This seems to be vision month, unplanned, and I suspect there’s good reason for that. I touch upon it again over at The Rubicon in the Think section. Following is a quote from the post to hopefully spark your interest, sending an impulse to your index finger and impulsively directing it to the link above:
“Whilst there are some visionaries out there, they are few and far between, with those few a bit worrisome to the “kingdom” people because well defined boundaries are being crossed.”
Check out the context and then join me in its concluding prayer, “God Help Us!”
JN
"TO MAKE DEEP CHANGE IN AN ORGANIZATION, WE BEGIN BY MAKING DEEP CHANGE IN OURSELVES!"
Slightly Irregular!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Vision Revisited
There are a lot of posts preceding this one, many of them missed by some of you I’m sure. So I thought a revisit to some of those posts would be in order, accompanied by a contemporary note here and now. In the post below you will note the next chapter in my “work in progress,” Chapter 9: Vision! I invite you to take a read if you haven’t already.
Then reread my Oct. 19, 2007 post on same subject. To whet your appetite the following is a partial quote from that blog:
“Where there is vision, it’s antiquated. Core values are one thing; vision quite another. Booth’s vision took us to where we were. A fresh, new contemporary vision is needed to take us to where we should be, without shedding those core values that inspired the original vision, of course.”
Check it out in context to Booth’s vision – “where we were,” and compare it to where we are now. Dare I suggest that by and large, managers have now replaced visionaries today?
JN
Then reread my Oct. 19, 2007 post on same subject. To whet your appetite the following is a partial quote from that blog:
“Where there is vision, it’s antiquated. Core values are one thing; vision quite another. Booth’s vision took us to where we were. A fresh, new contemporary vision is needed to take us to where we should be, without shedding those core values that inspired the original vision, of course.”
Check it out in context to Booth’s vision – “where we were,” and compare it to where we are now. Dare I suggest that by and large, managers have now replaced visionaries today?
JN
Friday, February 20, 2009
9. Vision!
“START PRACTICING!” (My caption for this caricature drawing of William Booth. Feel free to create your own).
This caricature and caption are introductory to Chapter 9 of my ‘book in progress” over at joenoland.com (scroll down) or it can be found at the Inyesvation blog (format not as good). It begins with a clear danger sign. Check it out.
Having done a bit of traveling throughout TSA world and having been in the Australian Southern Territory recently, I think I can say with confidence that, on many fronts, this is probably the most progressive territory in the Army world. One of those fronts, among the many, is their in-house territorial publication, Onfire, which runs a close second to Priority (USA Eastern). I have to say, “close second,” since the latter was my brainchild. But they had better stay on their toes because others are closing in fast.
Anyway the February 2009 issue had an excellent article, Save the Children, featuring the Chief Secretary and his wife on a recent trip to Mexico. In that article they pay tribute to Colonels Olin and Diane Hogan, whom I also paid tribute to in the February 7 post below. I draw your attention to it, those who have you not yet had the opportunity to read it.
Keep up the good work AUS! Some give the credit to a resurgence of Primitive Salvationism; others call it Progressive Salvationism. I say its Genesis Salvationism. Whatever? It’s working.
JN
Saturday, February 14, 2009
JOE!
I wonder how Joe the Turk would fare within The Salvation Army culture today, or any modern-day, evangelical church culture for that matter? I ask that question and explore some of the ramifications in a post, over at The Rubicon: “Let Freedom Ring: Danger!”
JN
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Good Advice!
On the flight over to Hawaii, I read a very interesting novel, Early Autumn, by Robert B. Parker. While a bit controversial in some aspects, it’s the story of a private detective taking an abused teenager under his wing. In the story, he gives this boy some advice, which I will paraphrase in the following:
“There are no boundaries and that’s scary. Without boundaries, there is no control and that’s even scarier. If you avoid looking over the edge it won’t scare you to death.
Reality is uncertain. Insecure people want certainty; that is, they want to escape reality or control their reality or make it the way they “suppose” it to be. They spend their lives trying to be what they’re “supposed” to be.”
Sounds familiar doesn’t it? It’s a dictum of institutional structure and culture. Read the New Testament and this truism rings forth with even greater clarity. The advice given, liberally paraphrased:
“Don’t get hung up on what you are ‘supposed’ to be or what others ‘suppose’ you to be. Learn to exert your God-given individuality. Become what God supposes you to be.
Isn’t this what Jesus taught his disciples? And they include you and me!
JN
“There are no boundaries and that’s scary. Without boundaries, there is no control and that’s even scarier. If you avoid looking over the edge it won’t scare you to death.
Reality is uncertain. Insecure people want certainty; that is, they want to escape reality or control their reality or make it the way they “suppose” it to be. They spend their lives trying to be what they’re “supposed” to be.”
Sounds familiar doesn’t it? It’s a dictum of institutional structure and culture. Read the New Testament and this truism rings forth with even greater clarity. The advice given, liberally paraphrased:
“Don’t get hung up on what you are ‘supposed’ to be or what others ‘suppose’ you to be. Learn to exert your God-given individuality. Become what God supposes you to be.
Isn’t this what Jesus taught his disciples? And they include you and me!
JN
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Rank!
I’m going to keep this brief because mine will be one of three blogs featured over at The Rubicon tomorrow, Sunday, billed as “Two Colonels and a Commissioner.” Check them out.
Speaking of rank, I expressed myself seriously on the current realities in an earlier post here, “I Had A Dream!” (Scroll down to Dec 2, 2008). Likewise there are some corresponding tongue-in-cheek expressions over at Slightly Irreverent (Same date and title). – Worth a fresh read.
To further underscore my point, it was just announced that a retiring Colonel Territorial Commander is being replaced with a Commissioner. Now I’m not privy to the inner workings and decision-making process these days, but it seems to me that, in this particular instance, the Colonel should have been elevated to Commissioner along with all the others effected by this rank reversion prescription, and for all the right reasons.
None the less, let me take this opportunity and pay tribute to Colonels Olin and Dianne Hogan who have served sacrificially and effectively as Territorial Leaders for Mexico over the past eight years, extending for two additional years under very difficult and trying circumstances. I know because I had the opportunity of visiting them down there.
For them rank is not an issue, but wouldn’t it have been a fitting recognition of their dedicated, extended sacrificial service? Thinking it through further, had the rank system remained flattened as envisioned by John Gowans and a host of others, me included, then I would have had to find some other issue to gripe about here.
By the way, my name is Joe, not Commissioner!
JN
Speaking of rank, I expressed myself seriously on the current realities in an earlier post here, “I Had A Dream!” (Scroll down to Dec 2, 2008). Likewise there are some corresponding tongue-in-cheek expressions over at Slightly Irreverent (Same date and title). – Worth a fresh read.
To further underscore my point, it was just announced that a retiring Colonel Territorial Commander is being replaced with a Commissioner. Now I’m not privy to the inner workings and decision-making process these days, but it seems to me that, in this particular instance, the Colonel should have been elevated to Commissioner along with all the others effected by this rank reversion prescription, and for all the right reasons.
None the less, let me take this opportunity and pay tribute to Colonels Olin and Dianne Hogan who have served sacrificially and effectively as Territorial Leaders for Mexico over the past eight years, extending for two additional years under very difficult and trying circumstances. I know because I had the opportunity of visiting them down there.
For them rank is not an issue, but wouldn’t it have been a fitting recognition of their dedicated, extended sacrificial service? Thinking it through further, had the rank system remained flattened as envisioned by John Gowans and a host of others, me included, then I would have had to find some other issue to gripe about here.
By the way, my name is Joe, not Commissioner!
JN
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
8. Passion!
Where has all the passion gone? There can be no innovation and creativity without the passion. It is the fuel and energy igniting the spirit of every Genesis person. This is the theme of the next Chapter in my “Book in progress.” Click on joenoland.com and scroll down to Chapter 8 or it can be found at my corresponding blog, Inyesvation.
When you look at the photo, tell me what you see in Catherine's eyes. As you read and listen to WB's voice on the recommended YouTube link, begin to feel the passion. Soak it in! Let it percolate. Start tasting it. This passion soaking process is critical and foundational to the makings of a Genesis person.
Ready? Set. Ignite!
JN
When you look at the photo, tell me what you see in Catherine's eyes. As you read and listen to WB's voice on the recommended YouTube link, begin to feel the passion. Soak it in! Let it percolate. Start tasting it. This passion soaking process is critical and foundational to the makings of a Genesis person.
Ready? Set. Ignite!
JN
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Hallowed Ground!
I’ve been negligent about posting over the past week because all of my time and energy has gone into the forming of a film production company – Hallowed Ground Productions – with some savvy film industry Christian brethren – 3 films in the offing: “Pardon My Grace!” (Autism theme), “Elmer’s Glue” (Recovery theme) and “Sanctuary (Salvation theme reaching Tweens/Teens in a subtle but effective way).
These films are purposed to be entertaining, each with moral, ethical and spiritual dimensions reaching out contemporarily to secular and spiritual audiences alike. The filmmakers consider every aspect of production, i.e. funding, set, story, marketing, distribution, add-ons, etc., to be “Hallowed Ground.”
In part, I have been putting a resume together for potential investors, something I have never had to do in the Army as an officer, as we don’t apply and compete for the next appointment, although maybe its not such a bad idea. The exercise is something I would recommend, however, on a personal level, as it helps put everything into its proper perspective, retired or not.
TSA gives us amazing opportunity and a life experience that is often taken for granted. In fact, I was a bit dumbfounded by the depth and breadth of it all as I began piecing mine together from a template found online. I had really never stopped to think about it in its totality, and my experiences are no more, no less than any other career officer, past, present or future, just unique to my particular circumstances. By comparison, many of my contemporaries outside the Army have led boring and less productive lives.
In the meantime, I’ve posted the resume over at joenoland.com (Creators Page, scroll down) until the new HG website gets up and running. I’m suggesting that it would be a healthy exercise, creating your own resume by following the same template. Who knows, it might end up in the publication of a memoir? Why not?
This also leads me to ponder the breadth, depth and wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom bundled up in retired officers spread out across this planet. I wonder, is TSA leadership taking full advantage of all that Hallowed Ground out there? I would love to do these films under the Army banner, but…
Hey! Retired and looking for a creative challenge within your beloved Army. Send your resume to the DC or TC, might awaken him/her to a whole other realm of tried, proven and talented possibilities, especially with declining officer rolls - unlimited resources right there, a headhunter's heaven. Active officers, with new leaders on board who may have no idea of your experience and gifting, ask that a resume be included as part of your personnel file. Better yet, TC’s, DC’s, Personnel Secretaries out there, ask every officer to prepare a resume for placement into their file, think of the information and insight gained all the way around.
JN
These films are purposed to be entertaining, each with moral, ethical and spiritual dimensions reaching out contemporarily to secular and spiritual audiences alike. The filmmakers consider every aspect of production, i.e. funding, set, story, marketing, distribution, add-ons, etc., to be “Hallowed Ground.”
In part, I have been putting a resume together for potential investors, something I have never had to do in the Army as an officer, as we don’t apply and compete for the next appointment, although maybe its not such a bad idea. The exercise is something I would recommend, however, on a personal level, as it helps put everything into its proper perspective, retired or not.
TSA gives us amazing opportunity and a life experience that is often taken for granted. In fact, I was a bit dumbfounded by the depth and breadth of it all as I began piecing mine together from a template found online. I had really never stopped to think about it in its totality, and my experiences are no more, no less than any other career officer, past, present or future, just unique to my particular circumstances. By comparison, many of my contemporaries outside the Army have led boring and less productive lives.
In the meantime, I’ve posted the resume over at joenoland.com (Creators Page, scroll down) until the new HG website gets up and running. I’m suggesting that it would be a healthy exercise, creating your own resume by following the same template. Who knows, it might end up in the publication of a memoir? Why not?
This also leads me to ponder the breadth, depth and wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom bundled up in retired officers spread out across this planet. I wonder, is TSA leadership taking full advantage of all that Hallowed Ground out there? I would love to do these films under the Army banner, but…
Hey! Retired and looking for a creative challenge within your beloved Army. Send your resume to the DC or TC, might awaken him/her to a whole other realm of tried, proven and talented possibilities, especially with declining officer rolls - unlimited resources right there, a headhunter's heaven. Active officers, with new leaders on board who may have no idea of your experience and gifting, ask that a resume be included as part of your personnel file. Better yet, TC’s, DC’s, Personnel Secretaries out there, ask every officer to prepare a resume for placement into their file, think of the information and insight gained all the way around.
JN
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