by Deacon Peggy Hahn (she/her), Executive Director of LEAD

In this polarized climate, it is too easy to think, they are wrong, and I am right. We can easily jump to conclusions without all the information. Following popular thinking without thinking is dangerous. I would even go so far as to say, following our thinking patterns from the past is a lazy way to make choices in this day in time. Too much has changed in our world, so beware of:

• Getting on a bandwagon without considering the most vulnerable. The people in power always take care of their peers. It is too easy to act out of our expected cultural or generational bias without really thinking for ourselves.
• Letting our default, automatic reflexes drive our behavior. We can’t afford autopilot right now, even if, or especially when we are tired. Decision fatigue is real, and it is risky. By going down paths of least resistance we are misusing our God-given capacity to bring our whole self to the moment at hand.
• Being sure the way “we were raised” or taught right from wrong is still right or wrong. Urban legends or even religious practices from our past, still run in the background of our hearts and minds. It is up to us to stop this noise and ask new questions, with an openness to new answers. Please don’t be offended by me naming the fact that Jesus’ ministry was often about this very topic – Jesus was quoted in two gospels by saying, “I know you thought it was THIS, but I am here to tell you it is THIS.” (Matthew 5:1-11 and Luke 6:17-36)

While I could be talking about politics, I am talking about how you lead at church.

Many of the traditions that hold us together as a church don’t seem to be all that helpful anymore.  That doesn’t mean the past was wrong, it means there is more than one right way. Making decisions about ministry with a commitment to “now” is a helpful path forward. We stay stuck because it feels easier, but this easy path is a downhill spiral.

Next week I will offer three examples that call us to rethink our decisions. I hope this opens up space for us to see how our past thinking might be hurting our future selves. Feel free to add your thoughts to our list by replying to this post.

What do you think we need to rethink? Who should do the thinking? Why?