In Presence, on page 24, a question is posed:
"Haven't we come together to answer one fundamental question: Why don't we change? What would it take to shift the whole?" "We don't change because we think we're immortal."
The reference to immortality interested me because it is a theme that has recurred throughout my career. I think the first time I encountered it was at leadership training for Citizens' Organising on 1992. It was an item on a list of the the characteristics of a leader, 'they are aware of their mortality'. 'I am human and so I am finite' should be the mantra of any leader. A good sign of a leader who is aware of their own mortality is their preparedness for passing on the baton to someone else.
During June 1997, I travelled around the country visiting community regeneration projects. One of these was Moss Side and Hulme Community Development Trust. This was the only project I visited twice during that month because I was impressed by the man who took me round. He had just retired I think as vicar of the parish but had dedicated several decades to community regeneration in the area. I am sorry I have forgotten his name and somewhere buried in my files I will find it some day.
What he had to say made a great impression on me at the time but the thing I remember most vividly is this. One year later I wanted to check something with him about our conversation and so I phoned him. The phone was answered by a woman who explained that he had had a severe stroke and was no longer able to talk or participate in any way. He had prepared her to step into his shoes and so she was now answering his phone! She knew who I was and answered all my questions.
I have met immortal people during my career in community development. They have one solution to all problems and their aim is to subject everything to that solution. Often it is a good solution and capable of significant success. But they do not grow in their position and those around them cannot grow either, there is a sense of stuck-ness.
I am convinced this is what the ancients meant by demonic possession. It is a close identification with an organisation that becomes an absolute. It can do no wrong and is the solution to all the problems. Everything is tidy and just so; nothing is out of place. Ultimately, things collapse around them because nothing can be that tidy.
My fear is that there are many people like this in our churches. They have an absolute idea of what God is like and so expect God's church to be perfect too, and indeed God's world. There are so many mistakes in this tragic illusion. They believe without evidence that God is perfect. They believe everything God made should be perfect and are outraged that it is not and that other people keep on sinning. But the worst mistake is the assumption never addressed that they are the perfect mouthpiece of God.
There is another way; the way of mess, the way trodden by sinners, where a messy God loves a messy world. Who would want to live in a perfect universe? Why is their error so damaging? An answer is on page 29 of Presence:
Most change initiatives that end up going nowhere don't fail because they lack grand visions and noble intentions. They fail because people can't see the reality they face.
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