New science challenges us at quite literally every level, even at the subatomic level. Vast horizons of possible implications present themselves to us fraught with potential and dread simultaneously. Quantum physics or “new science” challenges the 17th century Newtonian imagery of a mechanized universe and world! These discoveries have shattered the lens of old paradigms and ushered us into a macro world of inter-connectedness.
In her book Leadership and the New Science Margaret J. Wheatley boldly blazes a new trail challenging leaders to embrace a “living systems approach” to leading organizations; no more cold hard pieces of machinery pre-disposed to wear and tear and ultimate outmodedness, but a system that is constantly evolving and responding intelligently to change. Living or “learning” organizations that are interconnected and possess dynamic and resilient qualities, in short, organizations where relationships define purpose!
Wheatley argues that current structures must change, and how we must switch our thinking and start looking at the processes by which living systems grow and thrive. And one of those is a periodic plunge into the darker forces of chaos. Chaos seems to be a critical part of the process by which living systems constantly re-create themselves in their environment. For us such chaos is beyond fearful; it is terrifying! In a command-and-control environment, such as that in which we have been raised, “control is king.” Chaos is to be eschewed at all costs in the Newtonian theory; but should we continue to succumb to a theory that ultimately brings death.
The discussion of particles, waves and the power of observation in light of vision and faith is was most enlightening. The core of Wheatley’s hypothesis is that quantum physics teaches that particles do not exist independently of their relationship to each other, and neither do people, who are the “waves of potential” moving through the space of organizations. Relationships are, therefore, the fabric of self-organizing teams, while information is the source of all change and the “life blood” of the organization. She goes on to explain how that particles and waves possess the capacity to self-organize into meaningful relationships as the situation dictates (the double slit experiment). She goes on to state that it is the power of observation that essentially changes the state of a given subject or entity. In short, she believes that we create reality through observation and “that reality” becomes the lens through which we interpret events. She holds that the building-blocks of all life is relationships, and that these relationships evoke awesome potential.
Spiritual and ministerial applications are abundant in the Wheatley text. Chaos theory summons many examples in scripture to mind, but none greater than the Genesis account of creation. Genesis 1:1-2 declares. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (ESV). At the word of God chaos (the primordial earth) reordered itself into that which was pristine or perfect and declared of God to be good! Chaos should be a time for leaders to embrace change and see a myriad of new possibilities. Chaos shatters the old paradigms and ushers in new vistas of potential and inter-connectedness that may have never been considered prior to the moment of convulsion. Webs of chaos inter-connect testimonies of victory providing the believer and church with new relationships of faith in Christ.
One of the most poignant lessons to be gleaned from these insights pertaining to faith and vision is the power of observation. While vision emotes from God and is perfect in every way it is through my interaction with it that it “becomes,” moved from the realm of potential into that of the experiential. It might also be said that there is an intrinsic connected relationship with vision and community. The word of the Lord declares, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18 NIV). Without restraint the people perish, again demonstrating absolute need of vision. But also consider the relationship of blessing conferred upon those who do perceive and keep the law.
Faith to some is the elusive “particle” or “wave” of the spirit world, but need it be that way? No, faith is simply the intangible commodity through which we transact “real” spiritual business! Hebrew 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV). And goes on to say in Hebrews 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Faith is how we frame our world with the Word of God. He spoke to chaos and order came, we speak to mountains, and they are moved! There is a certain “substance” to faith, a measure of it to meet all life and ministry demands. But faith is only activated when acted upon; it is our acting upon (believing) that which is “hoped for” that causes our faith to “presence” God’s response! The dynamism of relationship and inter-connectedness can again be observed in Romans 10:17, “So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” And yet again in Hebrews 4:2, “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].” In conclusion, faith is as the wave and particle that intuitively self organizes and responds to the various needs of the moment. Faith as a particle wave is full of potential, replete with expectations, dreams, and desires; and as such leaders must be facilitators of observation, opening conduits of connectivity and allowing them (co-laborers) to see the glistening realm of the Holy that waits in potentia!
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