The Power of Unreasonable People

"Being unreasonable is not just a state of mind.  It is also a process by which older, outdated forms of reasoning are jettisoned, and new ones conceived and evolved."  

The Power of Unreasonable People (Loc. 177)

Power can be used to do great good or wreck havoc and destruction. Each of us is responsible for what we do with the power entrusted to us.  To be sure, there has been widespread abuse of power in the church and there has also been the failure to rightly use power in response to evil.  But still, there remains potential for great good.  Gifts and strengths come with a responsibility to make a difference, to breath new life into people and communities.  The Power of Unreasonable People shares stories of social and environmental entrepreneurs who have provided the catalytic energy and vision to make transformation real.

What sets these entrepreneurs apart from their counterparts is their "unreasonableness," which includes:

• Their desire to change the system: "They spot dysfunction in the current system, and unlike reasonable people who accommodate themselves to the status quo, they try to work out how to transition the system's equilibrium to a different and more functional state" (Loc. 336).  
• They are insanely ambitious, but not for themselves, for the greater goal;
• They are propelled by emotion and use the energy born of emotion to accomplish what others believe to be impossible;
• They think they know the future: "They know the best way to predict the future is to create it and the best way to build momentum-and attract funding and other resources-is to develop and communicate a clear vision of how things might be different" (Loc. 368).
• They seek profit in unprofitable pursuits (example: the Grameeen Bank who has helped seven million people; 97% of whom are women).

Their focus is on investment, not charity.  This is an important lesson for the church as charity gets in the way of empowerment.  Investment, by contrast, seeks to create the context whereby individuals are equipped and empowered to grow and take responsibility for their contribution to the whole.    For this reason, these entrepreneurs seek to measure the un-measurable, demanding return on a triple bottom line as they seek a deep social return on investment.  They do so through three models in particular: leveraged non-profit, hybrid non-profit, and social business. 

Many would say that these entrepreneurs are unqualified for the work they do; they would argue that this is precisely their strength.  They know they can't do it alone and depend upon the full giftedness of the community.  Hope comes alive when the power of unreasonable people is unleashed.  Strengths, a commitment to lifelong learning, risk taking combine to make possible a new heaven and a new earth.  Being unreasonable is at the heart of the gospel call.

This new year, may we dare to be just a little bit unreasonable for the sake of kingdom of God!

 

Debbie Rundlett

General Presbyter 

Holy Habit: Taking the Journey

Transformation involves body, mind and soul... the whole person in service to the good of the whole.  Full potential-be it of individual or community-can only be realized through the intersection of passion, strengths, and the resources of the community.  Yet, with the best of intentions, we have too often over-focused on the gaps and the deficits within both individual and system.

As Peter Drucker reminds us, the challenge before us is to develop our strengths in such a way that our weaknesses become irrelevant.  Community-based transformation is never easy.  It involves courage, risk and sacrifice.  But the promise of a "new heaven and new earth" is not just words; it is power.  The church has within itself the power to embody this vision. 

Confirmation of this movement toward the positive core can be found in the serendipitous grace of diverse disciplines converging upon the same truth: We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14).  The heart of our call is to claim our strengths and name our passions in such a way that we might serve with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.  In the words of early church father, Gregory of Nyssa: "Sin happens whenever we stop growing."   May we never stop growing toward our potential to do good through the engagement of our strengths in partnership with others for the sake of the world.

Mark your calendar-if it is not already marked-and plan to join us for The Journey.  

• Date: Saturday, January 11, 2014
• Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (Registration begins at 8:30 am)
• Location: Faith Christian Church, 2012 Pleasant Valley Road NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.
• Cost: $10 for lunch and materials

Registrations due to Candice via email or (330-339-5515) as soon as possible!

2014 Updated Terms of Call Forms

Can Now Be Submitted!

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact Candice at the Mission Center by calling 330-339-5515 or emailing at Candice@MVPJourney.org.

From Candice McMath

2014 Mission Yearbooks Have Arrived!

For those who have pre-ordered Mission Yearbooks, they have arrived at the Mission Center! You may pick them up at your earliest convenience.  Due to the holidays, the Mission Center is operating on reduced hours.  Please call or email prior to driving to New Phila to make sure we are here so you can pick up your yearbooks.

If you did not pre-order a 2014 Mission Yearbook and would like one, we did order extra.  They will be available here at the Mission Center and also will be brought to upcoming events, and you can purchase them at the door.  The cost is $15.

From Rev. Robin Swinsburg

Choir Robes Available

Free for the cost of shipping.  60 choir robes (blue)  Only a couple of years old and only worn one year.  

If you are interested, please contact The Rev. Robin Swinsburg at 941-748-2848

From Massillon Central Presbyterian Church

Seeking an Organist

Central Presbyterian Church of Massillon has an immediate opening for a quarter-time organist and accompanist. Instruments are a 2002 Allen Renaissance 80-stop, 3-manual digital organ with MIDI and a Steinway six-foot grand piano.  The individual filling the position will be responsible for one Sunday morning worship service, weekly rehearsal (September-May) with a twenty-five voice chancel choir, special liturgical services, weddings, and in-church funeral services.  

Position reports to the Director of Music Ministries. Compensation will be negotiated and based upon commensurate experience.  A full position description is available upon request. 

Interested persons are asked to contact Larry Lalama at 330-832-7455 or cpcp@sssnet.com.

From Lynn Thompson Bryant 

Orwell North Presbyterian Church Seeking a Pastor

The Orwell North Presbyterian Church, a spirit filled, "country" church, is looking for a full-time covenant pastor.  Our church is located in the Village of Orwell in southern Ashtabula County Ohio.  The church was established in 1831.  It has a membership of 110 members.  

We are looking for a pastor who reflects God's abiding love and the peace and joy that following Him brings.  If you feel that our church would be a good fit for you please contact us with your information and we will provide our pastoral information form in its entirety.  We look forward with great anticipation and joy to meeting the new pastor God has chosen for our church.  

Orwell North Presbyterian Church

135 N. Maple Ave.

Orwell, OH  44076

(440) 437-6677

From Mary Ann Borland, FPC Minerva

Craft Supplies Available

For anyone that accepts greeting cards to be

From Jerry Norton, Christ Church

1990 Hymnals available

Due to a recent upgrade, the 1990 version of the hymnals previous used at Christ Church are available for churches in need. 

• Regular Hymnals (with music):         470
• Large Print Hymnals (words only):    120

All the hymnals are in good condition, as Christ Church got them in 1999, so they have only been used for 14 years.  They are boxed and available to ship immediately on a first come- first served basis.

Save the Date: May 1, 2014

Re/Entry: Rebuilding Productive Lives, Post-Incarceration

A Policy Coordination and Training Symposium for Professionals

From Alice Phillips, Creston Presbyterian