Category Archives: The Lydian Way

A communal spiritual practice of not only studying, but dwelling in a specific Biblical text (often a longer text of 30-40 verses) for a long period of time – sometimes years. Each session typically involves several vocal readings of the text, separated by silence, where those involved focus on deep listening, paying particular attention to specific words, phrases, or ideas that stand out during the readings and silence. These specific words, phrases and ideas are then shared with the entire group. Adapted from the original practice developed by Pat Keifert and Church Innovations.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…   Col. 3:16

One of the most common practices in the world of business and commerce is strategic planning, which is designed to direct an organization’s activity and energy towards accomplishing definable and identifiable goals. When standard strategic planning practices are adapted by the church, institutional far-sightedness can set in. Though the community might see a vision for the future, they may be blinded to the activity of the Holy Spirit which may be bursting out at the periphery or even in plain sight. Part of this stems from an inability to fully adapt strategic planning to the life of the church. In standard strategic planning, the stakeholders are often the investors, owners or employees of the organization. In the church, however, the stakeholders are not the congregation, nor the denominational body, nor the council and pastors. Rather, the stakeholders are those whom Christ calls the church to love and serve  – the neighbor, the poor and needy, hungry and sick, forlorn and suffering. Strategic Posturing is a strategic practice for the church that begins with the church’s clear discernment of the gifts that God has given them, an openness to ways in which the Holy Spirit is breaking out in the world (see Discernment Huddle and Theory U), and the ability to faithfully and trustingly pivot to where the Spirit is both calling and equipping us to participate in God’s mission. Instead of putting energies and focus into working toward a pre-defined future and missing the Spirit’s activity and invitation all along the way, we adapt a strategic posture or stance which allows us to pivot and move whenever the Spirit invites. 

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.           1 Cor. 2:10

Churches and organizations often focus on “outreach” as an essential part of their mission. However, “outreach” implies that the ones reaching out have something of value to give to or bring to the other, who obviously have something lacking. The term and practice of outreach often unwittingly set up unbalanced systems, where the powerful give to the powerless, the haves give to the have nots, and where there is often a lack of mutuality and equality. Neighboring, on the other hand, is primarily a relational term which implies that we are equals to begin with, with each of us having both gifts to share and needs to be addressed.   

Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.    Romans 15:2

A change management practice that helps persons and organizations identify and respond to the opportunities that emerge through the disruption of change. In short, practitioners are asked to identify and name the intellectual, philosophical, theological and emotional biases which often cloud our perceptions and understandings of what is happening in the midst of change. These biases are then set aside, but not abandoned, so that the person or group can more fully be present (presencing) to the challenges and opportunities that are emerging from the ongoing process of change. With a clearer and unbiased view of the situation, it is easier to embrace the emergent future and adapt to it.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13