Reflections on the 11 Step Process
11/06/03

If you have recently perused The Jesus Connection website (www.thejesusconnection.com) you might have noticed that we have begun cross-referencing our Reflections with the 11 steps of the process we encourage congregations to use for spiritual and structural transformation.  In the following weeks our Reflections will focus on some of the steps we have not specifically addressed before so that we will cross-reference every step with at least one Reflection that can provide commentary and amplification. 
            I think it is important to remember that the steps are not necessarily sequential.  We do feel that at some time a congregation needs to break with its status quo by committing to a sabbatical year which includes an emphasis on spiritual growth.  That is the sign that a congregation is ready to intentionally  seek spiritual and structural transformation using the process that we promote.  But many of the steps can be begun before the congregation has even heard of The Jesus Connection. 
           As pastors we know that there are a lot of things that distract our congregations that are non-core to their mission.  We know that part of deciding what is core means deciding what is not. We know that as leaders in any organization that we cannot afford to be tyrannized by the minority.  We know that there is too much worship and preaching that is light entertainment rather than spiritually nurturing, and we can decide to deepen our commitment to spirit-filled proclamation.  And I think as we walk through the steps again we can see many ways that we can claim these steps as leaders and begin the process wherever our congregations may be as they discover their way to transformation.
You can also help all of us involved with The Jesus Connection process by reviewing the steps and letting us know the specific questions you would like us to address in our Reflections on the 11 steps.  You can send specific questions to me at 1sturev@brainerd.net and I'll pass them on to our writers so that they can be answered in the weeks ahead.
           Looking at a list of 11 steps can be intimidating, but if we break them down and reflect on how many can be done concurrently as part of the on-going work of transformation. We can find them to be burdens that are light, and yokes that are easy.
            - Loren Olson - First United Church, Little Falls, MN