THE TEXTURE OF LEADERSHIP FOR TOMORROW'S CHURCH - PART TWO

I highlighted a few observations about this book in yesterday's post, and we continue with part two today. 

At the time of publication, the author was the founding pastor of West Winds Community Church. "WCC" is known for using word, digital art, sculptures, scent, and sketch. 

Martoia begins by addressing the changes occurring in our world and how the church must "morph" to stay relevant.

EARTHY STORIES
(p.126) Concerning story, this is something that requires our full learning potential to do well. Story is the communication mode in this postmodern world. Story has never been out of vogue, but it is highly fashionable these days as we move away from the sterility of an Aristotelian rationalism that's into points, principles, and expounded propositions. 

Jesus didn't say anything to the disciples without using a parable, an earthy story. (Mark 4:34) We may have reversed Jesus method, yet one more area in which we've sanctified our methods and claimed for them special divine status. Jesus always spoke to the disciples in parables, and then when they were together he explained. We expound, explain, propound, complain, and throw in a poem for good measure. The old homiletics line from seminary days comes home here, our preaching is three points and a poem. Should I say, "Points made"?

The reason the story is so important is its connective and aligning power. Stories bond us to each other. They create shared community and enable us to create history together. The collective stories of a group become the shared bond only they have.

HONESTLY NOW
(p.160) One of the characteristics of truly great organizations is the ability to be brutally honest about the facts. We can never get to our destination unless we are brutally honest about our current location. Leaders of the morphic sort have built-in GPS for where the church is sitting at any given time. The reality is that the church for far too long misapplied scripture and ignored Jesus' clear words.   

Though published 12 years ago, I do believe he makes church leadership observations that are helpful today. I give the book a 3.9 out of 5.