RE: BenCompton's note/absolute truth:
Ben I noted your response to rich in regard to absolute truth. I believe
there is an absolute truth and therefore we operate with it in our context
regardless of whether we recognize the truth as such (see New Testament:
Colossians 1). Truth as absolute does not reside in me or in our order
per se but only in the Creator God. Therefore, if I say that I am
operating on principles of absolute truth makes me arrogant and ingorant.
An operating model of action/reflection/learning that I use for churches
as learning organizations (since Christians do confess that God is truth)
is that of three concentric circles. One circle is for our "Tradition"
(beliefs or mental models, doctrines, family emotional systems stuff,
etc.) The second circle is that of the sciences and general sociological
culture and the third is my experience. I use these three as the basis
for inquiry and then for developing an appropriate intervention. After
reflection/learning, recycle it. There is not a lot different from what
lots of the subscribers of this list to, but it may give a handle as to
how to integrate a faith perspective that gives internal integrity for
you.
Your leadership themes are interesting but smak a mit of eisogesis. Take
what you have an overlay them with Ann Howards research on "High
Involvement Leadership". 1800-944-7782.
Dr. Robert Anderson
Interim Ministry Specialist
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Allentown, NJ (Princeton area)
--Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>