Holy Imagination

Dear Pastors

Holy Imagination

Imagination – “the act or power of forming a mental picture of something not present and especially of something one has not known or experienced” Merriam-Webster

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going”. Hebrews 11:8

Last week after dinner I watched my two 8 year old grand-daughters (cousins) come up with a most imaginative hour or so of play. With just a 2L bottle of water, a couple of glasses, a few spoons and some scraps of paper they devised this crazy hour or so of play pretending that our dining room table was some kind of fancy shop. There laughing and giggling became so contagious that it wasn’t long before I joined in. It was absolutely delightful.

We know that ‘imaginative play’ is so very important for children’s mental development. Let’s be honest as parents and grandparents we love reading those children’s stories that fuel the imagination…..that talk about a world that is out there, “on the other side of the wardrobe”. C S Lewis knew this to be true and so did Walt Disney and so did Albert Einstein. In fact Einstein said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere”.

Pastors and Christian Leaders, I am convinced we need more of this today in church leadership. You need more of this. We all need more of this. My goodness how easy it is for things to get drab and dull and boring and predictable.

The challenge of the hour is to resist the pull into the ecclesiastical ‘bureaucracy’. Though I want to come back to this idea another time but for now let me say this. I accept that rules and regulations are necessary, however, like a two edged sword, I do believe it is very easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of this stuff and in so doing snuffing out all imagination.

Imagination is a powerful tool for leaders, serving as the cornerstone of visionary thinking, strategic planning, and effective problem-solving. In a rapidly changing world where uncertainty is the norm, imagination enables leaders to navigate complexities, anticipate future trends, and innovate beyond the conventional boundaries of their current context. Imagination is a critical driver of creativity, adaptability, and inspiration, which are essential qualities for effective leadership.

Firstly, imagination fuels creativity, which is crucial for innovation. Leaders with strong imaginative capabilities can envision possibilities that others do not yet see. They can think beyond existing frameworks and traditional solutions, allowing them to create innovative responses to a rapidly changing world. In business, imaginative leaders have been the driving force behind some of the world's most successful companies, such as Goggle, Apple, Tesla, and Amazon. These leaders used their imaginative foresight to develop revolutionary technologies and business strategies, reshaping entire industries and setting new standards for success.

Secondly, imagination enhances problem-solving abilities. Leaders often face complex challenges that require more than just analytical thinking. Imaginative leaders can approach problems from multiple perspectives, considering various scenarios and potential outcomes. This ability to think outside the box allows them to devise innovative solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable in the long term.

Furthermore, imagination is critical for strategic vision. Leaders must be able to envision a future that others cannot yet see, charting a course for their organizations that aligns with long-term goals and aspirations. A strong strategic vision rooted in imagination enables leaders to set clear objectives, motivate their teams, and make decisions that drive progress. Imaginative leaders can communicate this vision compellingly, inspiring their teams to work towards a common goal with passion and dedication. This visionary leadership not only guides the organization but also cultivates a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

I often ask myself. “Alan, are you getting bogged down pecking with the turkey’s or are you soaring with the eagles?”

Can I, pastor, encourage you today to step back from the daily grind and put on Edward de Bono’s green hat (the hat for creative thinking) and reach for the stars.

Before I go:-

• Father’s Day. Here is a really cool new(ish) song. Dax - "To Be A Man" Remix (Feat. Darius Rucker)
• Have you heard about the Ethos Alliance? It’s a new organisation in NZ that whose purpose is – ‘Advice, advocacy and education to promote rights of conscience, religion and belief.
• An open letter about the Treaty Principles Bill. The open letter has been drafted by Common Grace co-directors, alongside members of our Te Tiriti justice team of tangata Tiriti and tangata whenua volunteers, in close consultation with the Rev Dr Rangi Nicholson. You may like to sign it as I have.
• I counted it a privilege to have made a contribution to the Christianity Today article about the Royal Commission of Inquiry here.

Happy Father’s Day
Alan