group dynamics | MINISTRY FROM TWO POLES

Posts Tagged ‘group dynamics

Feb

Swimming Upstream – an Autobiography (Part 3)

Categories: Personal Stories
Tags: Christian, Church, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Ethics, Faith, group dynamics, history, inclusive, memories, reconciliation, reflections, Theology, writing

“I remember picking up my sharpest tool, a drawknife, and resolutely deciding I wasn’t going into that hole. I was ready to die.” Continued from: Learning to Live. Or go to INDEX.

LEARNING TO THRIVE

The rest of the memory seems more like the recollection of a hallucination, except with much more clarity. I remember, with no sense of time, being aware of all of the times I had hurt others, even in the smallest way. I was fully aware of all my sins, a concept with which I was totally unfamiliar. I had an overwhelming sense of sorrow and remorse while, at the same time, experienced the peace, calm and security of knowing I was all right. I knew, for the first time in my life, the feeling that came with a sense of forgiveness. It seemed as though the thickest, softest comforter imaginable had swallowed me. Accepting that unconditional forgiveness has continued to be a difficulty. Continue reading ‘Swimming Upstream – an Autobiography (Part 3)’

Feb

Oooh! You’re Bipolar?

By Rev Andy Little 11 Comments

Categories: Ethics and Personal Stories
Tags: bias, Church, Ethics, Faith, group dynamics, IMAGE OF GOD, oppression, reconciliation, reflections

THE INTRICACIES OF “COMING OUT” TO A CHURCH

Thomas Covenant walks down the street feeling the stares and witnessing mothers grabbing their children before he passes by. Is he a child abuser? A criminal of another sort? Perhaps, evil incarnate? Thomas is the lead character in Stephen R. Donaldson’s series, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, and he is a twentieth century leper. When I read the series many years ago I remember thinking, “People don’t react that way anymore. The world is not that archaic.” But, perhaps it is. Have we learned nothing from the Bible lessons about lepers?

The reaction to all kinds of emotional disorders and mental disesases can be interesting, especially in my line of work. While you would think that church folk would investigate before coming to conclusions, that is really a quite rare occurance – church folk are no less prone to believing myths than any other groups. I have found this out firsthand recently. I announced to my Committee on Ministry and my church that I had been diagnosed with Bipolar II disease and, after twenty years of misdiagnoses, I am now on a much lower regimen of pills than I previously took for depression. The reaction has been – well, shall we say, interesting. Continue reading ‘Oooh! You’re Bipolar?’

Feb

Testing the Waters on a Virtual Church

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Ethics, Faith, Feminist theology, GLBT issues, God, group dynamics, Holy Spirit, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, PC(USA), Progressive, Theology

In another post, I described my ongoing interest in a virtual church – not simply a digital reporduction of a physical church or a place to pick and choose prayers and sermons, but a real and actual church meeting at predetermined (oops, there’s that Presbyterian word) time.

I envision a church gathering in cyberspace for communal worship and praise, as well as having a physical presence in each of the towns, cities and countries in which the “members” live. A church that enlivens mission, both individually and collectively, and promotes the notion of the “priesthood of all believers” actively engaged in the physical world as well as the cyber-sphere. It would be a church which has the same range of theological perspectives as any “real-world” church, but would have a space in which, unlike most churches today, those differences can be discussed respectfully and reverently. Continue reading ‘Testing the Waters on a Virtual Church’

Feb

Growing Beyond Numbers – a continuing project

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Economic Theology, Ethics, Feminist theology and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Equity, Ethics, Faith, God, group dynamics, history, Holy Spirit, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, oppression, Progressive, reconciliation, Theology

This is a project I was involved with several years ago, while in seminary. I have threatened numerous times to revisit this and continue to work at the basic premise. It was good, just not complete. If you feel inclined to help, I would appreciate any suggestions. I will no doubt make sure that the revisions can be seen apart from the original, which is owned collectively by all the authors. Each gave their permission years ago to work with this, as long as attribution was given.

Be prepared: This is a small book. It is, at least I think, interesting and challenging – especially for churches in flux and those trying to redefine their identity – but it is not a quick read.

Continue reading ‘Growing Beyond Numbers – a continuing project’

Feb

Power Flower – a Tool Against Tyranny

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, Feminist theology, GLBT & Queer Theology and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, conflict resolution, Ethics, group dynamics, history, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Kingdom of God, marriage equality, oppression, Progressive, Theology

I am posting this on both my blogs, because it is important (I think). It sets a stage for meaningful discussion about power and privilege. These are excerpts from the full article at my other blog.

Privilege is one of those very strange things. Those who lack it generally recognize it as either something to envy or something to despise. Those who know they have it and are inclined to have more, manipulate it to their own advantage. Then there is the great, largely clueless majority who, if asked, will tell you they don’t have privilege – they are just as downtrodden as women, people of color, GLBT or whatever other group they may name. Sometimes I think that the invisible unflective privilege is the most heinous and insidious.

…

It is important to keep in mind that, just because a constitutional amendment is passed by popular vote, the amendment is not necessarily constitutional. Determining consistency with the overriding provisions of the constitution falls on the backs of the courts, which makes it a highly contentious and potentially unpopular part of the US system of justice. You might say that, when the courts get the most heat from the public, they may have come the closest to doing what they were created to do.

Feb

Marx on Religion & its Role in Oppression (Part 3)

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Economic Theology and Ethics
Tags: Capital, Church, conflict resolution, Economy, Equity, Ethics, group dynamics, history, oppression, society, Theology

Moving Towards the Reality of Empowered People …

Marx conceived of a day when the disenfranchised proletariat would rebel against the powerful gentry and communalize all real holdings. The intermediate step would require a socialist structure, before the final step to communism would be possible. The leaders of this nation would be accountable to the proletariat, operating purely in the collective best interest of the larger community and the resulting government would be very democratic. In the instances where Marxism has been exercised to any degree, virtually the opposite has occurred. In the end, a new bourgeoisie developed – an elite group of politically minded people living in stark contrast to the general populace – that was more oppressive than that which it replaced. Productivity in countries without private ownership decreased rather than increased. The result was squalor, hunger, poverty and disillusionment – the very conditions Marx wished to overcome. Continue reading ‘Marx on Religion & its Role in Oppression (Part 3)’

Jan

Any Ideas on Giving Away a Church?

By Rev Andy Little 3 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Church, Ethics, group dynamics, inclusive, PC(USA), society, Theology, writing

I’ll probably need to unpack that title a little. I was hired, as the minister, to give away the church I serve. It’s not that the congregation doesn’t want it anymore – it’s that they’ve gotten quite small in number – small enough, in fact, that “common” sense would ordinarily dictate closing down and moving in with another church. There’s only basic problem with that – this is the only church found within the community and it’s located close to the center of this particular neighborhood in Schenectady. So, I have been charged with inviting in a whole new congregation who would adopt the church as their own and, in the process be adopted by the current members as heirs of the church. The basic scenario looks like this: Continue reading ‘Any Ideas on Giving Away a Church?’

Jan

Scapegoating & Spiritual Abuse in Churches (Part 3)

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Ethics, Justice & Mercy and Liberation theology
Tags: biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Ethics, group dynamics, IMAGE OF GOD, Kingdom of God, oppression, PC(USA), Theology

Continued from here. Go to Table of Contents

Pastoral care in spiritual abuse

Most of the authors, again, describe two distinct groups – those that abuse and those that are abused. While the majority discuss pastoral or secular care for the victims, little is said about the perpetrators of spiritual abuse. Arterburn and Felton, however, seemed to acknowledge the brokenness and victimization of all the participants by providing a short section, after each description, labeled “Hope for the …”. While differences can be distinguished with regard to aggression, intentionality and, to some extent morality, each of the players who stay in an errant or sick religious environment, without trying to change it, can be viewed as victims in need of recovery and redemption. Care should be taken, however, to avoid excusing aberrant behavior, since that can lead to freeing the victimizers from the obligation or duty to recognize and change their abusive patterns.

Continue reading ‘Scapegoating & Spiritual Abuse in Churches (Part 3)’

Jan

Scapegoating & Spiritual Abuse in Churches (Part 2)

By Rev Andy Little 3 Comments

Categories: Ethics, Justice & Mercy and Liberation theology
Tags: biblical authority, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Ethics, group dynamics, oppression, PC(USA), Theology

Continued from here Go to Table of Contents

The others players in the ‘game’ of spiritual abuse

Most of the authors researched consider the remaining players to be persons addicted to a toxic or sick religious system, generally assuming that healthy members would be aware of the problems and leave to find a more nurturing environment. While not all are directly involved in the abusive behavior, all people remaining within the system and choosing not to seek change are, to varying extents, complicit in the illness of the church. Various terms were used to name these people – victims, religious addicts and scapegoats being the most common.

Continue reading ‘Scapegoating & Spiritual Abuse in Churches (Part 2)’

Jan

A Guide to Understanding Gays

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: bias, conflict resolution, Ethics, GLBT issues, group dynamics, homophobia, inclusive

This isn’t original to me, either. I just don’t know who to credit.

A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING GAYS
(prepared for heterosexuals, or neanderthals – you pick) Continue reading ‘A Guide to Understanding Gays’

Jan

Just for Fun …

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: biblical authority, conflict resolution, Ethics, group dynamics, PC(USA), Theology

… and not original … and certainly not new.

How many Christians or other sects does it take to change a light bulb? Continue reading ‘Just for Fun …’

Jan

Authoring vs. Writing vs. Posting

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: conflict resolution, Equity, Ethics, group dynamics, inclusive, society, writing

As we have entered the blogosphere, new vistas have been realized for Rev Jenna Zirbel, my wife, and me. On one hand, new opportunities for getting our writings out in public have become obvious. On the other, new considerations of personal and ethical conduct have reared their heads. For this post, the subjects are (i) the difference between authoring, writing and posting written materials, and (ii) the issue of attribution, being the way you show who really contributed to the article. Continue reading ‘Authoring vs. Writing vs. Posting’

Jan

God as Mother – lost in later tradition (Pt 2)

By Rev Andy Little 4 Comments

Categories: Ethics, Feminist theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, Equity, Faith, Feminist theology, group dynamics, history, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Jesus, Liberation theology, oppression, society

Continued from: God as Mother – more traditional than you might think. Or go to Table of Contents

WHAT DID JESUS DO?

The most common reason given for calling God “God the Father”, “Father God” or “Father” is that Jesus did, and told us to do so as well. That is true, of course, only when you read a translation of the New Testament in something other than Greek. Greek had some interesting abnormalities that affect translation – unusual facets that were easy to miss, or to ignore, depending on your perspectives or intentions. Continue reading ‘God as Mother – lost in later tradition (Pt 2)’

Jan

G-6.0106b Commentary

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: bias, conflict resolution, Faith, group dynamics, oppression, PC(USA)

In an article questioning whether now is the time to consider replacing G-6.0106b, Barbara G. Wheeler wrote:

I still think that G-6.0106b must be removed. It is a blot on the Constitution. It was tortuously worded to create the appearance of fairness — the same standard for gay and straight officers — as cover for its discriminatory intent, the exclusion of gays and lesbians. It promotes misuse of the church’s great confessions of faith as catalogs of sins. Continue reading ‘G-6.0106b Commentary’

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That's too bad - I'm so sorry. Oh, well, just try to make the best of it. What you'll find here is a variety of essays and ramblings to do with things theological, social, whimsical and, sometimes, all three. I don't write to get famous - trust me, I've been told how futile that would be - but to express myself. I love to communicate and browbeat - ummm, I mean dialogue - about the things I find intriguing. Since you're here, and the door's locked, why don't you stay a while. There's a page bar under the header with links to information about us - I mean me. Don't forget to tell me what you think - in a nice way, I mean.