God was smiling on today's cycling event. It was a rare, dry, cool Carolina July morning and the cyclists turned out by the hundreds at Lowe's corporate headquarters in the town of Mooresville (NASCAR capitol of the world), about a 35-minute drive from the farm. Wanting today's event to provide more fun than challenge, I converted my goal from miles to kilometers...i.e. from 100 miles to a metric century of 65 miles. The last-minute change failed to remove all of the challenge.
Some of the basic tenets of Margaret Wheatley's work (my current 'read'), applying quantum science to organizational dynamics, was realized during today's event. It is certainly beyond the scope of this blog to convey a broad reporting of this "new" science (assuming I understood itto begin with), but a thread that runs through quantum approaches is the significance of relationships. One does not study systems, organisms, structures or organizations by dissecting and analyzing their parts, but always by examining the whole and the manners in which the parts of that whole relate.
If you have followed the coverage of the Tour de France you have likely done so from above, i.e. from aerial views. I have noticed the fluidity of the movement of the pelaton (the large, main group of racers). They move like a flock of birds, all relating in some way to one another. Though we moved today with a fraction of the grace and skill of these professional riders, all of our movements somehow related to other cyclists or to some impending threat to the group. If one cyclist moved left, the rest in his sphere of influence also moved left. "Car back!" a cyclist in the rear of the group might shout, and we would all respond accordingly. If the cyclist in front slowed, the by golly those behind him had better follow suit. We were in relationship for the good of the whole.
I picked up a rider at mile 28 who was content to stick to my back wheel for the rest of the ride. Just as in racing cars, cyclists draft upon each other to reduce the work that they expend. Though I never learned his name, we were in relationship...which obviously benefited him a great deal more than me!
When I take even a cursory examination around me these days I see that our culture is defined by its need and yearning for relationship. This is why "community" is the most frequently used word in church titles. It is relationship that prompts guests to darken church doors. They are searching for connection, ...with God and with the people of God. I suspect that this is also true for most who are reading these words. The primary reason that we belong to churches and organizations is the relationships that we maintain there.
Wheatley's work has been a bear to read. But I know that when I return to the highlighted sections and review there will be marvelous insights and truths to apply to ministry, to the way we structure staff and programming and outreach. More later.
I found myself proclaiming today, "Well, I ain't in Kansas any longer." The terrain around the lake was hilly and challenging. I finished the 65 miles in just over three hours, averaging around 19 mph, a decent pace for me. It was a well-sponsored event with tents of food, music, smiles and southern hospitality. A good day.
I returned to the farm to finish Wheatley's book, now with a little deeper appreciation for her insights having experienced them firsthand.
Tonight I shared supper with my two brothers. It is the first time we've been at table together in years.
I will miss being around the Lord's table with you Atonemenites this weekend. But reemmber that this is a meal that transcends time and geography. So as I feast with the Lord and upon the Lord here tomorrow, I shall feast with you as well. And you remain in my prayers.
Some of the basic tenets of Margaret Wheatley's work (my current 'read'), applying quantum science to organizational dynamics, was realized during today's event. It is certainly beyond the scope of this blog to convey a broad reporting of this "new" science (assuming I understood itto begin with), but a thread that runs through quantum approaches is the significance of relationships. One does not study systems, organisms, structures or organizations by dissecting and analyzing their parts, but always by examining the whole and the manners in which the parts of that whole relate.
If you have followed the coverage of the Tour de France you have likely done so from above, i.e. from aerial views. I have noticed the fluidity of the movement of the pelaton (the large, main group of racers). They move like a flock of birds, all relating in some way to one another. Though we moved today with a fraction of the grace and skill of these professional riders, all of our movements somehow related to other cyclists or to some impending threat to the group. If one cyclist moved left, the rest in his sphere of influence also moved left. "Car back!" a cyclist in the rear of the group might shout, and we would all respond accordingly. If the cyclist in front slowed, the by golly those behind him had better follow suit. We were in relationship for the good of the whole.
I picked up a rider at mile 28 who was content to stick to my back wheel for the rest of the ride. Just as in racing cars, cyclists draft upon each other to reduce the work that they expend. Though I never learned his name, we were in relationship...which obviously benefited him a great deal more than me!
When I take even a cursory examination around me these days I see that our culture is defined by its need and yearning for relationship. This is why "community" is the most frequently used word in church titles. It is relationship that prompts guests to darken church doors. They are searching for connection, ...with God and with the people of God. I suspect that this is also true for most who are reading these words. The primary reason that we belong to churches and organizations is the relationships that we maintain there.
Wheatley's work has been a bear to read. But I know that when I return to the highlighted sections and review there will be marvelous insights and truths to apply to ministry, to the way we structure staff and programming and outreach. More later.
I found myself proclaiming today, "Well, I ain't in Kansas any longer." The terrain around the lake was hilly and challenging. I finished the 65 miles in just over three hours, averaging around 19 mph, a decent pace for me. It was a well-sponsored event with tents of food, music, smiles and southern hospitality. A good day.
I returned to the farm to finish Wheatley's book, now with a little deeper appreciation for her insights having experienced them firsthand.
Tonight I shared supper with my two brothers. It is the first time we've been at table together in years.
I will miss being around the Lord's table with you Atonemenites this weekend. But reemmber that this is a meal that transcends time and geography. So as I feast with the Lord and upon the Lord here tomorrow, I shall feast with you as well. And you remain in my prayers.
2 comments:
I'm impressed! A metric century averaging 19 mph. Huxley was right when he said it's not the destination, but the journey. You can see more of God's creation on two wheels than four.
Enjoying reading your blog. May even get into a few of the books.
Jan
When I first was getting ready to move to Kansas - sixteen years ago! - I was concerned about leaving so many people behind that had meant so much to me. A friend provided me with an image that has given me much assurance over the years...
"Steve," he said, "if you are walking hand-in-hand with God, and I am walking hand-in-hand with God, then we are walking together - regardless how far apart we may be in the physical world."
So as I see it, you were at our communion table Sunday morning - even though I was in Waterville, Ohio, 740 miles from Kansas, and you were in North Carolina, 750 miles from me and nearly 1,200 miles from Atonement.
"We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord..."
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