But the time and energy to think is strictly limited! It simply is not possible to think in a thorough-going way about everything all the time. Doing so would paralyse us. This does not mean, as some infer, that there is little point in trying to think about anything in depth. On the contrary, it points us to the vital importance of selecting carefully just what we should be thinking about at any particular time. Of itself that requires thought. Life is, in fact, sustained by an ever changing pattern of doing things without thinking, doing and thinking at the same time, and thinking before doing. Human and spiritual development occurs when the combination of thought and action is creatively integrated. (From: Analysis and Design , page 16)
I think I first encountered George Lovell in the early 1990s, when he was involved with Avec, at Chelsea Methodist Church. At that time, I took one of the Avec courses. (Avec is the French for with.) Over ten years later, I took part in his post-graduate diploma, Consultancy, Mission and Ministry, which drew on his long experience of non-directive practice for church and community workers. If Britain has a home grown equivalent to Citizens' Organising in the States, it was Avec and more recently the CMM course, which continues despite George Lovell's retirement. It is a pity his work is not better known but then non-directive working has never been particularly valued in the UK.
The creative integration of thought and action is sometimes called Praxis. I believe all the great movements of Christian inspired change have achieved, at least for a period, integration of thought and action. Sometimes we call it integrity. This is a theme we should reflect upon, particularly if we value the transformation of human societies.
Comments