Autopoiesis

Autopoiesis is a word derived from the Greek and means "auto" - self and "poiesis" - creation. It is the fundamental process for creating and renewing self, for growth and change. Living systems do not self create in isolation however. They must be in constant communication with their environment. Information must flow freely to and from the system as well as within the system.

A healthy system will reorganize itself to deal with the new information. They are adaptive and resilient, rather than rigid and unchanging. A healthy organization will cope with new information; they will actively seek it, because this information tells the system how it might need to change in order to survive and grow.

The system processes the information based upon her identity. Identity is derived from a clear mission statement that communicates who they are and why they exist: the values, shared beliefs and desires, and state the objectives of the organization. From this she will determine what does and does not belong in the system. Change will promote stability in a system that has a clear identity and will enable her to develop in the way of her own choosing.

It is the leader's role to structure conversation to bring forth the information that will raise the intelligence of the organization. We must be willing to look beyond the obvious for information. We must converse with the Sunday school student and the home bound-not only people who serve on a board or committee. We must interview local owners of business,those who live in our neighborhoods and walk on our streets. We must ask the opinion of the local school board members and city fathers, check the activity calendar for city and school sporting activities as well as the local demographics. Congregations grow in intelligence by exercising unbridled curiosity and working with the information she receives.

(The above material is from "If This is How the World Works" by Avery & Gaede, pages 25-35)

What are your thoughts on how we can better gather information from our environment to filter through out vision, mission and objectives?

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Communication

Communication is the lifeline of relationship. Without effective communication organizations like WHFC fail to thrive (maybe even survive). Do you agree?

I have been reading "Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World" by Margaret Wheatley. She writes,
"for any system to remain alive information must continually be generated. If there is nothing new, or the information merely confirms what already is, then the result will be death. Closed systems wind down and decay ... the source of life is new information - novelty - ordered into new structures. We need to have new information coursing through our systems, disturbing the peace, imbuing everything it touches with the possibility of new life. We need therefore, to develop new approaches to communication - not for management but encouragement, not control but genesis." (pg. 95ff)

In the church setting, communication is the difference that makes a difference because it is that which changes us (Stafford Beers). Communication is not a "thing we can get our hands around, move from place to place, and expect to remain unchanged but is a continuous process which only endures over time if it remains in process of evolution" (Wheatley, pg. 97).

How can we improve the system of communication at WHFC?
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Adrian