The tension of being simultaneously closed (differentiated identity) and open (truly welcoming of others)

The following was a forum from a Dmin course. I have it here for future reference and future exploration of the ideas discussed in it.

Question
Friesen (2009) writes about network ecology and comments, “sometimes our faith communities struggle to hold the tension of being simultaneously closed (differentiated identity) and open (truly welcoming of others).” Please address the following:

1. How would you describe your faith community? Open, closed, a combination of both, other?
2. In thinking about networked influence, briefly describe those who influenced/are influencing your faith formation and journey.

Your response should be cogent and concise, no less than 200 words, and edited for typos, spelling, grammar, and style.

My Answer

Friesen (2009) writes,

Ecosystems are differentiated networks. An ecosystem consists of a closed pattern of nodes relating to each other; every ecosystem is a We identity. Through their pattern of relating with each other, the nodes within an ecosystem create a boundary around it. This self-created boundary is important to differentiate one ecosystem from other ecosystems. In a cell this closed boundary is a thin membrane. Inside the membrane we find the DNA and RNA giving the cell its unique identity. In a church, that closed boundary may be its membership rolls; in a car club the boundary might be owning a VW Beetle. A closed system is called an autopoiesis, a rather technical-sounding word that simply means “self-created.” It’s the idea that community has to give some definition as to what it means to belong to a given community…

As your church community opens itself up to encounter those things, people, or resources that are outside of its network, your community moves into a state of nonequilibrium, and nonequilibrium causes change. Equilibrium is the condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced. Nonequilibrium is not simply being out of balance; rather, it is a state in which a system experiences irreversible transformations. When an animal species goes extinct, for example, its ecosystem is thrown into a state of irreversible transformation until a new and different equilibrium emerges…Because most ecosystems regularly encounter foreign things, people, and resources, they function in a state of nonequilibrium. Living ecosystems are not only able to maintain their life process under conditions of nonequilibrium, but they actually thrive in this state.… Thriving life for our communities is the dance of closedness and openness. Of course, this means that our churches and our other networks exist in a constant state of becoming. They are ecosystems in process. Our churches change, respond, and adapt to their morphing culture(s) and context(s). [1]

Our ecosystem/community at the Kenneth Acha Foundation can, unfortunately, be described as significantly open without a strong sense of a We identity in Christ. Even though we are not a church, per se, we are a community of believers that intends to seek and grow spiritually together while serving the poor, preaching the gospel, etc. Over the years, we have led hundreds of people to Christ, I discipled a good number of people, and I have had the privilege to baptize and disciple a few. James 1:27 comes to mind as a verse that inspires us, but so is the great commission and the great commandment. In spite of this, we have had a weakness that in part is created by a leadership weakness on my part and in part by circumstance. We have a high turnover of staff that a coherent thriving culture has not been able to form and propagate well. With leaders on the ground coming and going so without leaving behind others well trained to take their place, it’s only by God’s grace that we have had the impact that we have had so far. This culture and leadership flaw is something I am working with God to seek to correct.

Many people have influenced my faith formation journey throughout the years. Many have been through their courses and books. Lately, my DMin courses at Liberty have truly helped shape and sharpen my views about networks within the body of Christ. Most of my DMin teachers have been very helpful and encourage students to stay in touch and reach out for help in the future while they serve in their ministry contexts. That proffer of help is something I plan to take advantage of. I intend to stay in touch with and consult them for advice when needed in the future. For example, after finishing Dr. Steve Lowe’s course in a previous semester, I have recently been able to communicate with him by email and pick his brains about a hybrid house church I’m praying about starting that will rely on digital delivery of sermons but supplement that with frequent (weekly or bi-monthly) embodied gatherings for the Lord’s Supper and fellowship. His advice, considering his expertise in spiritual formation in a digital ecosystem, was priceless.

Bibliography

Friesen, Dwight J. Thy Kingdom Connected (ēmersion: Emergent Village resources for communities of faith): What the Church Can Learn from Facebook, the Internet, and Other Networks. Ada: Baker Books, 2009.