One further thought from the book, on the subject of life journeys (given that 'journey' is often a metaphor we apply to the Christian life). To quote: 'The metaphor of journey is both powerful and limited. True, life may be seen as a sequence of departures and arrivals; sometimes we do leave important places and relationships behind. But more often they undergo transformation. It is closer to the truth to say that over time some parts of us remain constant and some change. Patterns woven into our sense of self in one environment often remain a part of the tapestry of our inner life even as we change. We never leave home entirely behind. We grow and become by letting go and holding on, leaving and staying, journeying and abiding. A good life is a balance of home and pilgrimage' (Parks et al, Common Fire, p. 31)
What formative experiences lead people to live lives of commitment to the wider world and the common good? This is the focus of an interesting book by Laurent Parks Daloz and three colleagues, called Common Fire: Leading Lives of Commitment in a Complex World (Beacon Press 1996). Interviewing a variety of people in mid-life who have managed to sustain a long-term commitment to making the world a better place, the researchers note a number of common 'orientations' - 1) the ability to create time to pause, reflect and assess 2) the ability to live well both within and beyond one's 'tribe' or primary network of belonging 3) the development of a practice of 'connection' (i.e., moving beyond individualism and seeing/living one's life in such a way as recognises how things and people are interconnected and inter-dependent 4) the development of positive language, symbols or images which enable people to imagine a better future - a kind of hopeful imagination. The authors note that congregations and religious communities of different types can play a positive role in fostering those orientations - so how practically might we do it in our churches?
One further thought from the book, on the subject of life journeys (given that 'journey' is often a metaphor we apply to the Christian life). To quote: 'The metaphor of journey is both powerful and limited. True, life may be seen as a sequence of departures and arrivals; sometimes we do leave important places and relationships behind. But more often they undergo transformation. It is closer to the truth to say that over time some parts of us remain constant and some change. Patterns woven into our sense of self in one environment often remain a part of the tapestry of our inner life even as we change. We never leave home entirely behind. We grow and become by letting go and holding on, leaving and staying, journeying and abiding. A good life is a balance of home and pilgrimage' (Parks et al, Common Fire, p. 31)
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AuthorsIan Jones is Director of St Peter's Saltley Trust. Archives
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