To Live is to Navigate Uncertainty
As human beings, we are all naturally geared toward survival. We make decisions each day that will promote our own perpetuation in the world, to preserve our well-being, and find…
Does America Need to Be Made Great Again?
The US is currently on a quest to make America great again. But great according to who: the global community, the American people, or both? There is little dispute America…
Faith Communities are Living Systems
Systems dynamics is a valuable area of thinking for ministry leaders. To understand the systems that impact ministry success, as well as societal health, are vital. Too often, though, systems…
CLD for a Church Building
Trying to make sense out of organizational life can be very challenging, but attempting to make sense out of organizational life through linear thinking may not only make it more…
Causal Loop Diagrams for Clarity
In his book, Strategic Modeling and Business Dynamics, John Morecroft (2015) uses the system of violent drug crime as a model to explain how a causal loop works. The focus…
Causal Loop Diagrams for Clarity
In his book, Strategic Modeling and Business Dynamics, John Morecroft (2015) uses the system of violent drug crime as a model to explain how a causal loop works. The focus…
Ministry Lessons from Russia
Discussing systems dynamics and leverage points, an interesting thought lingers. Systems thinkers have the ability to simplify complexity for wiser decision-making through identifying leverage points and pushing them in the…
Value Life Over Prosperity
Is the best thing the new thing? This is a question that plagues me randomly, particularly when the chaos of progress, efficiency, and innovation attempts to sweep me off of…
Reaching Your City As A Living System
A relationship with Christ was never meant to be done in isolation. Too often followers of Christ focus solely on their personal development in their relationship with Christ for their…
Linear Thinking Is Not Enough
Linear thinking is the best! At least, that is what I thought early on in ministry. Linear thinking is approaching problems from a process perspective, a “step-by-step progression where each…