The story of creation in Genesis 1:1-2:4a affirms two realities of
faith: the reality of God and the reality of chaos. This account of
creation affirms God’s embrace of chaos as God’s identity defines
the reality of chaos. Speaking the days of the week into existence,
God creates a future that is different from the past by ordering the
creative possibility that is present in chaos.
Transformational Christian leaders affirm their faith in the reality of God by embracing the reality of chaos. They realize the identity of their leadership can shape and define creative possibility that is present in chaos.
Rather than embracing chaos, most churches try to avoid, control,
or conquer it. However, transformational Christian leaders understand
the power of this creation story when they encounter chaotic
situations. Rather than attempting to control, destroy, or avoid
chaos, they affirm their faith in the reality of God by embracing the
reality of chaos. Understanding that transformation is the story of
creation being told in the present tense, they realize the identity
of their leadership can shape and define creative possibility that is
present in chaos. Leading a movement of hope into a future that is
different from the past, they influence and order future responses to
present conditions.
In consulting with churches and non-profit organizations, we find
that non-ordered chaos often defines current reality. Rather than
leadership defining and ordering chaos, chaos is more often defining
and ordering leadership. In these situations, the story of that
church or non-profit is not the story of a future that is different
from the past. It is usually the story of organizational life being
defined by a past that is different from the future. Christian
transformational leaders help to order a movement of hope by their
identity and by telling the story of creation in the present tense.
They tell the story of a future that God has already created as they
affirm their faith in the reality of God and the reality of chaos.
How does your church or non-profit respond to chaotic situations?
How do you respond to chaotic situations? Your answer may
very well be the beginning of a story of transformation.
