We invite you to grab your copy of the book, a journal to write your reflections, and engage with our content as we learn from Dr. Jones what it means to utilize traditioned innovation to thrive in our communities and institutions. *
Chapter 4: Imagining
Dr. Jones invites us to discover new possibilities by cultivating a rich imagination that we are able to give shape to the kind of flourishing for which we yearn. We need space to dream about what flourishing really looks like.
The chapter shares different imagination abilities, including design thinking. Primarily, design thinking is an approach that encourages us to tap into and apply our inherit creativity.
In what ways can your leadership team amplify the Project Thrive process when applying design thinking?
One of the things we know is that humans are always looking to the future. This chapter looks at how imagining can open new possibilities and how to become people, institutions, and communities that are equipped to imagine by cultivating the virtues of curiosity, humility, and hope.
These virtues are difficult because we are not often given space for this to happen, and as a result we consider only incremental change instead of imagining a bold and transformative future.
While reading “Imagining,” Dr. Jones will describe the three virtues to us.
Let’s try writing our own understanding of curiosity, humility, and hope with the insight Dr. Jones shares in this chapter.
Chapter 5: Traditioning
Traditioning is the way to deal with bewilderment and move toward an imagined future. We are placed in a story that extends backward and forward. Traditioning helps us to know what to preserve and what to cast off, what to learn and what to unlearn. It gives us identity that can lead and sustain us into the future.
In order to do traditioning well, we must tell and listen to stories of our past, decide what to keep and determine how what we have done and been can help us into a new and better future.
We are often tempted to cast off and forget about the past, recognizing the brokenness and shortcomings of people and institutions. But, instead of removing the institutions completely, Dr. Jones suggests that we should create better ones based on what we want them to become and what brings about flourishing.
During your Past and Present Congregational Conversations, you have begun the practice of Traditioning.
What areas of Traditioning resonate with you?
In what ways do you witness your congregation currently Traditioning?
We look forward to sharing our upcoming post next week. Be ready to reflect on Chapter 6 and 7 of Navigating the Future. Remember to subscribe to our blog for more content from the Project Thrive team.
In June 2021, participating pastors received Navigating the Future by Dr. Gregory Jones & Andrew Hogue.
*We encourage you to gather your answers in a word document or journal – and feel free to leave us your thoughts in the comments below! Reply to others’ reflections or submit your own reflection.
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