Cultural Architecture
If you look over there in the left-hand column on this blog, you'll see my smiling mug with the phrase "Cultural Architect, Coram Deo Church" underneath. I have taken a lot of crap for this title. My brother left me a voice mail asking if I did 'cultural architecture consulting.' Some not-so-friendly critics of Coram Deo suggested that in a truth-compromising sellout to postmodernistic cultural relevance, I had given up on the title "pastor."
Au contraire. The culture of a community IS the most important reality about it. Think about the places you have worked, or the schools you've attended: they have a defining culture. Business consultant James Alexander says, "The culture becomes highly ingrained to the point of becoming invisible to the members of the organization. That is why it is so difficult for group members to talk about their culture, because it operates at a level blow our normal consciousness." Commenting on the culture within a church, John Burke writes, "That intangible 'feel' [of a church] is the culture. [T]hough it may be imperceptible to regular members... the culture makes all the difference in the world in a post-Christian society."
No matter what we preach, teach, say, or do, it's our communal culture that defines us as a church. The task of a leader is to create a certain culture - one that reflects the values of the Kingdom and the heart of Jesus. That's my task. And that's the task of all of us who make up the core of Coram Deo. We are culture-shapers.
So yes, I am pastor. I am a shepherd. I am a servant of Jesus. And because I am those things, I am a cultural architect.
'Nuff said. Boo-yah to the naysayers.
Au contraire. The culture of a community IS the most important reality about it. Think about the places you have worked, or the schools you've attended: they have a defining culture. Business consultant James Alexander says, "The culture becomes highly ingrained to the point of becoming invisible to the members of the organization. That is why it is so difficult for group members to talk about their culture, because it operates at a level blow our normal consciousness." Commenting on the culture within a church, John Burke writes, "That intangible 'feel' [of a church] is the culture. [T]hough it may be imperceptible to regular members... the culture makes all the difference in the world in a post-Christian society."
No matter what we preach, teach, say, or do, it's our communal culture that defines us as a church. The task of a leader is to create a certain culture - one that reflects the values of the Kingdom and the heart of Jesus. That's my task. And that's the task of all of us who make up the core of Coram Deo. We are culture-shapers.
So yes, I am pastor. I am a shepherd. I am a servant of Jesus. And because I am those things, I am a cultural architect.
'Nuff said. Boo-yah to the naysayers.
posted by Bob | 2:39 PM
4 Comments:
"Why couldn't you say architect, Jerry? You know I always wanted to pretend to be an architect" - Art Vandalay
Boo-yah?
Incredible, and awesome. That gets the Freem Stamp of Approval.
Will, you could be a marine biologist. I hear there's a beached whale nearby with a golf ball stuck in it's blow-hole!
hahaha
It is extremely intimidating for a 50+ y.o. to try out this blogger thing. But we older types need to get on board here and add some of our comments to the mix. So I'm going to give this a try.
Bob, I don't care what you call yourself as long as you continue to
"preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season and out of season, plainly, not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power..." The answer to Q.159 WLC 1648 is true of the cultural architect of Coram Deo 2006! Thanking the Lord....
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