachment to beauty is an echo of God's voice. You could say that it's a pointer to Yahweh's original creation song.This afternoon I had a few moments to gaze at Beauty herself, to hear the faint echoes of our Creator's voice reverberating in the high desert through which I ran.
For me, the joy of running itself is a beautiful expression of the freedom that comes from truly believing in, hoping for and working toward the fullness of his coming Kingdom.
And then tonight I sat with my favorite coffee watching the sun settle over Colorado's most famous of mountain peaks - the longing in my soul slowly percolating to once again travel deep into the heart of those sometimes terrifying, always invigorating slabs of stone on yet one more adventure.
For me, it all points to a great Day yet to come, when perhaps, if it were possible, the air may be even a bit crisper - when perhaps, if it were possible, the colors may be even a bit brighter. And when, for sure, the nagging fear that it must all come to an End - will be no more.
Father, thank you for beautiful moments like these - moments that echo your very own voice that fills and stills our souls.
Thank you for Creation, for her pointers to New Creation and for the promise of the Resurrection where we will forever live with you.
Leadership and The Princess Bride
I'm reminded of a scene in The Princess Bride - one of our favorite movies. You remember the part I'm talking about - where Vizzini keeps exclaiming "inconceivable!" as the Man in Black gains on his ship.Westley has almost caught up and Vizzini yells "inconceivable!" one last time.
Inigo then classically replies, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means."
Yes, people keep using that word - "leadership". Preachers, teachers, authors and businessmen throw the term around like crazy. But in many cases, like Inigo, "I do not think it means what they think it means." :)
Adventures in Space and Time
Some of the most exciting adventures I've experienced have been adventures in Space. What I mean is that these experiences have been particularly adventuresome because of the location in which they took place.
Long backpacking trips in the big mountains, fishing in the deep blue sea, exploring the remains of ancient civilizations in the desert, packing loads of photography gear into glorious parts of Creation where it's impossible to take a bad picture - these are the adventures most of us remember for a lifetime.
Long backpacking trips in the big mountains, fishing in the deep blue sea, exploring the remains of ancient civilizations in the desert, packing loads of photography gear into glorious parts of Creation where it's impossible to take a bad picture - these are the adventures most of us remember for a lifetime.
Leading Desperate Lives
Here's a famous bit of Thoreau's Walden:
Thoreau connects the desperation of most people ("the mass of men") with their deliberate choice to live a "common" life. But to them, he says, there is no other choice.
I've found this to be true at times in myself and in those I've been privileged to lead. I think most of us are so afraid of losing something that we choose the safety of a mundane existence rather than the risk of an adventurous one.
We choose to live in patterns prescribed to us by our surroundings, by the institutions to which we cling and by our own past experiences. And rather than face our fear of failure, we console ourselves by believing that there really is no other choice.
"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go in to the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats.
A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.
When we consider what, to use the words of the catechism, is the chief end of man, and what are the true necessaries and means of life, it appears as if men had deliberately chosen the common mode of living because they preferred it to any other. Yet they honestly think there is no choice left."
I've found this to be true at times in myself and in those I've been privileged to lead. I think most of us are so afraid of losing something that we choose the safety of a mundane existence rather than the risk of an adventurous one.
We choose to live in patterns prescribed to us by our surroundings, by the institutions to which we cling and by our own past experiences. And rather than face our fear of failure, we console ourselves by believing that there really is no other choice.
New Heights
Today I thought I'd take a rest from the deep end of the pool and spend some time up in the shallow water, so to speak.
Here's a video I recently ran across. Now I love to climb rocks and ice and mountains, anything really, in the outdoors. But I don't know - this is just plain CRAZY.
Nervous yet? :)
Eyes to See
My son seems like a wholly different person than some years ago when I caught him unawares, gazing at the power and enormity of the sea."Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep." - Psalm 107:23-24
I can still see the awe in his eyes as he later remarked, "The ocean's angry today, Dad.". Josh had gotten a glimpse of His power.
Images like this mean more and more to me as I get older - for all the usual sentimental reasons.
But I think I'm drawn to this particular picture because - regardless of all the opportunities and experiences I've been blessed to have - I think I still feel like Josh did at the moment I took that picture.
It's as if I'm continually standing on the edge of something much larger and more mysterious than I can quite comprehend. The feeling is oppressive and foreboding and crisp and exhilarating - all at the same time. That's just how Adventure feels.
Life is truly an adventure for those who have eyes to see.
Father, give me eyes to see.
My Kind of Kid
I was sitting on a mountainside at about 11,500 feet in Colorado late one afternoon, and this little kid and his mom showed up.I find wildlife fascinating for all sorts of reasons, but this time, it was the grace and agility with which this mountain goat family ran up and down the mountain slopes.
I'm talking serious boulder chutes and tough 4th class terrain that I tend to poke through like a sloth. His momma just bolted down out of nowhere with him in tow, leaping and lunging, defying gravity like furry John Woo characters.
That blurry background is about 800 feet below the little fella, but he hopped right up on that stone, stuck like Spidey and took a peek over the edge.
I was impressed by these two. The momma teaching her son to survive in the mountain environment, to be constantly aware of his surroundings, to know his limitations and yet boldly approach the challenges that appear in his path. The kid, humbly learning and then testing his skills. Awesome.
Father, help me to be both child and parent - learning and modeling a wise and bold approach to the future.
Now Faith Is...
These 3 verses fall at the end of chapter 10 in the book of Hebrews.
"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,
HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.
BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK,
MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.
But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul." - Hebrews 10:36-39These verses set the stage for the magnificent Chapter 11 - perhaps the greatest words ever written about the lifestyle that we Christians are to pursue.
I've been spending a lot of time reading, meditating and teaching on the "lifestyle of faith".
I spent a day recently helping high school students understand the difference between faith and experimental knowledge. And last night, our house was packed full of bright college-age friends studying through this very topic.
I can't in one blog post repeat everything we covered last night.
The best thing to do is to read Hebrews 10:36 through 12:3 in a single push.
Think hard about what each person did, the decisions they made, the actions they took and THE HOPE they had for the future!
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.Think about their lifestyle, how they blended a strong belief about what God was ultimately going to do (the resurrection and the kingdom to come) with their decisions in the present.
For by it the men of old gained approval." - Hebrews 11:1-2
And then consider how you might live your life like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab and the rest of the crew.
In a nutshell, we MUST pursue a lifestyle that involves risk-taking, positive decision making and sacrifice - just like those great men and women in chapter 11.
The thrust for this lifestyle is the belief that God exists and will reward those of us who seek him diligently with a resurrection body that will never die, and a real, physical Kingdom where Jesus rules the entire world in perfect Justice, with no more death, no more sorrow and no more pain.
I pursue adventures in the mountains for this very reason. I train myself and those I mentor to seek adventure in every area of their lives - to develop the capacity to take appropriate risks, to sacrifice and to make positive decisions in the midst of an uncertain world.
I believe this prepares us to live our lives like those great people of faith in chapter 11.
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. . ." - Hebrews 12:1DON'T shrink back.
LAY ASIDE every encumbrance.
RUN the race.
ENDURE!
So, whaddya say - you in?
The Spell of the Typical
One of my favorite songs is Typical by Mute Math.
Some folks close to me have wondered why a mild-mannered midwestern guy like me would pursue things that aren't Typical for people with my background.
Stuff like mountaineering - like climbing rock and ice - like skiing not just downhill, but uphill as well - like shooting things at unimaginable distances - like doing all this in the truly wild places of our land, and like a bunch of other odd things I pursue. Mind you, I'm not saying I'm a pro at all of this. But I continue to practice, practice, practice.
The question is, "Why?".
Well, I've studied a few people that have made a big difference in the world. Each of them have had the capacity to critically evaluate themselves and their surroundings. They seem to be keenly aware of what they likely can do, and what they likely cannot do.
And when they're not sure - more often than not they decide in favor of the more adventurous route.
They can take risks. They choose adventure over safety-at-any-cost. They're not afraid.
This puts them in a class almost by themselves and they become our heroes. When we see their exploits, we ask ourselves, "How can they do stuff like that?" or "Why didn't I think of that?".
So over the last several years I've been in training. In business, in ministry and in life - I've been training myself to be more like these "difference-makers" and less like my old self. It's a conscious effort to learn to make better decisions, to take appropriate risks and to live free from fear.
Some days and some decisions are better than others - but I'm gonna keep at it. Not because I want to be cool (I quit worrying about that a long time ago). Not because I want to climb better and faster than anyone else (I'm too old for that). Not because I want to satisfy some extreme urge to dance on the edge and defy death (that's just silly).
I just want to live free - free from the limitations of my own preconceptions and free from the limitations others might enjoy placing on me. And most of all I want to complete that part of the Great Project that I've been uniquely created for.
Whaddya say?
Some folks close to me have wondered why a mild-mannered midwestern guy like me would pursue things that aren't Typical for people with my background.
Stuff like mountaineering - like climbing rock and ice - like skiing not just downhill, but uphill as well - like shooting things at unimaginable distances - like doing all this in the truly wild places of our land, and like a bunch of other odd things I pursue. Mind you, I'm not saying I'm a pro at all of this. But I continue to practice, practice, practice.
The question is, "Why?".
Well, I've studied a few people that have made a big difference in the world. Each of them have had the capacity to critically evaluate themselves and their surroundings. They seem to be keenly aware of what they likely can do, and what they likely cannot do.
And when they're not sure - more often than not they decide in favor of the more adventurous route.
They can take risks. They choose adventure over safety-at-any-cost. They're not afraid.
This puts them in a class almost by themselves and they become our heroes. When we see their exploits, we ask ourselves, "How can they do stuff like that?" or "Why didn't I think of that?".
So over the last several years I've been in training. In business, in ministry and in life - I've been training myself to be more like these "difference-makers" and less like my old self. It's a conscious effort to learn to make better decisions, to take appropriate risks and to live free from fear.
Some days and some decisions are better than others - but I'm gonna keep at it. Not because I want to be cool (I quit worrying about that a long time ago). Not because I want to climb better and faster than anyone else (I'm too old for that). Not because I want to satisfy some extreme urge to dance on the edge and defy death (that's just silly).
I just want to live free - free from the limitations of my own preconceptions and free from the limitations others might enjoy placing on me. And most of all I want to complete that part of the Great Project that I've been uniquely created for.
"Come on, can’t I dream for one daySo this new year - why not consider joining me on this road? You've got a significant chunk to complete of that same Great Project. You've got a unique set of gifts and passions. The Kingdom just won't be the same if you don't do and become what God has made you to do and to be.
There’s nothing that can’t be done
But how long should it take somebody
Before they can be someone?
‘Cause I know there’s got to be another level
Somewhere closer to the other side
And I’m feeling like it’s now or never
Can I break the spell of the typical?"
Whaddya say?
The Struggle for Significance
A good friend of mine is leaving a long-held job and finds a certain sadness in it. Another has just returned to the familiar only to plot a new course toward the unknown. And yet another is in waiting, hoping to be discovered by those he holds in high esteem.
I look at all these. And then I think of all the people over the years I've been privileged to encourage and to minister to. And in them I see pieces of myself.
What is it that drives us? What is it that churns our emotions and motivates us to take action, or in some cases merely stand by in muted desire?
Psychologists have long discussed the need buried in each of us for significance. The need to be validated by others. The need for our lives to mean something.
In some of us, this struggle for significance has erupted into full-blown narcissism. We simply must have more and more accolades and ever more fawning fans. We see, and we wish others to see, only ourselves.
On the other end of the spectrum, some of us have become so tentative that we have nearly become invisible. We cannot imagine that our lives will ever amount to anything, and this sense of inadequacy has brought paralysis.
And then of course, most of us are somewhere in between. We're neither self-centered egoists nor immobilized underdogs. We just bump along somewhere in the middle.
You know, I realize every day the truth of something my mom told me many years ago. She said that everyone - the narcissist, the underdog and everyone in between - is stricken with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. They all feel, to one degree or another, "less than". Yep, I think she was right.
So let me take this opportunity to encourage you to take your eyes off other people and simply be what God made you to be.
You have been uniquely made to do and to be something significant! You have a special set of gifts and passions that, when discovered and fanned into flame, will bring you into that place of significance and satisfaction you've longed for.
I've seen this so many times over the years. The depressed student that saw something new, perhaps in class or on one of my adventure trips. They took the new, made it a part of themselves and in the process a world of possibilities opened up.
I've witnessed many a fearful young man - more able to say what he couldn't do than what he could - realize his unique potential and then blast off into the future with the resolve that he could achieve his goals after all.
And I've seen this principle at work in myself. As I learned that my real boundaries were far more distant than what I thought - as I learned that I could make a difference and that I could overcome - I found a comfort in my own skin that I never had before.
Remember this during the Christmas season - God has placed in you gifts and talents and energies and abilities and desires and dreams and strengths and weaknesses - all for the purpose of having a significant part in building his Kingdom. And that's no small thing!
I dunno who needs to hear this - I dunno who this is for. But according to Mom, there's probably more than one! :)
I look at all these. And then I think of all the people over the years I've been privileged to encourage and to minister to. And in them I see pieces of myself. What is it that drives us? What is it that churns our emotions and motivates us to take action, or in some cases merely stand by in muted desire?
Psychologists have long discussed the need buried in each of us for significance. The need to be validated by others. The need for our lives to mean something.
In some of us, this struggle for significance has erupted into full-blown narcissism. We simply must have more and more accolades and ever more fawning fans. We see, and we wish others to see, only ourselves.
On the other end of the spectrum, some of us have become so tentative that we have nearly become invisible. We cannot imagine that our lives will ever amount to anything, and this sense of inadequacy has brought paralysis.
And then of course, most of us are somewhere in between. We're neither self-centered egoists nor immobilized underdogs. We just bump along somewhere in the middle.
You know, I realize every day the truth of something my mom told me many years ago. She said that everyone - the narcissist, the underdog and everyone in between - is stricken with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. They all feel, to one degree or another, "less than". Yep, I think she was right.
So let me take this opportunity to encourage you to take your eyes off other people and simply be what God made you to be.
You have been uniquely made to do and to be something significant! You have a special set of gifts and passions that, when discovered and fanned into flame, will bring you into that place of significance and satisfaction you've longed for.
I've seen this so many times over the years. The depressed student that saw something new, perhaps in class or on one of my adventure trips. They took the new, made it a part of themselves and in the process a world of possibilities opened up.
I've witnessed many a fearful young man - more able to say what he couldn't do than what he could - realize his unique potential and then blast off into the future with the resolve that he could achieve his goals after all.
And I've seen this principle at work in myself. As I learned that my real boundaries were far more distant than what I thought - as I learned that I could make a difference and that I could overcome - I found a comfort in my own skin that I never had before.
Remember this during the Christmas season - God has placed in you gifts and talents and energies and abilities and desires and dreams and strengths and weaknesses - all for the purpose of having a significant part in building his Kingdom. And that's no small thing!
I dunno who needs to hear this - I dunno who this is for. But according to Mom, there's probably more than one! :)
Time to go...
It's time to go into this picture - to walk 10 miles or so back into those snowy peaks, then around to the right, then to spin south for 40 miles.I'll be away from technology for the next week or thereabouts, so this'll be the last post for awhile.
I'm looking for cool Expedition destinations for next year. And like I said in my last post, I'm really looking for time alone with our Creator.
Father, thank you for the extravagant beauty you painted into your creation. Thank you for the opportunity to experience it firsthand. And most of all, thank you for the privilege of fresh meetings with you in the middle of it.
The Expedition
I LOVE the mountains and just about everything humans have dreamed up to do in them.So in amongst all the other newness of this particular summer - Clayton Schultz and Jarod Sickler have been schooling me on the particulars of The Expedition.
What a cool deal - backpacking and climbing in the Weminuche Wilderness, Moab and other excellent destinations in and around southwest Colorado.
Over the last few years Clayton and Jarod (strong mountaineers, quality thinkers and all around good people) have built this incredible program - and we'll be expanding it over the next few years in some truly amazing ways.
If you're into high adventure, or think you want to be, check out www.the-expedition.com and stay tuned for more info here as we continue sculpting!
SuperFriends - Part 2
The Institute's been fun the last few terms out here at Camp Kivu - teaching young people what is for most of them a whole new way of looking at Christianity. Like always, it's very rewarding.
I've gotten a bunch of comments like "I never saw the big picture of Christianity like this." or "It really makes me want to read the Old Testament." or "Can you get this stuff to my youth pastor?". One particularly sharp young man, especially affected by our discussion of the requirement that our works mirror our faith, called it a "wake up call".
So good - good for those of you that engaged in the discussion and came away challenged. I know I always walk away from these things changed in some way and this is no exception.
One interesting part of our discussion over the past few weeks has been the issue of uncertainty and ambiguity. In the Institute - I discussed it as it applies to worldviews. We talked specifically of the unprovable nature of any worldview.
Since neither you nor I can conclusively prove the truthfulness of our worldview (no matter what it is!) - I spend considerable time trying to help my students become comfortable being uncertain. To be at home in ambiguity.
I show them how their faith can be exponentially stronger by acknowledging and accepting the fact that their opinions, ideas and overall worldviews are inherently uncertain and ambiguous. Of course, I demonstrate that there is a way through the fog - a way of strength. It's an invigorating and adventurous journey for sure.
Of course - this concept is front and center in the discipline of leadership as well. And that's why I bring it up here in a discussion of the SuperFriends.
One of the students this week asked, "Why haven't I heard this before? Why haven't I heard that you can have strong faith while at the same time being uncertain?". Before I could answer, another student boldly replied, "because uncertainty scares most people to death".
Friends, Christianity is - a faith - is it not? We are asked by Messiah himself to believe in things we cannot see/hear/taste/touch/measure - right?
Yep, uncertainty does scare most people to death - and that's a shame.
Uncertainty scares modernist-egocentric-narcissists. So they try to stomp it out wherever they can. They micromanage everything. They crave and hog the limelight. They insist on being on top of their pyramid of sycophants because they alone have the "absolute truth" that all the rest of us only wish we could have.
And play on a team of equals? No way! That would introduce an uncertainty of their absolute control - which again scares them witless. They surround themselves only with people they deem weaker - people they can control.
bleh.
The SuperFriends have no such fear of uncertainty. They acknowledge their weaknesses (while of course trying to continuously improve). They take solace in knowing that their weaknesses are made up for by their co-laborers' strengths, and vice versa. So it's in their best interests to surround themselves with the strongest people available.
Think that through as you seek to lead in whatever capacity God has put before you. Does uncertainty scare you to death?
Hmmm? :)
I've gotten a bunch of comments like "I never saw the big picture of Christianity like this." or "It really makes me want to read the Old Testament." or "Can you get this stuff to my youth pastor?". One particularly sharp young man, especially affected by our discussion of the requirement that our works mirror our faith, called it a "wake up call".
So good - good for those of you that engaged in the discussion and came away challenged. I know I always walk away from these things changed in some way and this is no exception.
One interesting part of our discussion over the past few weeks has been the issue of uncertainty and ambiguity. In the Institute - I discussed it as it applies to worldviews. We talked specifically of the unprovable nature of any worldview.
Since neither you nor I can conclusively prove the truthfulness of our worldview (no matter what it is!) - I spend considerable time trying to help my students become comfortable being uncertain. To be at home in ambiguity.
I show them how their faith can be exponentially stronger by acknowledging and accepting the fact that their opinions, ideas and overall worldviews are inherently uncertain and ambiguous. Of course, I demonstrate that there is a way through the fog - a way of strength. It's an invigorating and adventurous journey for sure.
Of course - this concept is front and center in the discipline of leadership as well. And that's why I bring it up here in a discussion of the SuperFriends.One of the students this week asked, "Why haven't I heard this before? Why haven't I heard that you can have strong faith while at the same time being uncertain?". Before I could answer, another student boldly replied, "because uncertainty scares most people to death".
Friends, Christianity is - a faith - is it not? We are asked by Messiah himself to believe in things we cannot see/hear/taste/touch/measure - right?
Yep, uncertainty does scare most people to death - and that's a shame.
Uncertainty scares modernist-egocentric-narcissists. So they try to stomp it out wherever they can. They micromanage everything. They crave and hog the limelight. They insist on being on top of their pyramid of sycophants because they alone have the "absolute truth" that all the rest of us only wish we could have.
And play on a team of equals? No way! That would introduce an uncertainty of their absolute control - which again scares them witless. They surround themselves only with people they deem weaker - people they can control.
bleh.
The SuperFriends have no such fear of uncertainty. They acknowledge their weaknesses (while of course trying to continuously improve). They take solace in knowing that their weaknesses are made up for by their co-laborers' strengths, and vice versa. So it's in their best interests to surround themselves with the strongest people available.
Think that through as you seek to lead in whatever capacity God has put before you. Does uncertainty scare you to death?
Hmmm? :)
SuperFriends - Part 1
Any of you remember the SuperFriends? (Come on, Lowell - I know you're out there!)Remember the Justice League? All those superheroes joining forces to fight evil in bigger and better ways than any one of them could do on their own?
It was one of my favorite cartoons back in the day.
So I've been teaching on and talking about epistemology alot lately here at Camp Kivu. (Hang with me - this isn't bait and switch - we'll get back to the SuperFriends. The connection with epistemology is quite powerful and could change your life if you let it!)
Those of you who've been in my classes know that I believe epistemology - the "study of knowledge" - to be the basis upon which we build our entire lives.
What you think of the past, present and future - what you think of God - what you think of yourself and those around you - how you approach "truth"... All of it is affected by what you think you can know, how you think you know and what you expect out of "knowledge".
So, I can't think of anything more important to talk about.
In this article I'll contrast two epistemologies - two ways of looking at "truths" outside ourselves. Then I'll look at how our choice of epistemology affects how we relate to others, and how we lead the teams, the businesses, the ministries and the families that God has entrusted us to.
The first "view of knowledge" I'll deal with here is the Modernist view (or the Positivist view, for you philosophers). The Modernist/Positivist believes that "the truth is out there", that it is concrete and objective, and that he can discover it and know it completely.
She may have to experiment to find it, or he may choose just to "feel it" - but either way, the Modernist believes he or she has found the absolute, objective truth - forsaking all other views. For the strict Modernist - anyone that disagrees with her is either misinformed or just plain stupid.
The Modernist view was quite popular during the Industrial Revolution all the way up to the 1970s or so. Modernists thought that science and technology would revolutionize the world, and that problems such as war, famine, racism, imperialism and poverty would melt away as "the truth" was found through scientific experimentation or contemplation.
Modernism gave way to Postmodernism in the popular culture during the 1970s or so, and is still the dominant mindset today. The Postmodern (or Phenomenalist for you philosophers) epistemology holds that there is no truth "out there". In fact, the Postmodern says that whatever we think is true is merely a reflection of ourselves - of our own biases and upbringing.
So the Postmodern mind believes that truth (if it even exists) is not absolute, nor concrete, nor is it "knowable". Rather, for the strict Postmodernist - all we can really know is that we exist, and that we "sense things" outside ourselves. For the strict Postmodernist - anyone that disagrees with him is merely exercising the right to exist and to believe their own reality - which, to them, is a good thing.
Now - what, you ask, does Modernism and Postmodernism have to do with the SuperFriends?
Well, here goes...Modernism created heroes like Wyatt Earp, John Wayne and Dirty Harry. These guys were self-made, independent and larger-than-life. If you got in their way - God help you. Because they knew the truth, and they were gonna make the world in their own image.
Modernist heroes didn't care about the opinions of those around them. Why? Because they were the experts. They had everything they needed in themselves - why ask for help?
The SuperFriends were different, though - weren't they? Look at how they all came together at the Justice League headquarters. Look at how they viewed themselves as equals - how they deferred to one another - how they recognized each others' strengths and how they did their best to make up for each others' weaknesses.
The SuperFriends are a Postmodern construct, my friends.
Each member of the SuperFriends let go of the need to be the center of attention. They dropped the arrogant notion that they "had the truth" in favor of a more humble approach that valued the viewpoints of the others.
Was Batman still one tough hombre? You bet. Did Wonder Woman still have her own unique contribution to make to the team? Yes sir.
What about Superman? Wasn't he still the strongest? Yep. But did he use that strength to dominate the others? Nope. Wouldn't have been the SuperFriends if he did.
What, you ask, does this have to do with you and me?
Well, I've adopted a different epistemology than either Modernism or Postmodernism - but that's a story for another day. But in this discussion, I must admit that I appreciate the SuperFriends contribution of Postmodernism.
You know, I'm so sick (and I bet you are too) of the preachers, CEOs, evangelists, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, businessmen and "visionary leaders" that are so fond of themselves they can hardly stand it.
You know the type. They're the "transformational leaders" that (although they often can't think their way out of a wet paper bag) expect you to devote your life to making their visions into reality. They're narcissistic, self-centered egoists with a thinly-veiled desire to rule the world. They think they hold "the truth" that you only wish you could have.
One of my favorite oldtime preachers spoke of these people as having "I" trouble. In other words, everything that comes out of their mouths is "I did this", or "I think that". I, I, I, I....
The problem with the Modernist narcissistic egocentric leader is this. They'll never get nearly as far with nearly as much impact while cultivating nearly as many new leaders as will the SuperFriends.
For you see, the ultimate goal of the SuperFriends is to identify, train and enable more leaders - to share in an ever-growing pie that involves everyone's strengths. The goal of the Modernist narcissistic egocentric leader, on the other hand, is to maintain her own power at the cost of all others.
So, watch out for the Modernist approach in the leaders you're following, and most importantly, watch out for it in yourself.
When I grow up - I aspire to the SuperFriends approach. I want to trust others, to value their strengths and help minimize their weaknesses with my strengths as they do the same for my weaknesses.
I want to share in an ever-growing pie as we continually identify, train and enable more leaders to go and do what God has uniquely made them to do.
Whaddya think?
More on "We" pressure
In his comment on this post, Caleb asked "Then where does staying connected come in?".
When I first read Friedman's Generation to Generation, and first learned a bit of Family Systems Theory as applied to leadership - I also had questions as to how it all worked.
I mean, if I focus on clarifying my own life-goals (saying "I believe") - won't those I'm supposed to be leading just walk away? In other words, how can a team stay together when the leader resists "We" pressure?
Well, FST gurus say that it is the "We" pressure itself, when properly understood and managed, that will keep the team (or most of it) together. Homeostasis (the tendency of a system to maintain equilibrium) works in favor of the properly differentiated (and connected) leader.
But how?
Here's an example. When I was entering 9th grade in high school, my father announced to us that we were moving from St. Louis to Oklahoma City due to his job requirements. This pronouncement was jarring and abrupt - we had little time to prepare ourselves at all.
Of course, I emoted all over the place, and expressed my discontent with the situation to anyone that would listen. But here's the thing...
When it came down to it - I valued the family system itself over my particular desires in that situation, and so - I reluctantly capitulated. We moved to OKC and life continued. The family system remained together in albeit difficult circumstances.
Another example... How many times have you heard of a parent being extremely unhappy with their child's choice to get married? It happens all the time.
Mom and Dad blow a gasket. "He doesn't make enought money!" or "she's not good enough for you!" are comments often screamed by such parents. But after the marraige takes place - guess what? Mom and Dad (usually fairly quickly) line up and honor the family system.
What's at work in these examples? Friedman would say that homeostasis pressures lead the anxious family members to finally seek to preserve the family system. Put simply - family systems want to stay family systems.
And how does this apply to self-differentiated leadership? Well, if you find your "I believe" statements and your clarification/communication of your life-goals to be upsetting those in your family of origin, or your church, or your workplace - just stay the course.
Don't knuckle under to the "We" pressure. Just remain emotionally connected to the family system without allowing the anxiety flowing through that system to invade you. Remain a "non-anxious presence" in the system.
And then the natural tendency of the family system towards the status quo will (most of the time) cause the other members of the system to straighten up and fly right.
Not so hard, eh? :)
When I first read Friedman's Generation to Generation, and first learned a bit of Family Systems Theory as applied to leadership - I also had questions as to how it all worked.
I mean, if I focus on clarifying my own life-goals (saying "I believe") - won't those I'm supposed to be leading just walk away? In other words, how can a team stay together when the leader resists "We" pressure?
Well, FST gurus say that it is the "We" pressure itself, when properly understood and managed, that will keep the team (or most of it) together. Homeostasis (the tendency of a system to maintain equilibrium) works in favor of the properly differentiated (and connected) leader.
But how?
Here's an example. When I was entering 9th grade in high school, my father announced to us that we were moving from St. Louis to Oklahoma City due to his job requirements. This pronouncement was jarring and abrupt - we had little time to prepare ourselves at all.
Of course, I emoted all over the place, and expressed my discontent with the situation to anyone that would listen. But here's the thing...
When it came down to it - I valued the family system itself over my particular desires in that situation, and so - I reluctantly capitulated. We moved to OKC and life continued. The family system remained together in albeit difficult circumstances.
Another example... How many times have you heard of a parent being extremely unhappy with their child's choice to get married? It happens all the time.
Mom and Dad blow a gasket. "He doesn't make enought money!" or "she's not good enough for you!" are comments often screamed by such parents. But after the marraige takes place - guess what? Mom and Dad (usually fairly quickly) line up and honor the family system.
What's at work in these examples? Friedman would say that homeostasis pressures lead the anxious family members to finally seek to preserve the family system. Put simply - family systems want to stay family systems.
And how does this apply to self-differentiated leadership? Well, if you find your "I believe" statements and your clarification/communication of your life-goals to be upsetting those in your family of origin, or your church, or your workplace - just stay the course.
Don't knuckle under to the "We" pressure. Just remain emotionally connected to the family system without allowing the anxiety flowing through that system to invade you. Remain a "non-anxious presence" in the system.
And then the natural tendency of the family system towards the status quo will (most of the time) cause the other members of the system to straighten up and fly right.
Not so hard, eh? :)
The powers and pitfalls of "We"
We."We" is a force that is often used for tremendous good. "We", when working together in unity, can encourage one another to heights of achievement that alone we'd never consider. The sense of community that "We" brings can be God's healing touch for the brokenhearted. Yep, "We" can often get things done that no "I" could ever do.
At K-Colorado (soon to be Camp Kivu) - we work hard to provide a place where young men and women can be part of a global community of world changers. That's because we believe strongly in the creative power of "We".
Yes, I believe "We" is perhaps the most powerful human force in the world - both for good, and unfortunately, for "not so good".
Huh - what was that? How could "We" be a bad thing?
Well, we all know about the really nasty instances where "We" went badly astray. Hitler's Germany and the more recent Rwandan genocide both come to mind. The rampant and oft-reported problem of gang violence is another example.
But there is a more subtle and I'd say more difficult problem with "We". That is, "We" can make change impossible.
Family Systems Theory uses the term "homeostasis" to describe this "We" pressure to remain the same - to stay stuck together even though saying "I" would be more beneficial to everyone involved.
For example - have you ever made a decision against your better judgment just to "keep the peace" - perhaps in your family or in your group of friends? Have you ever seen a "leader" knuckle under to the demands of the group rather than take a stand for her own life-goals?
And perhaps nastiest of all - have you ever seen members of a church, a business team or even members of your own family "sabotage" the leader who attempts to say "I" in the face of the homeostasis - when he tries to define his goals apart from those of the group?
I've seen all of this junk - and sad to say - I've been involved in some of it myself. But years ago I made a concerted effort to just say "no" to this kind of behavior - and I still strive to rid my life of it.
Good leaders must learn to continually define themselves and their life-goals over against the surrounding togetherness pressures. But they must do this while remaining connected to the groups and families to which they belong and of which they lead.
Otherwise - there's no way the group or family will make any progress. Such a team will remain "stuck" - never achieving anywhere near what they could with a properly differentiated leader.
So let's continue to work on clarifying our own life-goals while teaching others to do the same. This may mean that you end up leading your group or family to a totally new place.
Would that be so bad? :)
Father, help me to help others clarify the gifts and goals you have placed in them. Help all of us to value progress over "peace at any cost" in the groups you've given us to lead - so that we may fully complete our part of your Great Project to renew and rebuild the world.
Climbing Again
I'm pleased to report that our motley group had a great time Saturday camping and climbing at Sam's Throne and HCR.All our new climbers accomplished new things. And my foot's recovering well - I think I'm ready to start leading again.
Every time I climb - every time I watch others climb, experience adventures and work together to solve problems - I'm more convinced that these are excellent tools to use in teaching leadership skills. I love it.
Mother's Day was peaceful, with lots of fond memories of my conspicuously absent Mom. We ate what we shouldn't have and went to see Star Trek.
All in all, a great weekend.
The Continuous Improvement Mindset
I worked in technology management for an uber-successful chemical company for several years - back in the late eighties and nineties. I owe so much to that organization because I've based a chunk of my approach to business, ministry and life on a few of the concepts I learned there.
I think the most important thing I took from that experience is the mindset of continuous improvement. I remember attending classes the company sponsored on Dr. Deming's approach to the subject.
At first I thought that these Kaizen ("good change") methods of using statistical process control to make our product better only applied to manufacturing or business processes - stuff that happened in the lab, or on the production floor or in the office.
And along that line of thinking - I'm certainly not going to lecture here on incremental vs. step-change, process metrics, upper and lower control limits, standard deviations and all the other tools of the business side of continuous improvement. I'll leave that thrill ride to those of you with the intestinal fortitude to apply such concepts in your workplace.
But over the years, I've observed that the successful leaders that I aspire to be like "when I grow up" have all adopted the mindset of continuous improvement. They apply the general principles of the discipline in their everyday lives. Each of them has done it in their own way, of course - but they are all "continuous improvers".
For example, continuous improvers:
- question the status quo
- are open to new ideas
- don't ever think they've "arrived"
- crave learning
- seek fresh answers to even the oldest of questions
- value flexible partnerships over rigid hierarchies
- focus on the goals of the future rather than on the mistakes of the past
- read good books written by smart people
- are keen observers of human nature, human relationships and emotional processes
- increase their awareness of the world around them rather than build walls of ignorance
- set goals
- plan the work
- work the plan
- monitor progress
- revel in successes
- learn from failures
- stay positive
and on and on. You get the point.
I think the one statement that sums it all up for me is this:
Check this out. In Phillipians 3:15, Paul says,
It's the view he set forth in the previous few verses. See if you can identify whether or not Paul was a continuous improver based on this passage.
Father, help me to be always learning, always open to a better way and always focused on the bright future promised in your magnificent kingdom story. Help me and my friends to live now, as much as we can, in the resurrection-light of your kingdom to come.
I think the most important thing I took from that experience is the mindset of continuous improvement. I remember attending classes the company sponsored on Dr. Deming's approach to the subject.
At first I thought that these Kaizen ("good change") methods of using statistical process control to make our product better only applied to manufacturing or business processes - stuff that happened in the lab, or on the production floor or in the office.
And along that line of thinking - I'm certainly not going to lecture here on incremental vs. step-change, process metrics, upper and lower control limits, standard deviations and all the other tools of the business side of continuous improvement. I'll leave that thrill ride to those of you with the intestinal fortitude to apply such concepts in your workplace.
But over the years, I've observed that the successful leaders that I aspire to be like "when I grow up" have all adopted the mindset of continuous improvement. They apply the general principles of the discipline in their everyday lives. Each of them has done it in their own way, of course - but they are all "continuous improvers".
For example, continuous improvers:
- question the status quo
- are open to new ideas
- don't ever think they've "arrived"
- crave learning
- seek fresh answers to even the oldest of questions
- value flexible partnerships over rigid hierarchies
- focus on the goals of the future rather than on the mistakes of the past
- read good books written by smart people
- are keen observers of human nature, human relationships and emotional processes
- increase their awareness of the world around them rather than build walls of ignorance
- set goals
- plan the work
- work the plan
- monitor progress
- revel in successes
- learn from failures
- stay positive
and on and on. You get the point.
I think the one statement that sums it all up for me is this:
A continuous improver concentrates their thoughts, their words and their actions toward creating a better future for themselves and ultimately for the world around them.And I believe it is right there - precisely in that statement - where the philosophy of continuous improvement and the theology of the kingdom of God line up beautifully. They snap together like puzzle pieces to create a way of life that produces what God wants for us and for the world.
Check this out. In Phillipians 3:15, Paul says,
"All of us who are mature should take such a view of things."What "view of things" is he talking about, you ask?
It's the view he set forth in the previous few verses. See if you can identify whether or not Paul was a continuous improver based on this passage.
What do you say - was Paul a continuous improver or not? What aspect of this passage leads you to your answer?"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Father, help me to be always learning, always open to a better way and always focused on the bright future promised in your magnificent kingdom story. Help me and my friends to live now, as much as we can, in the resurrection-light of your kingdom to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)