The Reluctant Prophet: The In-Between Time

Photo by Soul Sana@soulsana

Many of us who have been working with the religious shifts in our culture and in our congregations believe we are living in one of the BIG “in-between times.’ Big cultural paradigm shifts are often measured in decades, not in years. In fact, the current religious shift in religious loyalty and organization probably began in the 1960’s. If paradigm shifts are measured by the start of the erosion of one assumed structure and the appearance of new adopted structure, then we may be in this in-between time for many more decades.

I write this because I find myself vacillating in my book on who is my real audience. Is it the people and organizations who still find their meaning, livelihood and faith n the old paradigm or is the people and emerging start-up organizations who are timidly and faithfully stepping into the new paradigm?

If you have followed my writing you will know that this seems to be a common theme. Currently, my writing seems to be directed toward the church as an organization. But before this my blog posts focused on the writings of the mystics as well as my reflections on walking the Camino de Santiago—both of which I consider fodder for those trying to find their way in a new emerging paradigm.

Photo by Topich@topich

When I was offered an executive position nearly ten years ago, I was told I was the “inside/outside” candidate. I think that was just another way of saying that I had one foot in the present paradigm and another foot in the emerging paradigm.

I have often thought my work vacillated between between a long-term organizational hospice chaplain and a midwife accompanying new birth. It is sometimes an uncomfortable place to be, but quite honestly the two feed off each other. Spring doesn’t happen unless winter comes first. And new life only emerges out of some form of loss and death.

But, I wanted to share that I am vacillating right now as I write this book. Is this an either/or question or a both/and question? Am I writing to those struggling in the old paradigm or am I writing to those trying on the new paradigm? I am getting some help with this vacillation right now. I am meeting with a number of colleagues and friends over the next two months to help me answer the question, “How can my book be helpful as we navigate this cultural and religious transition?”

I will share some of what I learn from these conversations over the next few posts.

In the meantime, feel free to pester me with questions and comments and your thoughts on this matter. All of it is fodder for my thinking and potential book material.

Thanks for being along for the ride.