More and more I find it helpful to recognize the difference between a sense of urgency and a sense of desperation. When working with faith communities that are stuck in decline patterns, leaders will assure me that they have a sense of urgency -- the motivation necessary to try on new behaviors and new relationships with the "other" in their community.
I reality, what I discover is a sense of desperation, as in, "O God, what are we going to do -- our church is dying!"
The difference between the two is incredibly important. Desperation stifles creativity and the capacity to listen deeply for the future that is longing to emerge in that moment. Urgency is the shot of courage necessary to take action and learn from the outcomes. Desperation is often borne out of a sense of institutional narcissism that believes that it really IS all about us!
I guess the difference between the two might be compared to the difference between "betting the farm" and losing the farm to foreclosure. Can you feel it?
I say, "Let's bet the farm that the Spirit has been waiting all along for us to partner with Her -- with the sense of urgency that is at the core of our Judeo-Christian prophetic traditions."
Foreclosure will be the only option left if we choose not to "bet the farm" and NOW!
