Stan
Davis suggests the concept of holographic organization in his book, Future
Perfect. His idea originates with a unique property of
holograms: any fragment of the hologram can regenerate the entire image.
A business man, he asks: Can
it also be said with equal possibility that the entire corporation
resides in each of its products, and in each of its services?
I
thought of congregations as I read his words. I found myself reflecting
on each person in a congregation reflecting the whole as shards of a
hologram would reflect the whole. In some U.U. literature that whole
is referred to as the burning
coal around which the congregation gathers. It’s an exciting
thought—each member of a congregation reflecting the congregation’s burning coal as a piece of a hologram would.
Davis
writes: Useful
mission statements give purpose to what team members presently do, as
well as what they will be doing in the future.... Vision answers the
question, ‘Where are we
going?’ Mission supplies the motivation, answering the
question, ‘Why are we going there?’
I
wonder:
Why do we do what we do? What is our burning
coal?
In
the forum I lead last month, the group worked on creating a new mission
statement for this Unitarian Universalist church in Jackson, MS. Their
efforts are below. My hope is that you too will begin composing and get
your efforts to me as we all contemplate together UUCJ’s burning coal, its reason for being, why we do what we do? Here
are the first efforts:
A
church of progressive faith, we
Embrace
diversity, give voice to religious tolerance
And
bring hope and freedom to the greater community.
As
a beacon illuminates, so does our inclusive community
Strive
to illuminate the individual journey toward spiritual enlightenment.
Our
members unite to work for repair.
Our
diversity invigorates our approach
Our
faith backgrounds nourish respect
Our
two rings represent joined resources
Our
chalice combines two archetypes—a drinking vessel
and a flame —
and
as a religious symbol has different meanings to different beholders.
Your
presence is welcome!
Consensus
through individual and collectively inclusive spiritual
interaction....
(Our
congregation is) a community of diverse individuals living and sharing
these common principles: respect for the inherent worth and dignity of
all people; justice, equity and compassion; spiritual growth and a free
and responsible search for truth; world community with peace, liberty
and justice for all; respect for the interdependent web of all
existence.
We
attempt to be a beacon of progressive religion in our community, a
church which by its actions lives its principles.
I
plan to make the anonymous efforts visible for your contemplation and
your vote.
Jacqueline
