Curating Transformation

Last updated on: April 26, 2013 at 11:41 am by Jenny Warner

Curating Transformation 2013-04-26T11:41:00-06:00 Jenny Warner

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another. Seth Godin

I have had the privilege of quite a bit of reflection time this month on the cusp of a few months while our head of staff goes on sabbatical.

I have been pondering the heart of my role as a pastor. There are plenty of people who want to define that role for me and I field regular requests to lend my support to worthy causes. Over time, those requests begin to whittle away the “why” of what I do and it seems my role is to jump from church meeting to church meeting, filling the role of a figurehead and being the religious professional required to make certain decisions or bless appropriate actions. Which is most definitely NOT why I became a pastor.

But. What if I am an artist in the spirit of Seth Godin’s definition? What if the purpose of my work is to create opportunities for change? What if the focus of Sunday morning worship, meetings, and personal counseling is to create a context for transformation? Since I believe transformation happens through encounter (with God, others and my true self), then there could be no better job than pastor to make that happen.

A pastor is not just an artist of single works, a pastor’s artistry is in being a curator. Curating works of art (people, projects, services) that have the possibility to transform others and transform our world. Curating involves artful arranging and careful analysis. It requires making wise choices and using empty space as well as the artwork itself. Curating means taking a larger view and doing your best to allow other’s work to shine. The curator can only use what is available and works to connect past and present, the other and the self, and to tell a larger story with many smaller parts.

In the end, the curator has no control over the encounter. Each person who walks in has their own story that they bring to the works of art and to the collection itself. The curator gives their work back to become a new work in someone else’s life and trusts it will impart courage to create more transformation.

This image is working well for me as I look at the task of leading a faith community. It helps me keep my head above the piles of responsibility and expectations. And it gives me courage to act in a way that may create change in another.

How can your work be more a work of art?

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 25, 2013

Post-sermon Anxiety

Next Post

May 8, 2013 with gratitude to Dallas Willard (1935-2013)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2016 February 2016 January 2016 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 October 2014 September 2014 January 2014 December 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz