Are you Po-mo or Mo? how are you getting on with the transition?
I've recently been reading "Postmodernism and the Salvation Army" (TSA Triterritorial Theological Forum - AUS, AUE, NZ, FiJI & TONGA). In one chapter, it talks about how symbolism is a huge part of the Salvation Army's 'thing'. It says,
"Postmodernity.. offers a number of new opportunities for the Army to embrace. These include symbolism that is:
- less word, more visually centred;
- less cerebral, more exponentially based;
- less metanarrative, more personal narrative encouraged;
- less explanation, more mystery allowed;
- less formality, more play and artistic expression;
- less structure, more creativity;
- less order, more party celebration;
- less control, more transparency and vulnerability"
I can see these tensions playing themselves out in my life at the moment. The question I grapple with, is how can a postmodernist live with modernism? The answers?
- Become Modernist - let the system shape you
- Change others to Postmodernists - shape the system
- struggle somewhere in the middle - grapple with the issues, not let it take you over
- Give up - ignorance is bliss (yeah right)
I hope I'm a 'struggler', but sometimes think I might be a 'everyone needs to get with po-mo, NOW!' kind of person (maybe trying to make up for the Mo's dragging their feet!).
One more list of dot points for you.... about structures that will enrich the Army for the future.
"The institution that will work for us in the postmodern era is one that:
- thanks God for its potential contribution to renewal and mission;
- can distinguish between purpose and process;
- is strong on vision and mission while being relaxed about boundaries;
- holds itself up to scrutiny and acknowledges its own transitory nature;
- can laugh at itself;
- listens intently to those at the grass roots;
- is saturated by grace."
I think perhaps that last point holds some answers for Po-mo's and Mo's living in harmony and taking this transition on.... GRACE.
Lord send us more grace, we need it to remain united for your purpose - to be a SALVATION Army. Amen.
