The key to keeping going, to living life on the knife-edge is the enthusiasm of those taking part. This should be understood in the literal sense of enthusiasm, spirit filled. The spirit filled community shares the same vision, is living in the Kingdom, living eternal life. So, we see the Jerusalem community in the early chapters of Acts, having everything in common, to the extent that later we learn Paul is collecting for the same (now impoverished) community (2 Corinthians).
This shared vision is presumably meant by Kahane in his fourth generative type of conversation. This is the type of conversation that creates new things; makes a genuine contribution for the good of society in general.
The innovation and creativity that is required to keep going on the knife-edge is often expressed in simple structures that allow for future more complex developments. So, Wesley's societies, classes and bands led in time to the union movement and co-operation. Simple listening exercises led to the growth of projects for the unemployed through Dark Holy Ground.
I am sure the same spirit is behind Citizens' Organising in the United States. This movement is grounded in the Churches and is based on a searching analysis of power used with love.
To stay on the knife-edge those taking part need to engage with reality and also with a vision. Bringing the two together leads to natural creative thinking and practice. Forward planning is no longer a dry paper exercise, it is something that grows naturally out of conversation. It also grows naturally out of the powerless finding their voices.
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