The immediacy of a crisis makes it tempting to roll up our sleeves and work harder. But some problems are “wicked” — without clear starting and ending points, crossing social and conceptual boundaries — and require unconventional strategies. (more…)
Some believe that denominations are a relic of a bygone era. We believe, however, that there remains significant promise for Christian denominations in the United States in the coming decades. While congregations have been and will be the primary unit for Christian community, we hold that congregations need each other and the supportive systems that denominations have traditionally created.
However, business as usual will not be enough. Denominations must confront crucial questions that enable leaders to clarify mission, vision and strategies and thus become willing to lead adaptive changes within institutions.
In this essay on Faith & Leadership, L. Gregory Jones suggests that one way to begin is to unpack four key questions about the mission and telos of denominations; their essential functions; their role in training lay and ordained leadership; and their funding models.
In addition, you can see how Christian institutional leaders from a variety of traditions answer this question in a series of video interviews with people, including Sarah Davis, Jeffrey Leath, Brian McLaren, Phyllis Tickle and others.
