1. Confessions of a technical fixer

2. An “Adaptive Challenge” occurs: 1. When the environment changes 2. The Current system(s) fail 3. Become overly dependant on authority

3. The Status Quo is enough, minor changes are all that are needed. The system is complex, but current know-how is enough. Current authority can make the necessary changes for vitality. Current structures and procedures are effective. Major changes in thinking and doing need to occur. The old ways don’t work, new learning is needed to be effective. New stakeholders are required for continuing vitality. New structures and procedures are needed to remain relevant. Technical ViewAdaptive Challenge Technical vs. Adaptive

4. Observe (WHAT?) Interpret (SO WHAT?) Intervene (NOW WHAT?) Oregon

5. Responsibility for the future of the organization is shared Leadership capacity is developed Reflection and learning are institutionalize Elephants in the room are named New stakeholders are found

6. Most merciful God, We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. 1 We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and what we have left undone. 2 We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. 3 For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. 4

7. In Adaptive leadership this means that we feel we have the tools necessary to fix the current issues we face.

8. We recognize that an increasingly significant portion of our giving comes from retirement income. This is a major shift from previous circumstances and means that previous technical fixes will not work.

9. We are still bound up in the “Theology of Glory,” believing that we can fix our stewardship issues. We acknowledge that sin happens at all levels, from the national level to the congregational level. We have not partnered with new stakeholders and are unable to trust that God is acting through them.

10. We attempted to partner with a young man who was a growing leader within the Occupy movement. Unfortunately we lost the relationship because we feared our language was too “churchy.” So basically we said we didn’t want to see the doctor because we were too sick…

11. How can we see other organizations as partners with us in service and not as competitors? How can we include communities that have been left out in the past?

12. Having marginalized a significant population, we are now opening the doors to new relationships. “Freedom to Marry” is one organization that congregations and members are partnering with.

14. St. Matthew’s in Central Point, Oregon Third Space in Gresham, Oregon New Rivers Clackamas County, Oregon Stewardship is a process in which we trust that God is still at work in the world today. Therefore, we become vulnerable to new relationships and new stakeholders as we seek to move through the adaptive challenges facing everyone in the church today.

16. www.soulcafe.org Group name: Macedonia 2013