… without a clear, diagnostic understanding of the four systemic problems, no strategy can hope to overcome …

Four systemic problems arise as the local church and the Illinois Great Rivers Conference attempt to fulfill the great purpose of disciple-making outlined in the Book of Discipline and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. These four problems in the ministry context represent a homeostasis to which the system unerringly returns when anxiety is present. The greater the support of a system for change, the more likely the proposed change will only reinforce the current homeostasis and bring no significant change. It is the nature of systems to resist change; without a clear, diagnostic understanding of the four systemic problems, no strategy can hope to overcome the current homeostasis.

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QUOTE [1]

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DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS

RESOURCES

[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.

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All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.