Each Coaching Session presents the perspective of a ministry leader responding to this focus and format of questions ...
- WHY ~ rethink everything?
- WHEN ~ Why now?
- WHAT ~ does a "reimagine" process look like and what makes it difficult?
- WHERE ~ do I begin?
- WHO ~ are the thought leaders that can help me?
- HOW ~ can you/your ministry help me?
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The #ReimagineFORUM Coaching Session • Phil Miglioratti
Phil is the Curator/Coordinator of The #ReimagineFORUM @ Pray.Network and Discipleship.Network
Phil’s vision, through the collaborative ministry of The #ReimagineFORUM, is to engage and equip 10,000 Christ-serving leaders in their Romans 12:2 journey of “being transformed by the renewing of our mind” … A reviving of the Church by a revising of the temporary wineskins that have become standardized in our ministry. Spirit-led, Scripture-fed, discernment of how to rethink-to-relink with a radically and rapidly changing culture. Redesigning Gospel ministry while preserving Gospel truths.
WHY?
Many leaders are motivated to reimagine their approach to ministry because their strategies or systems are producing very little fruit. Others realize the signs of the times point to a need for transformative change; simple upgrades are insufficient. All of us, however, need to review-revise-revive our ministry because of biblical commands that did not expire when our worship traditions were standardized or our ministry methods became our default model of how to pray together or train volunteers or share the Gospel.
These (and many other) Scriptures call every Christ-serving leader to take a journey; a pursuit that produces transformation in themselves, neighbors, and nations
A serious reimagine-journey has many risks. We may simply be rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship; swapping something trendy for something traditional. We may be following a person or program that was intended as the reimagine-journey of another leader or ministry but not for us.
Another significant risk is that a pursuit of God’s calling/mission/will (the mind of Christ as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit) usually demands change, often radical change, and that can awaken a pharisaical response from those around us (spouse, staff, church members, colleagues) who have a strong reliance on the status quo.
An authentic reimagine-journey may affirm our current mission or vision or passion. But, it might not. It may be the beginning of a new calling that requires a huge step of faith.
WHEN?
I agree … Every generation has a unique set of challenging circumstances, but I am convinced we are living in an unprecedented “hinge of history;” a shifting of views and values that are producing stark changes in the core values of global culture, communication, and our sense of community. A 21st century ‘Roaring 20’s’ is unfolding before us.
The Church must act. Now. But the first step is to hear “Don’t just do something; stand there.”
Every leader who begins a serious reimagine-journey, brings the Church one step closer to a tipping point; the pendulum swing from what many believe is a hypocritical/judgmental/mean-spirited institution, to an authentic community of loving truth-tellers.
We certainly need to protect biblical truth but we often seem more interested in preserving tradition (decades or centuries old) or promoting quick-fix trends. Biblical truth is eternal; the ‘things’ we design or construct to contain and carry that truth in our ministries all have a shelf life. We discover the expiration date only if we keep on asking (questioning the Spirit), keep on seeking (discernment from the Spirit in prayer and Scripture), keep on knocking (until a specific door opens to a new pathway).
WHAT?
I do not understand the term “reimagine” as a New Age practitioner or a therapist does.
To me, to reimagine means to:
I fear my refusal to reimagine (reaching for the mind of Christ) much more than my fear of being deceived (by myself or the Enemy) with an ungodly counterfeit.
-Fear.
Assuming beneficial models/modes from the past are eternal; untouchable.
-Inability to wait; ask, be silent-listen-hear, then obey.
-Unwillingness to be coached by the Holy Spirit.
-Flying solo; my plan, my way.
-Relying on successful leaders/models while not making oneself accountable to a community (cohort group, leadership team, churchwide prayer and deliberation).
-Better at listing (petitions) than listening (perceiving by the Spirit God’s Word and will).
WHERE?
>Seek first his kingdom (God’s righteous reign and rule; God’s purposes and priorities). The Spirit may lead you through a process of:
~Conviction: misplaced trust
~Contrition: genuine sorrow
~Confession: “to say the same thing” by agreeing with God’s diagnosis
>Surrender to a journey of discovery that is •Spirit-led, (“Keep on being filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18) •Scripture-fed (foundational truth), •Worship-bred (praise and honor to God is the beginning, middle, and ultimate goal of every aspect of ministry), •Corporate-said (God’s will is spoken through Spirit-led people, cohorts in our faith community), •Community-spread (reimagining begins with the Church but flows out into neighborhoods and unto the nations).
>Set a daily prayer format:
~Ask … questions of the Coach who will guide your journey (list needs another time)
~Seek … discernment; be still, search Scripture,
~Knock … when the Spirit gives you clear direction, knock (pray boldly and with
confidence),then act faithfully by serving others with kindness and justice
>Share your journey with others who are also pursuing a Spirit-led path to a transformed perspective on ministry. Scout-out cohorts who can give you wise-counsel.
WHO?
You will find a diverse selection of Thought Leaders and Ministry Organizations on:
HOW?
Our mission is to invite/challenge Christ-serving leaders to embark on a Spirit-led journey to “be transformed by the renewing of their mind.” We do not present a programmed set of steps, rather, as the Spirit leads, we encourage “reimagineers” to explore our Archives-Blogs-Categories-Discussions as they pursue their journey:
MORE?
Everything is changing. To blindly embrace every new thought is dangerous but to stubbornly ignore or reject every new shift in culture is foolish.
Begin to:
>Ask questions before giving answers
>Submit traditions (whether years old or set in ancient times) to the review of the Holy
Spirit and be open to being revived by becoming revised.
>Facilitate more. You do not always have to lead or direct; give the Holy Spirit room to
lead through others or in unexpected ways. Soft planning.
>Facilitate from the front (instructions for interaction), the side (listen to conversations
and comments), the back (ask questions that point the conversation back to Jesus, our
center).
PRAY!
Jesus, we present this prayer in your name, your authority, asking for a fresh filling of your Holy Spirit that produces a deep-rooted assessment with the discernment to pursue the path you have for us … and we petition you for the faith to take the next step. To listen with others and to launch out with others who also seek the mind of Christ for every aspect-level-application of ministry.
Build your Church. Not for us but with us and through us.
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