Leadership in a Postmodern Context

November 6, 2012

Identify With the Life of Jesus

• Focus more on the Gospels than the Epistles.• Focus more on being missional/incarnational

than on being attractional.• Focus more on the Gospel of the Kingdom

than on the Gospel of the plan of salvation.

Identify with the life of Jesus

• Focus on abundant life in the here & now not just eternal life in the hereafter.

• Focus on practicing the way & teachings of Jesus not just belief in Jesus or knowledge about Jesus.

Transform Secular Space

• They overcome the modern division between the sacred and the secular.

• There are no more bad places, bad people, or bad times. All can be made holy.

• Emerging churches do not occupy a reactive & defensive stance in regard to the wider culture but rather seek to engage it as insiders.

Transform Secular Space

• Emerging Christ followers seek to live missionally as a way of life, in all three spaces of life. (Neighborhood, workplace, & 3rd space).

• The seek to live holistic and integrated lives.

Living as Community

• Church is primarily a people, not simply a place to meet.

• Followers of Jesus give up old loyalties in order to create a space for the kingdom to come. Things like nationalism, individualism, and consumerism are challenged and sometimes given up.

Living as Community

• The focus is on a way of life together – a journey together.

• “We deconstruct small groups.”• There is more emphasis on being intentionally

organic than on being organized.• Most groups are small. (No more than 25 to

40.)

Welcoming the Stranger

• Inclusive not exclusive.• Value diversity.• Create a “safe place”.• Approach discussions with others with

humility.• Apologetics takes the role of spiritual direction

rather than confrontation.

Welcoming the Stranger

• Comfortable with unanswered questions and the mystery of God.

• Love people without agenda.• You can belong before you believe.

Serving With Generosity

• At the core of the gospel is God’s generosity embodied in the concept of grace.

• Consumerism is challenged.• From social programs to a socially engaged

way of life.• Serve the marginalized.

Serving With Generosity

• Become good news people before proclaiming the good news message.

• Pursue the poor.• From serving in the church to serving in the

community.• Restorative Justice is a priority.

Participating as Producers

• Participatory rather than spectator or passive recipient.

• Individuals take responsibility for their own spiritual journeys.

• Worship gatherings aren’t dominated from the front.

Participating as Producers

• Dialogue is valued more than a persuasive speech.

• Worship gatherings include all ages.• Authenticity & transparency are encouraged• Questions are expected.• Space is given fro silence and reflection.

Creating as Created Beings

• Cultivate a climate of creativity.• Experimentation and risk taking is part of the

culture.• Authenticity is more important than being

“cool or hip.”• Lighthearted playfulness is encouraged.• Practice spiritual disciplines like Lectio Devina.

Leading as a Body

• Avoid all types of control.• Mutuality – all are treated as equals.• Individuals lead out of their passion & gifting.• From institution to movement.• Release & empower.• From CEO to Spiritual Director.

Merging Ancient & Contemporary Spiritualities

• Spirituality not hyperactivity.• Stress a healthy balance rhythm of life.• Assist people in connecting with God.• Re-engage ancient spiritual practices.