In his book, Insurrection, Peter Rollins addresses the concept of changing the system by acting independently of it. My friend, Kevin Shinn, addressed a similar approach in relation to the Occupy Movement. The movement can be difficult to get a handle on. Yet, I believed he nailed it by identifying the issue as a spiritual problem; greed. The solution is also a spiritual thing; generosity.
Systems defy change. I have spent many years of my life trying to change a couple of systems from within, and have the scars to show for my effort. That approach is always very messy and requires a long term commitment. Along the way, the change agent will be misrepresented and misunderstood and people within the system will feel threatened on some level.
I have come to see more and more virtue in acting independently of the system. There is so much more freedom with this type of approach.
Too many governments are out of touch. Too many churches don’t look much like Jesus. The safety net is unraveling. Customer service is an oxymoron. I could go on and on. The point is our culture seems to be reaching the tipping point, making it the right time for visionaries to become entrepreneurs and offer their alternatives.
So, my encouragement to myself and whoever happens to read this is to move past the complaining and progress into the next step; creating. Don’t keep banging your head against the same wall. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t postpone action until you have every detail mastered, because you need to be more flexible, creative, and collaborative than you can currently foresee. Let your anger and frustration move you into the realm of the better way and then get started!
I am working toward launching a lab or incubator for visionaries that offers reassurance, community, insight, networking, and consultation for people who are convinced we can and must to better. It will be entertaining, enlightening, and I hope, very helpful in helping some folks move ahead with their dreams.
Look for it all to begin right here in January 2012.
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I have this feeling I am getting closer to something exiting. I have been in a numbing situation through an institution/organization I’ve been in for close to 10 years, but thank God I managed out a couple of months ago. I will be on the lookout for what this promises.
Keep up the good work.
Shalom,
Patrick
Patrick – This sounds like it is an important step in your journey. May you find it it “worth it all” and keep moving forward.