Transforming the system

Transforming the system from was the third in a series of community frameworks' talks.

1. Be committed to transformation

• Romans says "do not conform..." but it also says, "be subject to authorities". One practical way to read this contrast is to compromise as much as you can, without compromising on your commitment to transformation.

2. Prepare for engagement

• Find a sponsor higher in the system than you. Jesus had Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, life would've been a lot trickier otherwise.
• Join a movement, don’t go off and start your own thing unnecessarily - Jesus joined John the Baptist’s movement. i.e. Work with the people already there.
• Get a couple of supporters - Jesus had Timothy, Titus, disciples etc. People to go on the journey with, to form community with.

3. Long term strategy

• Transform the system by transforming hierarchy to mutual relationship, one at a time.

4. Short term strategy

• The space for change is at the edge of the system. Jesus forbids us from moving up the system - “don’t take the head of the table”.  ie. working up the hierarchy to get more influence, only reinforces the system.
• Experiment on the edge, when an opportunity arises, integrate back in but be prepared to wait a long, long time!
• Waiters' opportunity came when the Rector was going on sabbatical and needed someone to take the Sunday evening service. Due to relationships built up, there was enough trust to let them take the service while negotiating to do it in a very different way (breaking all but a couple of critical Anglican rules).

5. Pain of change

• Be prepared to return good for evil.
• There’s no pain free change (try being kicked out of 12 organisations!)
• People don’t change until the pain of change is less than the pain of staying the same.