In our recent homily series, our teaching team reflected on some of our painful and complicated experiences with hierarchical structures in churches. Many of us grew up in systems and structures that fostered patriarchy and celebrity culture. Even Vox has not been immune from the impact and weight of hierarchy. For the last few years, our leadership has been considering other creative and healthier ways of leading and living as a community. As we explore a posture of non-hierarchy, we consider the model that Jesus embodied and invite you into a conversation and imagination of how we might shift our default patterns and expectations.
2. Shared Leadership as Resistance
3. Engaging Tension with Humility
5. Dreaming in League with God
6. What is Collective Discernment?
Vox’s Value of Posture:
God gives grace to the humble. And a posture of humility emerges as we receive grace in community. Jesus, though equal with God, emptied himself of power and made himself human. We are called to a deep acceptance of this messy humanity, both ours and others, just as Jesus practiced. We have God’s DNA yet live within our shadow, ashamed to live the fullness of God’s vision for our lives. Humility is choosing to see ourselves and others more accurately – both our light and darkness. Each person has profound intrinsic worth and carries God’s spark. We will work to consider others in addition to ourselves – recognizing that caring only for ourselves is just as damaging as neglecting ourselves which leads to another form of self-centered living. (Phil 2)
[Photo by Patrick Hendry]