There's someone who is in regular conversation with me off the blog over my blog posts. I often think that our off the blog exchanges are better than anything I put on the blog.
Yesterday, this guy (That's right, Lew, I identified this person as male.) took me to task because I'm pretty consistent in calling the new New Strategic Plan institution-based and the framers of the plan institutionalists.
He suggested that I'm making a much bigger point than is justified in pointing out that the new New Strategic Plan calls for the expansion of Conference staff to an E. D. and FOUR directors.
In the Round Table Meetings, apparently, Kevin suggested that not as much money would go into paying for these Directors as it might appear and that Kevin expected the E. D. to fill one of the Director roles.
So, let me be clear:
My strong objection is that this plan is focused entirely on polishing up the institution...
...AND NOT ON DISCIPLING AND MOBILIZING THE ENTIRE BODY.
All we've done in recent generations is attempt to get hierarchy right with the assumption that effective ministry will result from a perfectly functioning leadership structure.
Yet, all we've accomplished is turn our people into increasingly passive consumers of our leadership's religious products and services.
And, this new New Strategic Plan will continue that trend.
In the Church of God movement days, the Priesthood of all Believers functioned.
These days, we are becoming theologically conservative Lutheran wannabes. And, this plan will make us more like the Lutherans and even less like we were when we were a thriving Spirit-empowered movement.
We need less, not more, institution and more, not less, life in the Spirit.
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