A Vision for Tomorrow: One Simple Thing
One of the main reasons I am in this doctoral program is because I have a vision for tomorrow. My days of full-time missionary service may be over. I hope not. I have had a vision of coming along side and supporting ministry leaders in our family of churches for a while. Something feels unfinished. Vision for tomorrow keeps me moving forward. I am a firm believer that one simple thing can contribute to great change. Our author this week, Greg Satell writes, “Every effort to create transformational change is, to a certain extent unique, with its own “vision of tomorrow.”[1] This is why I resonated so much with this final book of the semester. I enjoyed the biographical accounts of people who united with others to create change in the world. Connection through a common purpose is attractive. Many of the stories were inspiring, all were instructive.
Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change, by Greg Satell, helped me focus on my vision for tomorrow as I soon pivot to the design phase of my NPO. The author states, “This book is about transformative change and the movements that create it.”[2] Satell identified a simple formula for change: “small groups—loosely connected—but united with a common purpose.” The author claims that anytime an idea goes viral and becomes a cascade it is because these three components are at work.[3] He goes onto define a cascade as a disruption, “A disturbance in one system that eventually ripples through every part of the system, finding vulnerable clusters as it travels.”[4] This gives me hope. This is what our NPO’s are setting out to do. Create ripples of change! I am excited about the potential to create disruptions and therefore encourage cascades of transformational change. The simple idea behind my NPO is to create small groups designed for listening among ministry leaders. Our last two books are gold!
The following statement supports my NPO. Satell writes, “The reality of today’s world is that connection wins and isolation loses.”[5] If this is true for Silicon Valley, big corporations, and social revolutions, then it is certainly true for ministry leaders trying to make a difference in their communities. I experienced the negative impact of isolation in my ministry context as a missionary. Humans don’t thrive in isolation. We long for meaningful connection. Julian Treasure notes in, How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening, that listening promotes intimacy and connection.[6] Greg Satell discussed the importance of internalizing values in such a way that they become second nature.[7] The value of listening and speaking are foundational to my NPO. Establishing and internalizing these shared values are mission critical goals. I whole-heartedly agreed with Satell when he wrote, “Perhaps most important, values are most powerful when they speak to shared human experience.”[8] Ministry leaders need to know they are not alone and that their stories and experiences matter.
Treasure and Satell agree that planning and intentionality are important change agents. Treasure states that, “To create a genuine listening culture takes planning, communication, involvement, commitment, persistence, continual training and accountability.”[9] Satell points out that cascade movements need planning, organization, and discipline.[10] Throughout the book he noted courage, discipline, dignity, and respect as hallmarks of successful wide-scale change. It seems listening to one another, and a keen awareness of social situations are features of impactful change movements. Satell writes, “Successful movements don’t overpower they attract.”[11] Vulnerable spaces in which listening and speaking can take place is what my stakeholders want to develop. No one will ever be forced to participate. A thoughtful, well planned and communicated process, an invitation, and respect are key to creating listening groups.
The six principles for transformational change outlined in this book provide a scaffolding moving forward with my NPO design.[12]
- Identify a keystone change: Discovery. Ministry leaders need someone to listen to them, relationship connections, and time to attend to their overall wellbeing.
- Make a plan: Design workshops and experiences that:
- Build a network of small groups: Experiment with creative new ways to meet for connection among the 28 engaged stakeholders. Get the word out and invite other ministry leaders.
- Indoctrinate genomes of values: Create meaningful experiences that reinforce the value of listening, safe connections, and wellbeing.
- Create platforms for participation, mobilization, and connection: Deliver multiple effective platforms for connection between ministry leaders.
- Survive victory. Let go! Adapt and evolve.
When I first started considering the focus for my NPO, I thought it was probably too simple and not academic enough. I was concerned that I did not have the leadership qualities or the platform to pull it off. I found hope in Satell’s words, “Simple things can sometimes have enormous impacts.”[13] My NPO started out of my own longings to know how to do ministry well nearly 40 years ago. Much of what I have pieced together for myself, the experiences I have had in ministry and counseling, and living life with all its’ triumphs and challenges are all coming together in a small, but hopefully mighty package. Simple things matter. Sometimes, they matter the most! My one simple thing is the gift of listening.
We all have been gifted with a unique vision! What simple thing matters to you? How is that one simple thing creating a unique vision for tomorrow?
P.S. I planned to do an inspectional read but a weekend road trip granted me the luxury of a slow read. I took breaks between chapters to enjoy the beautiful scenery and then discussed what I read with my husband who enjoyed listening to several chapters as I read aloud. It was a lovely way to complete a semester full of amazing books!
[1] Greg Satell, Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change. (New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2019), 178.
[2] Greg Satell, Cascades, 19.
[3] Ibid., 19.
[4] Ibid., 66.
[5] Ibid., 22.
[6] Julian Treasure, How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening. (Coral Gables, FL: Mango Publishing Group, 2017), 38.
[7] Greg Satell, Cascades, 184.
[8] Ibid., 186.
[9] Julian Treasure. How to be Heard, 184.
[10] Greg Satell, Cascades, 21.
[11] Ibid., 229.
[12] Ibid., 230-236.
[13] Ibid., 198.
About the Author
Jenny Dooley
Jenny served as a missionary in Southeast Asia for 28 years. She currently resides in Gig Harbor, Washington, where she works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Spiritual Director in private practice with her husband, Eric. Jenny loves to listen and behold the image of God in others. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family which include 5 amazing adult children, 3 awesome sons-in-law, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and 8 delightful grandchildren.18 responses to “A Vision for Tomorrow: One Simple Thing”
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Jenny,
I love that you were able to apply this to your NPO, I also love that you made connections between Satell and Treasure. I had not thought of them being connected until I read your post. It is an absolute joy working with you and I am grateful for your friendship. Enjoy your trip and your summer, my friend.
Hi Jonita, I thought I responded earlier this morning and then realized we were texting! LOL Thank you for your response. I keep thinking about our cohort as being a cascade with all our different yet interconnected projects ready to transform our communities and the people we care about. So grateful to be on this journey with you and the rest of the cohort. I look forward to watching your unique contribution to creating change in our world unfold!
Two things:
1. I am very interested in the intersection of your NPO to mine regarding “diminishing joy and fulfillment of senior pastors in their ministry calling and/or assignment.”
2. As I read your post, I couldn’t help but think of the final episode of The West Wing. I don’t if you’re a fan – we watch it constantly. Have most of it memorized! In the final episode former-President Jed Bartlet (played by Martin Sheen) has just handed off the presidency to his successor, and he is flying away from Washington DC. He is looking out the window pensively, when he is asked by Abby, his wife: “What are you thinking about?”
His response, before the screen goes to black on the series finale:
“Tomorrow.”
I get choked up remembering that scene, but more so thinking of all that there is still left to do for the Kingdom.
Hi John,
Adam keeps telling me I need to talk to you! I would love to hear what you are discovering. I enjoyed Matt Bloom’s book and research, Flourishing in Ministry.
I have never watched the West Wing…my husband and I need a new show. I will check it out. The scene you described chokes me up too! It describes to perfection how I have felt flying out of countries I was leaving, a vision fulfilled, with the hopes for a new one almost visible. It is emotional! That day comes for all of us in ministry. How are you preparing for the day your ministry makes a shift? What is your vision for tomorrow?
Great post, Jenny. The simple thing that matters to me — at least correlating to Satell’s work — is that network dynamics matter. And I am including them in my NPO research. Two organizations I’ve led or served as a board member operated with some of the dynamics (weak ties, shared mission, different voices, etc.) Satell captured. I also resonated with your wording of “what I’ve pieced together for myself” because my wife and I often use that kind of language as we look back over our career.
Hi Travis,
Thanks for sharing your vision! Networking was kind of a buzz word for me in the 90’s that I kind of didn’t get. Satell’s book has me thinking differently. I think I equated networking with competition or something that didn’t feel quite safe. I liked how Satell brought in the community, integrity and safety pieces to the discussion. Even small groups can be unsafe and disconnected. What does a safe network look like for you?
“Ripples of Change….” I like that, probably because “ripples” feels achievable! It makes me think of this prayer I was given after coming home from a short-term mission. Its attributed to Oscar Romero, but I don’t believe he originated it. A bit long, but maybe you will appreciate it.
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent
enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of
saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an
opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master
builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Have a GREAT summer!
Thank you for sharing that prayer! It’s a keeper.
I love this line, “Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of
saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.” It is a grounding yet hopeful statement. Isn’t it amazing that we get to be a part of God’s work to further His Kingdom even in small ways! Have a wonderful and restful summer!
There’s something really powerful about a vision for the future. You said, “The simple idea behind my NPO is to create small groups designed for listening among ministry leaders.” Granted, I just finished reading her post so the idea is fresh in my memory, but that sounds a lot like what Pam described as Soul Groups. I wonder if her model could be helpful to you? In an Asian context, do you anticipate your stakeholders opening up readily or, if not, how do you plan to encourage them to open up and share deeply?
Hi Kim,
I just saw Pam’s post as well. That is exactly what I plan to do. We practiced a bit last October in person in Malaysia and it went well. I am looking at a few models and want to try out a few different styles next year. I think the level of comfort may be different among the leaders so having a variety of entry points with different levels of risk might be helpful. In general, my stakeholders want the connection and identified this as their need so I am excited! How might you engage or begin a soul group in your context? I wish I had known about this form of connection when I embarked on my missions journey. Soul groups could be very impactful for those serving overseas, especially now with the internet and Zoom communication available. I meet monthly with a missionary on line and hope to do more of that with a small group of women.
Hello Professor Dooley,
I cut and pasted your post for future reference. I too was inspired by Satell’s book and the idea of simplicity as contributing to a cascade of change.
I have to roll up my sleaves in these two months to drill down into my NPO artifact, but I am hoping the simplicity of the Interlinkt Telephone App will jumpstart small and medium sized churches into looking at how they can help refugees settling in their communities.
I have wondered why God placed me in a place where it was demographically white and middle to upper middle-income folk. Perhaps the placement has given me time to look at the wider picture of refugee resettlement.
I do believe that the churches small and large need to step to the proverbial “plate” on refugee resettlement. The broader topic of immigration is something that I hope to address AFTER my Interlinkt – Linking Internationals to their new Homeland – telephone app is Beta tested by next March 9, 2024 (the focus is on refugees)-but I am becoming convinced that it is the cascade effect that will have an impact that happens now to serve the “alien amongst us.”
Once again, I am so grateful that this semester has been filled with cohort teachers.
Shalom…Russ
Thanks for sharing your summer plans! I was thinking of your NPO when I was reading the book. Embracing where we are is part of the plan. I have had to deal with disruptions in MY plan yet see how God is working. If I had returned to Asia in 2020 it is doubtful I would have been in this cohort or program. I too am grateful for great teachers and God’s timing!
Hi,
I believe this makes my EIGHTH required response for
Spring 2023. It is nice that it can settle with you.
I am going to keep the Friday 0800 PST time for just our peer group and add a 0900 PST time for Obsidian, Zotero and other questions/prayers for the group at large. This will fence our peer group time and broaden the opportunity to converse with the rest of the cohort. I don’t expect a great response but plan on doing research on both so that I can at least have youtube video/references for people to explore the possibility of using these programs.
Shalom…Russ
I appreciate you setting all of of that up, Russell! I really enjoy our Friday mornings!
Jenny, I love your vision for tomorrow. I love that you are thinking about a rising generation of missionaries. Where some do their work and then step away and let the next generation ‘handle it’ you continue to use whatever God has given you (experience, intelligence, relationship, resource) to help lift those who have even yet to be called. I’d love to see your project as I care deeply about both a rising generation and missionaries. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you, for the encouragement Tim. Most are national pastors, some serving in other nations, and a few missionaries. Lots of room for growth. I am excited about this project. I look forward to hearing more about your NPO and stakeholders. Have a great summer!
Really good post Jenny. Its funny when I see the word “Indoctrination”, even in this book, I shutter a bit since there is so much baggage around that term today. So many argue about their doctrines and blame others for “indoctrinating” people with views different from their own.
However, I like the emphasis on “values”. You said, “Create meaningful experiences that reinforce the value of listening, safe connections, and wellbeing.” Most people can get behind these. I know I can. This encourages me to think about incorporating specific values to emphasis while designing solutions my NPO.
Great posts! Have a great summer and see you in Oxford!
HI Adam,
I struggled with the word indoctrination in the book too! I almost didn’t use it in my post because of the negative connotations. I take it to mean the development of a value based on a truth that has been internalized and shared for the wellbeing of others. I hope the shared value is that we need safe places to listen and speak so that no on has to feel isolated and alone in their struggles. I look forward to hearing how your NPO is coming along in Oxford! Have a great summer!