The Genius of the AND

In his book Built to Last, Jim Collins says: The “Tyranny of the OR” pushes people to believe that things must be either A OR B, but not both. . . .

Instead of being oppressed by the “Tyranny of the OR,” highly visionary companies liberate themselves with the “Genius of the AND”—the ability to embrace both extremes of a number of dimensions at the same time. Instead of choosing between A OR B, they figure out a way to have both A AND B.

Missional parishes should not fool themselves into thinking that they can do either mission or care giving; that they can be either outward focused or inward focused. Missional parishes must do BOTH. In fact, they must focus on service AND care AND spirituality AND community.

Incarnating the Love of Jesus

Whatever else the church is called to be, it is most certainly called to be Jesus’ expression of love and compassion to the world. Providing care for hurting people is not an option, but an opportunity, because sometimes we are the only glimpse of Jesus some people will ever see. Stephen Ministry is to be a part of this parish effort.

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