My brother recently returned from a trip to Europe, Paris, and the Louvre. He took the accompanying picture of the Mona Lisa – probably the most well-known painting in the world. I can remember being in the gallery where the Mona Lisa hangs and it seems as if her eyes followed me wherever I was standing. And did you know that it was after the French Revolution that the Mona Lisa was first moved to the Louvre? Later Napoleon had it moved to his bedroom in the Tuileries Palace — it was eventually returned to the Louvre. It would have been a bit creepy to have it in a bedroom with those eyes following people around…

So, how do we (laymen and laywomen) look at art? The following, I think, is excellent input from Justin Paton. What’s the big deal about looking at art? A little over 30% of the Bible is poetry and I think we need the artisans among us to help us interpret the Bible. Bible teachers tend to come at Scripture with a western, rational, scientific mindset, but there’s the right-brained interpretation that will help us to see fresh facets of God’s heart…

(Right Brained Perspective: uses feeling, “big picture” oriented, imagination rules, symbols and images, present and future, philosophy & religion, can “get it” – i.e. meaning, believes, appreciates, spatial perception, knows object function, fantasy based, presents possibilities, impetuous, risk taking.)

How to view ART…

1. Respect the thing.
2. Take your sweet time. One painting seen well beats dozens seen in a state of perspiration and frustration.
3. That said, see as many paintings as you can, and then hunt for more. The fuller your image bank is with remembered paintings, the richer your responses will be to new ones.
4. When looking at a painting, before answering the question ‘What do I think?’ try ‘What did I notice?‘ No opinions without observations.
5. If you’re troubled by an apparent lack — not enough color, not enough imagery — try turning the doubt into a question. What would an artist have to gain by losing those things? What is he or she inviting you to notice in their absence? You may feel previously unnoticed aspects of a painting emerging with new sharpness.
6. Try to imagine your way into a painting’s life.
7. If a work doesn’t feel as though it’s for you, try imagining the person it is for. At the very least, you will have stepped outside the circle of your accustomed tastes. You might even find yourself enjoying it out there.
8. If an artwork’s giving you nothing, there’s no shame in turning your back. Remember, though, that if you don’t occasionally wade through art’s lows, you’re hardly qualified to register the highs.
9. Trust your own impressions. Children often have piercingly accurate things to say about paintings because they haven’t yet been taught to distrust their first impressions and spontaneous associations. Tease out the significance of what you’re already seeing, rather than fretting about unseen meanings.
10. Trust the painting. The best advice about how to look at a particular painting is usually right there in the painting.

Justin Paton is one of New Zealand’s foremost art writers. A former lecturer in art history and theory at Auckland’s Unitec Institute of Technology, since 1999 he has been curator of contemporary art at Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

In my experience as a pastor, leadership coach, and interventionist this issue of developing reproducible systems, or functional structures, is one of the two most common struggles faced by congregations (the other is a commitment to inevitable conflict resolution).

The Church is the living Body of Christ. Like all healthy organisms, it requires numerous systems which work together to fulfill its intended purpose. Each must be evaluated regularly to determine if it is still the best way to accomplish the intended purpose.

Ministry Systems

1. Cell –> Cardiovascular –>Nutrients/Care & Nurture
2. Celebration –> Respiratory/Oxygen –> Worship & Spirit
3. Nurture –> Digestive/Food Process –> Teaching
4. Communication –> Nervous/Sensory & Motor –> Awareness & Discernment
5. Management –> Skeletal/Support –> Organized Structure
6. Outreach –> Reproductive/Procreation –> Evangelism, Cell, & Church Multiplication
7. Intercession –> Endocrine/Hormones –> Prayer
8. Counseling & Support –> Excretory/Eliminates Waste –> Counseling

Structures are… systems for communication and decision-making.

• the programs and ministries of the church.
• the systems and infrastructure which links them together into a unified organism.
• the written and unwritten forms, institutions and regulations which define church culture.

Some churches see structures as immovable and unchangeable. They are resistant to structures becoming “functional” since that would mean change. In these churches, the leaders refuse to take responsibility for the structures which exist since in most cases they did not create them.

Other churches see structures as unspiritual and feel that if one is following the Spirit, “structures” are irrelevant to growth. Therefore, leaders feel it is unnecessary to evaluate structure.

If they are not functioning properly, the body is sick and will not thrive.

Functional structures are like the skeleton and organs which enable the body to fulfill its intended purpose.

An honest evaluation of effectiveness which may include:

• being in accord with the values, mission and vision of the church and specific ministries.
• producing intended results.
• being congruent with biotic principles (NCD).
• raising up more leaders for the harvest.
• utilizing the giftedness of those involved.

Reflection Questions

• When was the last time your values, vision, and mission were reviewed by the leadership of your church?
• How does your church view the importance of functional structures?
• Of the essentials for functional structures (clear vision and mission statement, honest evaluation of effectiveness and openness to strategic changes to increase fruitfulness), which are strengths and which are weaknesses for your church?
• What will you do to make your ministries reproducible?
• In what way does each ministry, program and system exemplify the six biotic principles?

Reproducible systems multiply functional structures
Reproducible systems allow important activities to be repeated without “re-inventing the wheel” each time.

They enable ministry to expand according to vision, need and increased capacity for ministry.

In order to be reproducible, a ministry must:

• have an understandable philosophy of multiplication.
• have clarity on structure and protocol.
• be able to raise up the next generation of leaders from within.
• be capable of bridging generational issues.
• empower the newest person.
• provide expressly measurable success indicators.
• establish identity for participants.
• mobilize for maximum prayer support.

Multiply reproducible systems
As the harvest is gathered, the church’s potential for multiplying disciples, groups and congregations must increase proportionally. Reproducible systems increase the capacity for a greater harvest so that multiplication can happen at all levels.

In order to develop functional structures several things have to be looked at:

Values: “Who are you?”
Mission: “Where are you going?”
Vision: “How will you get there?”
Outcomes: “Are you there yet?”
Ministry Flow Chart: “What are you doing to get where we’re going?”
Organizational Chart and Job Descriptions: “Who is going to do it, and what are they supposed to do?”

Reflection Questions

• What are the core values of your church?
• What are the indicators in ministry, human resources, finances or material which measure your effectiveness? What would change if there were a problem?
• How would you explain “success,” in terms of your church’s vision, to an outsider?
• What ministries are needed to enable a smooth flow of people from unchurched to fully-devoted followers?
• Which programs are designed primarily to meet the needs of the unchurched community? How many people work in ministries aimed outside of the church? How much of the budget is spent on external ministries?
• What does your organizational chart tell you about your church?

Making structures functional
Lack of functionality in structures comes from a lack of:

• intentional approach to ministry and mission
• overall ownership to a clear, concise vision
• clarity to agreed upon model of ministry
• commitment to excellence

Creating functional structures is an on-going process of:

• evaluating — determining course action needed
• planning — determining how that action will be carried out
• implementing — actually doing it

Evaluate functional structures using three criteria:

• how closely it is related to the vision
• how effective it is in its operation with regards to its intended function and outcomes
• what its contribution is to producing harvest leaders

Action Points
Removing – Like a dead or unproductive branch, some structures may need to be terminated. Other structures act as inhibitors to growth through distractions, resource draining and competing time slots. Essentially, they squeeze the life out of more vital ministries.

Pruning – By identifying the structure with the greatest potential for fruitfulness, other structures can be pruned to allow for more growth. Some structures, while essentially good, need to be cut back to maximize focus.

Shaping – Continual evaluation and minor improvements will assure continued growth. By affirming the areas which are bearing fruit, you can encourage and participate in more of what God is blessing.

Cultivating – Training, additional resources and coaching act as fertilizer to increase the fruitfulness of those in ministry. Weeding helps get rid of ministries which are competing for resources. Sometimes, grafting one ministry into another can enhance both ministries.

Reproducing – Apprenticing emerging leaders at every level is essential. You will assure that present ministries will have the capacity to continue and grow; new ministries will be launched to meet new needs as capacity increases.

Reflection Questions

• What measurable results are you looking for in each ministry?
• How clearly can you articulate the primary purpose for each ministry structure in your church? How effectively are those purposes being achieved?
• What ministries do you need to stop doing? What ministries need to be re-purposed?
• Which present structures enhance growth? Which ones hinder growth?
• How many people have stepped into new areas of leadership in the past year?

Dr. Paul Ray and Dr. Sherry Anderson wrote their book (Harmony, 2000) and have dubbed an emerging culture, comprised of 26% of the U.S. population and masses of Europeans, “The Cultural Creatives.” (This, they say, translates into roughly 50m in the US and 80-90m in the European Union.) They argue that the urban industrial culture is evolving into a culture of information, biotechnology, spirituality, and ecological concern.

It’s a thoughtful look at how the postmodern person has now come into the position of dominant influence in American society and is deconstructing previous values and practices while simultaneously rebuilding life in innovative and new ways — we, no doubt, saw them weigh-in on a host of issues in the recent election.

Through research this book synthesizes a lot of the hunches and presuppositions that pastors working in postmodern contexts have intuited. It is a vital read for anyone wanting to more clearly understand and comprehend the future that is upon us.

According to Ray and Anderson, the Cultural Creatives are growing quickly and will become the dominant force in politics and society. Their book uncovers the thinking behind the Cultural Creatives growth and what they hold for our future. While the book’s concentration on American culture tends to weaken its universal appeal, the authors offer fascinating insight into people who care deeply about the ecology and saving the planet, about relationships, peace, and social justice, about authenticity, self-actualization, spirituality, and self-expression.

The Cultural Creatives have had no idea they constitute one in every four Americans (eight years after publication, that may be changing). As this group grows, they will discover their power and will demand the following:

• Ecologically sustainable products and services
• Concern for the whole planet and its people
• Authenticity in products and people
• Women’s issues
• Spirituality and a redefinition of success

Check out their website to learn more and to see if you fall into the category of cultural creative at www.culturalcreatives.org.

I recently finished reading this book and made some notes for a manuscript I’m working on. It’s a worthy read about a girl who grows up to become a prostitute having only encountered men as being wickedly self-centered and abusive. Michael Hosea, a man of deep and authentic faith, sees her on the street one day accompanied by her body guard and falls instantaneously in love with her. The rest of the book is the redemptive story of their transformation.

• He [Michael] wasn’t going to embrace sex and lose sight of love (pg 155)

• Sex is, “meant to be a celebration of love.” (pg 155)

• “That’s why he’s on his knees …“He’s fighting for her the only way he can.” [Miriam to Paul regarding viewing Michael in the field praying for his wife.]

• He [Paul] had plotted her [Angel’s] destruction and destroyed himself in the process. From that time, he had been consumed by hatred, blinded by it. I have been insufferable and self-righteous and cruel. The revelation was bitter and painful, but a relief, too. There was an odd sort of freedom in standing before a mirror and seeing himself clearly. For the first time in his life. (pg 450)

• If it hadn’t been for Miriam, what would he have become? Loving her had softened him. She had seen something in him he’d never imagined anyone one … could see. (pg 450)

• Now that he [Paul] thought back, he couldn’t remember one time when she had defended herself. Why hadn’t she? (pg 450)

• If he [Paul] had reached out just once as Miriam had said, maybe things would have been different, but he was too proud, too sure he was right. (pg 450)

• He [Michael] held out his hand. “Hello Sarah.” She looked endearingly confused as she placed her hand in his. He shook it and grinned down at her. I’m very pleased to meet you. Finally.” (pg 462)

• Michael had once read to her how God had cast a man and woman out of Paradise [she had been a prostitute at the Pair-A-Dice Saloon]. Yet, for all their human faults and failures, God had shown them the way back in. (pg 462)

• Love the Lord your God, and love one another. Love one another as he loves. Love with strength and purpose and passion and no matter what comes against you. Don’t weaken. Stand against the darkness, and love. That’s the way back into Eden. That’s the way back to life. (pg 462)