Introduction: The following is number 6 of 6 blog postings entitled Our faith @ work that are part of the keynote address given at the CH Leaders conference in Nov 2009 in Orillia.
As we consider the challenges that we have before us as a ministry that seeks to follow Christ in an increasingly secular, pluralistic society, it is causing us closely examine: who we are; why we exist; what is our core; who we will become. These questions are not all bad. It has forced us to grapple with important issues of what makes us a ministry, why a ministry, and how does a ministry behave? And when do we stop being a ministry? These are all questions that can make us stronger, but they are certainly no easy answers. And they are not answers that everyone will necessarily agree upon. I do believe it is possible to be followers of Christ and do God’s Work in our society. Much wisdom is required, and it is not as black and white as we’d like to make it sometimes or believe it should be. One only needs to closely study the accounts of Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abendigo and Nehemiah for starters. It would be insightful if we had the time to look at all the decisions, compromises and the absolute non-negotiables that resulted in those leaders, who lived in highly religiously and politically polarized societies, being imprisoned, thrown into lions den’s and furnaces – a talk for another day. It is sufficient to stay at this moment - it was far more complex and difficult than a quick read on the surface indicates or allows.
What we have prayerfully attempted to do, and please realize that this is still in a growing and learning process, is to bring some definition and clarity to what we do and who we are looking for when we invite people to join with us toward God in this ministry, and how to have it continually inform all our behaviour as we do our work through Christian Horizons. We believe that our Vision and Mission statements are as a solid foundation as the day they were birthed. Also, what we’re wanting to create is a much more ‘robust’ communication strategy that is reinforced at multiple points; from recruitment to point of hire, the courses and training that we offer, to our leadership development, to how every level and position in Christian Horizons is connected to and reinforcing of our Key Values and principles. What does it mean for us to say that We will "Honour God, and value people in all we do and with all our resources?" And to "serve the person with exceptional needs"? We are seeking to flesh that out by identifying the four or five key organizational culture points that we have championing over the past 45 years. At the moment we’ve identified these 4 as possible candidates:
1. Christ Centred (everything we do is rooted here)
2. Person Directed (Inclusion) -- fully partner
3. Servant hood (work/serve): servant leaders, situational leadership, self leadership
Mark 10:40-45
Responding to the Call
As we consider the challenges that we have before us as a ministry that seeks to follow Christ in an increasingly secular, pluralistic society, it is causing us closely examine: who we are; why we exist; what is our core; who we will become. These questions are not all bad. It has forced us to grapple with important issues of what makes us a ministry, why a ministry, and how does a ministry behave? And when do we stop being a ministry? These are all questions that can make us stronger, but they are certainly no easy answers. And they are not answers that everyone will necessarily agree upon. I do believe it is possible to be followers of Christ and do God’s Work in our society. Much wisdom is required, and it is not as black and white as we’d like to make it sometimes or believe it should be. One only needs to closely study the accounts of Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abendigo and Nehemiah for starters. It would be insightful if we had the time to look at all the decisions, compromises and the absolute non-negotiables that resulted in those leaders, who lived in highly religiously and politically polarized societies, being imprisoned, thrown into lions den’s and furnaces – a talk for another day. It is sufficient to stay at this moment - it was far more complex and difficult than a quick read on the surface indicates or allows.
What we have prayerfully attempted to do, and please realize that this is still in a growing and learning process, is to bring some definition and clarity to what we do and who we are looking for when we invite people to join with us toward God in this ministry, and how to have it continually inform all our behaviour as we do our work through Christian Horizons. We believe that our Vision and Mission statements are as a solid foundation as the day they were birthed. Also, what we’re wanting to create is a much more ‘robust’ communication strategy that is reinforced at multiple points; from recruitment to point of hire, the courses and training that we offer, to our leadership development, to how every level and position in Christian Horizons is connected to and reinforcing of our Key Values and principles. What does it mean for us to say that We will "Honour God, and value people in all we do and with all our resources?" And to "serve the person with exceptional needs"? We are seeking to flesh that out by identifying the four or five key organizational culture points that we have championing over the past 45 years. At the moment we’ve identified these 4 as possible candidates:
1. Christ Centred (everything we do is rooted here)
2. Person Directed (Inclusion) -- fully partner
3. Servant hood (work/serve): servant leaders, situational leadership, self leadership
Mark 10:40-45
40 "But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."
41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
4. And Stewardship (integrity, excellence and wisdom)
As we look at these four potential points, I think we’d all see and acknowledge that we’ve excelled at some, done well in others, satisfactory in a few, okay with others, and we would have a list that falls into the ‘needs improvement’ category.
What does that mean for us individually and as organization that seeks to be a ministry?
41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
4. And Stewardship (integrity, excellence and wisdom)
As we look at these four potential points, I think we’d all see and acknowledge that we’ve excelled at some, done well in others, satisfactory in a few, okay with others, and we would have a list that falls into the ‘needs improvement’ category.
What does that mean for us individually and as organization that seeks to be a ministry?
1. It means that a growing passionate relationship with Christ is an essential foundation
a. Because it affects everything we are about and seek to accomplish and how we do it.
b. We want our work to be God work; creative, empowering, enabling, bringing light and meaning. It’s not just providing for the body, but feeding and freeing the soul.
c. We want together to be able to stand back and look, and say “it is good.” But just as important, we want to find ways for persons with exceptional needs to find their voice and place in that work so they are able to say that as well.
d. We want to go beyond with, and not for, and invite to be ‘toward’ God – more than inclusion – but full partners.
e. We what our work to be redemptive - this effects everything from how come work together along side people, to how we see and treat the earth.
As Key ‘Workers’ in Christian Horizons the modeling and implementation rests with us, individually and collectively. What we are seeking to create is a clear identity that we all are passionate about, not as our job, but as our work. As leaders we need to get this figured out in our hearts and minds because it impacts the work that we have before us. It impacts the people that do their tasks for us. And above all, we want to Respond to the Call of God together as the ministry of Christian Horizons and join in the eternal sacred dance toward God.
a. Because it affects everything we are about and seek to accomplish and how we do it.
b. We want our work to be God work; creative, empowering, enabling, bringing light and meaning. It’s not just providing for the body, but feeding and freeing the soul.
c. We want together to be able to stand back and look, and say “it is good.” But just as important, we want to find ways for persons with exceptional needs to find their voice and place in that work so they are able to say that as well.
d. We want to go beyond with, and not for, and invite to be ‘toward’ God – more than inclusion – but full partners.
e. We what our work to be redemptive - this effects everything from how come work together along side people, to how we see and treat the earth.
As Key ‘Workers’ in Christian Horizons the modeling and implementation rests with us, individually and collectively. What we are seeking to create is a clear identity that we all are passionate about, not as our job, but as our work. As leaders we need to get this figured out in our hearts and minds because it impacts the work that we have before us. It impacts the people that do their tasks for us. And above all, we want to Respond to the Call of God together as the ministry of Christian Horizons and join in the eternal sacred dance toward God.
Neil Cudney
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