Bridging Secular Wisdom and the Christian Mission: A Dialogue on Growth, Change, and Spiritual Transformation - with Archie Poulos

9 snips

Jan 30, 2024

Explore how 'The Infinite Game' concept can be applied to ministry, embracing long-term thinking for success. Learn about overcoming resistance to change in congregations. Discover lessons for Christian mission from 'After the Ball' book on LGBTI societal acceptance. Dive into the urgency of growth and change in church leadership.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

Aligning Mission with Values: A Shift Towards Virtue-based Leadership

03:14 • 7min

Navigating the Balance between Finite and Infinite Goals in the Christian Mission

10:24 • 3min

Overcoming Inertia: Embracing Change

13:44 • 14min

Exploring Secular Wisdom, Christian Mission, and Spiritual Transformation

27:56 • 4min

What can we learn from recent secular literature about the practice of Christian pastoral leadership?

Head of Ministry at Sydney’s Moore Theological College Archie Poulos looks at how the 'The Infinite Game' concept, popularized by Simon Sinek, can be applied to ministry.

Sinek explores the consequences of short and long term thinking in business and life. Long term success is more likely when an infinite perspective is taken.

Then we examine Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal’s book ‘The Human Element: Overcoming the resistance that awaits new ideas.'

Archie considers the emotional and psychological hurdles (inertia, effort, emotion, and reactance) that congregations face when change is suggested.

We look back to ‘After the Ball’ by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen, a 1989 secular play book for effecting LGBTI societal acceptance. Archie suggests there are lessons from aspects of that strategy for Christian mission.

Plus Archie talks about what impressed him about Andrew Heard’s soon to be released book ‘Growth and Change - The danger and necessity of a passion for church growth.

Purchase/download links to the books discussed this week:

Growth and Change - by Andrew Heard - The danger and necessity of a passion for church growth
The Infinite Game - by Simon Sinek - exploring the consequences of short and long term thinking in business and life
The Human Element: Overcoming the resistance that awaits new ideas - by Loran Nordgren and David Schonthal
After the Ball - by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen
Human Sexuality and the Same-Sex Marriage Debate - by Mark Thompson (Editor)

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