Pushing Out the Journey Inward

The Church of the Saviour inspired many books and articles,  many from their longtime member and "PR person", Elizabeth O'Connor.  Her stories reached people because they spoke with a voice that faithfully channeled the voice of the community and that sense of history and journey.  The idea of "pushing out" some content from the INTRAnet to the INTERnet (a terminology used by orgainzations to describe the transfer of fully tested and ready applications to a production site) is applicable to the Church,  and the idea of Journey Inward, Journey Outward, which is the title of one of O'Connor's books.  It proclaims the two neccessary elements of Church life: the enabling and encouraging and dedicaton to the Inward Journey and the Outward Journey;  of observing inner journeys and disciplines,  but also finding our calling and where this can lead to participation in the world at some point of need.

The story of both of these journeys,  held in balance,  is the story that is told in Journey Inward, Journey Outward,  as well as Call to Commitment, The New Community,  and Servant Leaders, Servant Structures.  The widespread popularity of these books is an illustration of the power of the "INTRAnet, internal story" being utilized to infuse a sense of voice into the story that is proclaimed on the public INTERnet.   Without a certain amount of "peepholes" into the process of how a community arrives at certain places alomg their journey,  the public invitation to "Come Join Us" is somewhat abstract.  The ones we hope to "attract" to involvement must be privy to some of our process.

© Copyright 2003 Dale Lature. Last update: 9/23/2003; 3:39:49 PM.