MAKING ALL THINGS NEW: Understanding Technical and Adaptive Change Pacifica Synod Assembly Keynote Address #2 By: Craig Van Gelder, Ph.D. Copyright Craig.

MAKING ALL THINGS NEW:MAKING ALL THINGS NEW:Understanding Technical and Understanding Technical and

Adaptive ChangeAdaptive Change

Pacifica Synod AssemblyPacifica Synod Assembly

Keynote Address #2Keynote Address #2

By: Craig Van Gelder, Ph.D.By: Craig Van Gelder, Ph.D.

Copyright Craig Van Gelder 2015Copyright Craig Van Gelder 2015

SECTION ISECTION ITHE GREAT UNRAVELING THE GREAT UNRAVELING AND ASKING DIFFERENT AND ASKING DIFFERENT

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS


The Challenge TodayThe Challenge Today

the greatthe great unravelling…unravelling…


Now Seeing Decline of the Euro-Now Seeing Decline of the Euro-Tribal Faith Traditions in NATribal Faith Traditions in NA


1. How to make the church grow? 2. How to get people into church?

3. How to meet needs and help?

Church Questions as Misdirecting Questions


in a great unravelling we in a great unravelling we need to need to

ask different questionsask different questions


Need to Ask the Need to Ask the ““GodGod”” Questions in Questions in Midst of Disruption and DislocationMidst of Disruption and Dislocation

• What is God up to out What is God up to out ahead of us in our ahead of us in our neighborhoods?neighborhoods?

• How do we participate How do we participate more fully in what more fully in what God is up to in our God is up to in our neighborhoods and neighborhoods and communities?communities?


BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ONBIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ONDISRUPTION AND DISLOCATION DISRUPTION AND DISLOCATION

Struggle to Discern the Spirit’s LeadingStruggle to Discern the Spirit’s Leading Much Disruption and Much Disruption and

Dislocation result of Dislocation result of massive cultural massive cultural changes . . . BUTchanges . . . BUT

Babylon Babylon (Jer. 29)(Jer. 29)


BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ONBIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ONDISRUPTION AND DISLOCATION DISRUPTION AND DISLOCATION

Struggle to Discern the Spirit’s LeadingStruggle to Discern the Spirit’s Leading Much Disruption and Much Disruption and

Dislocation result of Dislocation result of massive cultural massive cultural changes . . . BUTchanges . . . BUT

God’s Spirit also at God’s Spirit also at work within times of work within times of Disruption and Disruption and DislocationDislocation

Babylon Babylon (Jer. 29)(Jer. 29)

Antioch Antioch (Acts 11)(Acts 11)


SECTION II:SECTION II:UNDERSTANDING UNDERSTANDING

TECHNICAL AND ADAPTIVE TECHNICAL AND ADAPTIVE CHANGE PROCESSESCHANGE PROCESSES


Understanding the Difference BetweenUnderstanding the Difference Between

Technical ChangeTechnical Change

Adaptive ChangeAdaptive Change


Utilizing Technical Change to Utilizing Technical Change to Address Presenting IssuesAddress Presenting IssuesTechnicalTechnical

ProblemProblem is typically clear is typically clear and can be namedand can be namedKnown methods Known methods are are available to solve the challengeavailable to solve the challengeExpertiseExpertise is available to use is available to use for addressing the challenge for addressing the challenge Basic approachBasic approach is to use a is to use a planning model (e.g. strategic planning model (e.g. strategic planning)planning)


Utilizing Technical Change to Utilizing Technical Change to Address Presenting IssuesAddress Presenting IssuesTechnicalTechnical

ProblemProblem is typically clear is typically clear and can be namedand can be namedKnown methods Known methods are are available to solve the challengeavailable to solve the challengeExpertiseExpertise is available to use is available to use for addressing the challenge for addressing the challenge Basic approachBasic approach is to use a is to use a planning model (e.g. strategic planning model (e.g. strategic planningplanning

ExamplesExamples

1. 1. CongregationCongregation—Develop a —Develop a short-term missions program short-term missions program

2. 2. CongregationCongregation—Start a 2—Start a 2ndnd service service


STRATEGIC PLANNING AS PRIMARY STRATEGIC PLANNING AS PRIMARY MODE OF OPERATION IN ADDRESSING MODE OF OPERATION IN ADDRESSING

THE TECHNICALTHE TECHNICAL

SWOC—the SWOC—the environmental scanenvironmental scan

V/M/VV/M/V ValuesValues Mission (purpose)Mission (purpose) VisionVision

S/G/OS/G/O StrategiesStrategies GoalsGoals ObjectivesObjectives


The Logic of Goals withThe Logic of Goals withPlanned StrategiesPlanned Strategies

Communication of InformationCommunication of Information

Education and TrainingEducation and Training

Programs to Provide ServicesPrograms to Provide Services

Restructure the OrganizationRestructure the Organization


BUT TECHNICAL PLANNING BUT TECHNICAL PLANNING APPROACHES ARE OFTEN APPROACHES ARE OFTEN

INSUFFICIENT IN BEING ABLE TO INSUFFICIENT IN BEING ABLE TO ADDRESS MANY OF THE ADDRESS MANY OF THE

SYSTEMIC ISSUES NOW BEING SYSTEMIC ISSUES NOW BEING FACEDFACED


Utilizing Adaptive Change to Utilizing Adaptive Change to Address Systemic IssuesAddress Systemic Issues

AdaptiveAdaptiveReal challenge Real challenge underlying underlying presenting issues murkypresenting issues murkyNew learning New learning is required to is required to address the challengeaddress the challengeGod’s ordinary people God’s ordinary people on on the front lines innovating the front lines innovating experimental changeexperimental changeBasic approachBasic approach: use a : use a discernment approach (e.g. discernment approach (e.g. communal Spirit-led learning)communal Spirit-led learning)


THE ADAPTIVE CHALLENGE THE ADAPTIVE CHALLENGE QUESTION:QUESTION:

“What issue(s) are we currently facing, for “What issue(s) are we currently facing, for which we presently do not have an answer, which we presently do not have an answer, but which we must address, if we are to live but which we must address, if we are to live

into God’s future?into God’s future?


SECTION III:SECTION III:IDENTIFYING UNDERLYING IDENTIFYING UNDERLYING

ADAPTIVE CHALLENGESADAPTIVE CHALLENGES


Example #1: Theological Example #1: Theological EducationEducation

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesRising student debtRising student debtIncrease part-time Increase part-time students students Less resident campus Less resident campus participationparticipationDeclining enrollmentsDeclining enrollmentsAvailability of virtual & Availability of virtual & non-formal alternatives non-formal alternatives


Example #1: Theological Example #1: Theological EducationEducation

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesDeclining enrollmentsDeclining enrollmentsRising student debtRising student debtIncrease part-time students Increase part-time students Less resident campus Less resident campus participationparticipationAvailability of non-formal Availability of non-formal and virtual alternatives and virtual alternatives

Adaptive ChallengeAdaptive ChallengeWe have created an approach to We have created an approach to graduate theological education graduate theological education that for many is not affordable that for many is not affordable or financially sustainable, which or financially sustainable, which is also increasingly out of step is also increasingly out of step with many in the next with many in the next generation of church leaders.generation of church leaders.


Example #2: Congregation in a Example #2: Congregation in a Changing ContextChanging Context

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesDeclining number of family Declining number of family farms in area—losing people farms in area—losing people historically “like us”historically “like us”Members aging with fewer Members aging with fewer children in areachildren in areaPlateaued financesPlateaued financesInflux immigrant MexicanInflux immigrant MexicanAmerican farm workers American farm workers Influx immigrant Laotian Influx immigrant Laotian workers at turkey processing plantworkers at turkey processing plantInflux migrant retirement Influx migrant retirement population around the lakespopulation around the lakes


Example #2: Congregation in a Example #2: Congregation in a Changing ContextChanging Context

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesDeclining number of family Declining number of family farms in area—losing people farms in area—losing people historically “like us”historically “like us”Members aging with fewer Members aging with fewer children in areachildren in areaPlateaued financesPlateaued financesInflux immigrant MexicanInflux immigrant MexicanAmerican farm workers American farm workers Influx immigrant Laotian Influx immigrant Laotian workers at turkey processing plantworkers at turkey processing plantInflux migrant retirement Influx migrant retirement population around the lakespopulation around the lakes

Adaptive ChallengeAdaptive Challenge

We have chosen to become a We have chosen to become a maintenance ministry to maintenance ministry to serve our own members for serve our own members for as long as we have sufficient as long as we have sufficient resources to do so, and then resources to do so, and then we expect to close. we expect to close.


Example #3: City-Neighborhood Example #3: City-Neighborhood Congregation in a Changing ContextCongregation in a Changing Context

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesChanging ethnicity of Changing ethnicity of neighborhoodneighborhood

First wave African AmericanFirst wave African American Second wave Hispanic immigrantsSecond wave Hispanic immigrants

Members moved out and Members moved out and driving backdriving backDeclining membership and Declining membership and plateaued financesplateaued financesFewer young families with Fewer young families with childrenchildrenPrograms to meet needs of Programs to meet needs of community community


Example #3: City-Neighborhood Example #3: City-Neighborhood Congregation in a Changing ContextCongregation in a Changing Context

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesChanging ethnicity of Changing ethnicity of neighborhoodneighborhood

First wave African AmericanFirst wave African American Second wave Hispanic immigrantsSecond wave Hispanic immigrants

Members moved out and Members moved out and driving backdriving backDeclining membership and Declining membership and plateaued financesplateaued financesFewer young families with Fewer young families with childrenchildrenPrograms to meet needs of Programs to meet needs of community community

Adaptive ChallengeAdaptive ChallengeOur congregation has yet to Our congregation has yet to develop genuine relationships develop genuine relationships with the “other” in our with the “other” in our neighborhood where there is a neighborhood where there is a reciprocity of mutual sharing reciprocity of mutual sharing and learning, and we are not and learning, and we are not sure we really want to do this.sure we really want to do this.


Example #4: Suburban Example #4: Suburban Congregation in a Changing ContextCongregation in a Changing Context

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesSignificant growth 1950s-Significant growth 1950s-60s from baby-boom60s from baby-boomPeaked out early 1970sPeaked out early 1970sAdded gym early 1980s—Added gym early 1980s—last phase master planlast phase master planContinues emphasis on Continues emphasis on youth ministry—fewer kidsyouth ministry—fewer kidsSearching for pastor to Searching for pastor to bring back the golden years bring back the golden years


Example #4: Suburban Example #4: Suburban Congregation in a Changing ContextCongregation in a Changing Context

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesSignificant growth 1950s-Significant growth 1950s-60s from baby-boom60s from baby-boomPeaked out early 1970sPeaked out early 1970sAdded gym early 1980s—Added gym early 1980s—last phase master planlast phase master planContinues emphasis on Continues emphasis on youth ministry—fewer kidsyouth ministry—fewer kidsSearching for pastor to bring Searching for pastor to bring back the golden years back the golden years


Adaptive ChallengeAdaptive ChallengeOur congregation’s obsolete Our congregation’s obsolete vision of the past has locked vision of the past has locked us into a ministry style that is us into a ministry style that is disconnected from our disconnected from our present context and ministry present context and ministry opportunities and we do not opportunities and we do not

know how to change thisknow how to change this..

Example #5: Regional Governing Example #5: Regional Governing StructureStructure

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesDeclining membership overall Declining membership overall in congregationsin congregationsPlateaued finances for Plateaued finances for regional ministryregional ministryFewer persons willing to Fewer persons willing to serve regional workserve regional workSeveral failed traditional Several failed traditional church plants past decadechurch plants past decadeIncreasing culture of Increasing culture of complaint and criticism complaint and criticism


Example #5: Regional Governing Example #5: Regional Governing StructureStructure

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesDeclining membership overall Declining membership overall in congregationsin congregationsPlateaued finances for Plateaued finances for regional ministryregional ministryFewer persons willing to Fewer persons willing to serve regional workserve regional workSeveral failed traditional Several failed traditional church plants past decadechurch plants past decadeIncreasing culture of Increasing culture of complaint and criticism complaint and criticism


Adaptive ChallengeAdaptive Challenge

We are bound to a set of We are bound to a set of polity practices that no polity practices that no longer generate energy, do longer generate energy, do not provide clarity of not provide clarity of ministry direction, and are ministry direction, and are expensive to maintain; but expensive to maintain; but we do not know how to we do not know how to reinvent them. reinvent them.

Example #6: National Example #6: National Denominational AgenciesDenominational Agencies

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesDeclining membershipDeclining membership

Membership Declining since1960sMembership Declining since1960s

Declining financesDeclining finances More restricted givingMore restricted giving

Re-Structuring effortsRe-Structuring efforts Four (4) downsizings last 20 yearsFour (4) downsizings last 20 years

Increased DiversityIncreased Diversity Theological and social-cultural Theological and social-cultural

diversity diversity

Re-vitalization InitiativesRe-vitalization Initiatives Thirteen (13) national initiatives to Thirteen (13) national initiatives to

revitalize last 40 years—all failedrevitalize last 40 years—all failed


Example #6: National Example #6: National Denominational AgenciesDenominational Agencies

Presenting IssuesPresenting IssuesDeclining membershipDeclining membership

Membership Declining since1960sMembership Declining since1960s

Declining financesDeclining finances More restricted givingMore restricted giving

Re-Structuring effortsRe-Structuring efforts Four (4) downsizings last 20 yearsFour (4) downsizings last 20 years

Increased DiversityIncreased Diversity Theological and social-cultural Theological and social-cultural

diversity diversity

Re-vitalization InitiativesRe-vitalization Initiatives Thirteen (13) national initiatives to Thirteen (13) national initiatives to

revitalize last 40 years—all failedrevitalize last 40 years—all failed


Adaptive ChallengeAdaptive ChallengeWe continue to be trapped in We continue to be trapped in our expectations that our expectations that denominational agencies denominational agencies initiate and lead ministry, initiate and lead ministry, funded by congregations out funded by congregations out of loyalty and shared vision, of loyalty and shared vision, and we do not know what to and we do not know what to do to break this pattern. do to break this pattern.

The Logic of the Adaptive The Logic of the Adaptive Change ProcessChange Process

Spirit of God is out ahead of us with . . .Spirit of God is out ahead of us with . . . God’s ordinary people participating in Spirit-God’s ordinary people participating in Spirit-

led communal discernment and . . .led communal discernment and . . . Engaging in a variety of experiments to . . .Engaging in a variety of experiments to . . . Discover new ways to address the adaptive Discover new ways to address the adaptive

challenges confronting themchallenges confronting them


SECTION IV:SECTION IV:UTILIZING DISCERNMENT IN UTILIZING DISCERNMENT IN

TAKING A SPIRIT-LED TAKING A SPIRIT-LED JOURNEY AND DESIGNING JOURNEY AND DESIGNING

EXPERIMENTSEXPERIMENTS


Process of Living within Liminal Spaces Process of Living within Liminal Spaces While Engaging the God QuestionsWhile Engaging the God Questions

JourneyJourney

DiscernmentDiscernment

ExperimentingExperimenting

ReflectingReflecting


The Logic of Action LearningThe Logic of Action Learning

We behave our way intoWe behave our way into

new thinking!new thinking!


An Experiment—Behaving One’s An Experiment—Behaving One’s Way into New ThinkingWay into New Thinking


An Experiment—Behaving One’s An Experiment—Behaving One’s Way into New ThinkingWay into New Thinking


The Emerging DenominationThe Emerging Denomination2121stst Century Century

Some Hub-SpokeSome Hub-Spoke

With Top-DownWith Top-Down

Increased Distributed with Increased Distributed with Bottom-Up Learning Bottom-Up Learning

NetworksNetworks


DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION


MAKING ALL THINGS NEW: Understanding Technical and Adaptive Change Pacifica Synod Assembly Keynote Address #2 By: Craig Van Gelder, Ph.D. Copyright Craig.

Documents

na copyright craig van

dislocation babylon

challenge expertise

utilizing technical

challenge basic approach

times of disruption

dislocation struggle

midst of disruption