I dedicate myself to “culture work.”
Brazilian educator and social philosopher Paulo Friere summarized his entire theory and practice with this one phrase: "Teachers are cultural workers." Once a person can delve into the life of those they are called to serve, then, and only then, can they engage in dialogue. Once there has been sufficient dialogue can that one reflect on their learnings; and, after reflection comes praxis! Solidarity-Dialogue-Reflection-Praxis: these four steps shape the way I engage more deeply into a community. As a white, cis-gender male, this process of engagement has enabled me to work with communities and develop relationships for the explicit hope that community has for themselves, not the hope I have for that community. What I have learned through the years of dialogue is that the work of churches, organizations, and even families, develop, devolve, and derive a culture. In my experience, I have met organizations at varying levels of that continuum and assisted them in formulating a healthier, balanced way of functioning. As a Christian minister, family scientist, and parenting podcaster, I believe that the ‘how’ of a culture is far more important than the ‘what’ of a group, no matter the size.
As a leader I work "inside-out.” The more I can gain a healthier internal process, the more likely I can lead from a place of awareness. In working with organizations I value transparency and vulnerability as strengths in my leadership and with the organization. Given all that the world, denominations (especially my own), and families are facing these days we must lead differently to emerge more faithful, more compassionate and more awake to the Spirit's movement.