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a word from our District Superintendent
From the District Superintendent
by The Rev. David M. Underwood
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Rabbi Edwin Friedman was writing a book when he died entitled, A Failure of Nerve, Leadership into the 21st Century. The book has been completed by colleagues and the edition out now is more complete than the first one. I have referred this book on a number of occasions and in response I have been asked what it is about. I suppose the quick and easy response is to; “have courage to face the fears of your reality.” Because I suppose sometimes that might be like “crossing the unknown.” But that is too simple and I probably should write just a little more.
Rabbi Friedman was a student of Bowen Theory. Murray Bowen was the psychiatrist known as the “Father of Family Therapy.” Rabbi Friedman took the theory and applied it to religious (and other) organizations. He is perhaps best known for his book Generation to Generation which I think is a must read for any systems thinker….but I digress.
To summarize part of the other book (A Failure of Nerve) even more completely is to hear Rabbi Friedman talk about geography and how the early pioneers coming to the New World sought the most expedient route to the near east. The pioneers knew the riches there and were in such a hurry to find the Northwest Passage that would lead them to the near east, they did not see the riches under their own feet.
A failure of nerve will use the “grass is always greener” approach to faith when the value of what a person really believes is right under their own feet, or in their own soul. The failure of nerve causes people to want to move on, point fingers of blame, look for the easy way to the riches of faith. A failure of nerve finds people building a faith of convenience rather than a faith of commitment.
Perhaps the real failure of nerve comes when any of us finds the Gospel an embarrassment to share when the opportunity to share the riches of our own faith arises. And so to find the nerve, I think disciples of Jesus Christ are called to not float aimlessly about trying to find the easy way to the riches of faith, but to be bold enough look around and find, and live into the riches of faith where you are. It may still be a journey, but to focus on life with Christ where you are makes one wealthy… that’s what I think.
Peace,
David
District Calendar
September
28 - A Service of Welcoming for Bishop Marcus Matthews at Asbury United Methodist Church, Rochester (All Clergy are invited to Robe, Red Stole)
19-21 - 62nd Annual Men's Gathering 2008 at Casowasco
Created on 02/04/2003 10:24 AM by install
Updated on 08/18/2008 11:04 AM by Kathy
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| District Office |
17 W. Genesee St.
PO Box 505
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Phone: (315) 635-4873
FAX: (315) 635-5005
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