We are where we place ourselves

Diagnosis, Syntheis and Prognosis.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

♥ Wednesday, September 19, 2007

DIAGNOSIS

Whats the diagnosis of the problem community faces? Lets list them down. Essentially, i think i will classify them under these 2 headings.
1) Commitment
2) fundamental differences of vision of community

Under commitment, you have issues like lack of fervour, lack of spiritual development ya da ya da.
Personally i think that this is not so much aproblem of community as it is a problem of society (which is the community at large).
It reflects the mentality of an age where the emphasis is on the fun, the excitement, the lack of obligation..a certain hedonistic libertarian like culture. And at the route of it, is an individual unwilling to stand up for any beliefs, make any form of sacrifices, reluctant to put himself aside.

You have commitment problems when people have one foot in and another foot out (not excl myself of course). When you have people with the excitement to begin something, but lack the stamina to see it through, when you have those who love to speak, but those who hate to live, when you have mediocrity..you have a fundamental commitment problem. But they and i can tell you that the problem isnt with commitment. Commitment only reveals a greater issue:

The issue of a fundamental difference in perceptions of community. Let me list down the extremes. There are those fixated on the past, the fluid structure-less nature without imposing standards or expectations on each individual. And yet inspite of these lack of establishment, people were more involved and 'on fire' so to speak. The other extreme is equally fantastic. That is the school of thought which i come from- we begin from where the community is. Forget where we were, forget where we want to go, the essence is the here and now- how to 'sway' it in the right general direction is the key to move it where we want to reach. Of course, its not a watertight argument.
I think the right method is in the synthesis of where ppl want to go, where ppl were and where ppl are.

SYNTHESIS
The bringing together of past present and future. The balance of what we were, where we are and where we want to go is rather essential in the crystallisation of the concept of community. When i looked up the definition of vision, i chanced upon the definition of illusion. Both seemed to me to be strikingly (and horrifically) similar. BOth involved some abstract concept, both dealth with what wasnt the present, and when you think of the two...you inevitably ask yourself "where does vision end and illusion begin?"

When does belief becomes bluff? I think there must be a certain root in community to avoid having this. This 'root' i speak of comes from the day to day exchanges, the meaningful overlapping of lives that i've become wary thinking of, this active engagement of activities and ministry that allows one to understand the human concept of community. This grounding in the people's lives is what prevents anyone from floating into the abstract, of painting ideals only to be disillusioned by a humbling reality.

PROGNOSIS

The question then must be the how. The practical means of achieving a certain form of a solution. What did Jesus do, what can be done etc etc. I think there are various forms of how that are equally ridiculous for reasons that are quite obvious. BUt for sake of discussion i will list them down anyway.

1) An absolutely charismatic leadership. This suggestion comes from an observation that people need a certain influence and force to persuade them in the right direction. The problem with this is that the absolute leader you need is in the bible, and if that is not persuasive enough, then its hard to imagine what could be.

2) Change oneself. This is a very attractive concept. Light in the darkness, salt of the earth, change must come from within, inspired by example etc. It is noble and at times it might even seem that it work. But if we are to move community in a certain direction, i think we need more than just "you can be that difference"

I think the key to this must be ..WHY would you be that difference. Looking through a certain political speech, i really marvelled at how people are only going to fight for somehting if they OWN it. Like national service, you arent fighting for the country, you are fighting for that which you hold dear- your loved ones, your property, wadeva. I am inclined to use that concept.

What stakes can people have in the community? I suggest giving more weight to the ministries, giving more ownership in the community. Its not enough that people have a vote at agms. I think they must be responsible for something. And what could that be??

As I am typing this, i am already forseeing the huge dissent among those who might read this. "if our lives truly reflect that of a christian community, naturally people will be inclined to join and be inspired to commit?" something to that effect perhaps? Well..i just have to be the pragmatist here. And in my humble opinion, that logic doesnt stand in the face of a somewhat experienced pragmatist in community.

So continue the way we are, dont be discouraged, cuz there's nth to be discouraged about. And lets channel our resources into making people feel at home in their community.

Things will then look brighter.