SCHLEIFE SOCIAL GAMES ANALYSIS

SUBMITTED BY

Rebecca Giselbrecht

ML 537 Leaders and Church in Culture

Dr. Alan Weaver

June 6, 2006

Table of Contents

I.          INTRODUCTION.. 4

A.        Informants. 4

B.        History of the Schleife. 5

C.        Basic Demographic. 8

D.        Purpose/Vision/Goals. 9

E.         Leadership Structure. 10

F.         Membership. 11

G.        Programs. 12

H.        Worship Service. 14

I.          Facilities. 15

J.          Summary of Ethos. 15

II.    ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL GAMES AT THE SCHLEIFE.. 17

A.        Introduction. 17

B.        The Survey Respondents. 17

C.        Summary of Analysis. 18

D.        Schleife Games Found in the Individualist Quadrant 20

1.         Worship Game. 20

E.         Schleife Games Found in the Egalitarian Quadrant 23

1.         Labour of Ministry Game. 23

2.         Conflict Game. 25

3.         Resources Game. 27

F.         Schleife Games Found in the Hierarchic Quadrant 29

1.         Authority Game. 29

G.        Concluding Analysis of the Social Games at the Schleife. 33

H.        Resolving the Differences. 35

I.          Final Comments. 38

III.       RECOMMENDATIONS. 40

A.        Implications for Expanding Ministry. 40

B.        Leadership Metaphors. 43

1.         Metaphors of purpose: 44

2.         Metaphors of identity: 45

3.         Metaphors of encouragement: 47

IV.       Appendixes. 48

A.        The Authority Game. 48

B.        The Property and Resources Game. 54

C.        The Labour of Ministry Game. 59

D.        The Conflict and Political Interest Game. 65

E.         The Worship Game. 71

F.         Summary Graphs. 77

V.    Bibliography.. 79

! I.       INTRODUCTION

The word Schleife in English means to sharpen, whet; grind, abrade, smooth, polish or to put through the mill.  Geri Keller, the founder of the Schleife Fellowship of Ministries, wrote in a booklet published for the 10 year jubilee celebration of the Schleife in 2002:

 For prophetically gifted people this name would have a deep spiritual meaning. We must disappoint you: The name “Schleife” is the description of a factory building and the neighborhood bus stop.

What exactly is the Schleife?  Perhaps the definition- Christian Fellowship of Ministries is the easiest reply.  It is also defined as a movement. It is not a church that everyone can join, although the Schleife hosts many public worship services and events. The Schleife is a vision that God gave to a group of people who moved out of the State Church of Seen, Switzerland, a district of the city of Winterthur, in order to serve the Body of Christ in Switzerland and German speaking countries. 

The purpose and goals of this paper are to analyze the social games of the Schleife Fellowship of Ministries in order to provide recommendations as well as metaphors of ministry to the Schleife concerning the implications of an expanded ministry.

A.                Informants

David Schneider helpfully provided the names of 4 informants with differing levels of authority and tasks in the Schleife.  The Director of Business and Administration will be denoted with ADM.  The chairman of the Counseling Department will be CD.  The head of Secretarial Administration is the Sec informant.  A volunteer and member with a teaching and leadership role will be referred to as LM for lay minister.

B.                 History of the Schleife

David Schneider is one of the leaders of the Schleife and the following are excerpts from an interview in which he describes the history of the Schleife.

“A group of State Church members had formed into a „Winde“ or attic group, most of this group decided together with their pastor Geri Keller, not to leave the State Church officially, but to work with the Schleife as an entity instead of the Church.

In 1992, we founded the Foundation.  We rented the front part of this industrial building and kept expanding into the adjacent rooms. It began with counseling as well as seminars for Church Leaders.  From the beginning, we had good contact with many of the State Churches, from before.  We were able to support the churches in discipleship and on a personal level.  It wasn’t just this but we were invited to one church after another to serve them.  Then one thing led to the other, and there were conferences.  The first were called “Solid Food Conferences,” then, “The David Conference,” and the last, “The Levite Camp.”  This is like a mandate that the Schleife began to fulfill. 

Decisive for the Schleife was our contact to Morning Star Ministries. This was what set the prophetic element free in the Schleife.  Then this brought the prophetic element into the Conferences where this was proclaimed out into the land.  Then the worship is of course an element.  This is a department with employees. 

The Schleife developed into 3 inner departments: Counseling and Discipleship for setting people free, the Prophetic Department that has changed leadership several times now, and Intercession was the third department that was turned on in the beginning by outsiders. 

In 1994 the Tuesday evening service began and was a reaction to the Toronto Blessing.  Guy Chevreau set this on fire, and until this day now 13 years later, we have continued with it.  The Reithalle service is like the corner stone; we could call it the mast of a ship.  Another important element which we brought with us from Seen and the State Church is Israel.  We accepted the mandate to pray for Israel and the promise for one new man to not lose the big picture of what God is doing from our eyes.  It has always been a part of the Schleife, actually the prophetic as well.  We see that the seed, the seed, all of the elements already existed there. 

And so, God used the Schleife as a small moving troop. Through the work of a few people the ministry and the fellowship have grown like the roots of a tree out of the first core group and now the Fellowship supports the entire tree.  The ministries are fed and supported out of the Fellowship, and the ministries are fed and carried.  More and more ministries were added, and then, the youth.  The youth work is led by Andreas and Stephanie Keller; officially it began 4 years ago in 2001.  Then the internships for students began 2.5 years ago.  So it is now a tree with a large crown.

The question always remains, where is the main focus?  What is important? How can we remain efficient available and flexible?  How can we learn to let things go?  This is a process that we are standing in.  It is normal. 

The house groups have a church structure, but what we don’t have is that someone can just come and join.  We don’t have this.  We are a fellowship.  It is important that we don’t become dangerous to the churches.  Like when we have seminars, one or the other would change churches then.  These are often life changing phases for the participants and we have had the vision until now that we help prepare people as Christians and send them back to their churches.  For us it is also important that we also stay wide in the area of churches.  We know the evangelical scene.  That we don’t lose contact to the State Churches.  We seek contact to the Catholics when possible.  We make no difference in the denomination area; we are one in what the Kingdom of God is, that is our communal basis.  So we see ourselves as a place within the body of Christ.  A place in the whole where we can use the talents that God has given us in order to strengthen the entire body.

We have a growing national awareness.  We also have interest in the business people and have a seminar for business people.  We don’t just go over the heart, but are also interested in value systems for our society.  The SALT school is not the Schleife, but a child of the Schleife, so to speak.  The Schleife doesn’t have an official outreach program.  It could come to pass.  The Schleife is supportive of it.  And now the day care centre is a theme and goes further out into society.  A Christian school is a Christian school, but the day care is way more out in the public. 

Now we are in the phase of asking and listening what is our next move.  What are the priorities for the Schleife?  This is like a period of time that we have to conduct regularly.  The Schleife is not just a diffuse vision.  The Schleife is made up of Rolf, Michael, Andreas, Erika, and so on.  This is a combination of people and these people have callings on their lives.  We try to work this way in the Schleife: when these callings come together and are prepared to compliment each other, that strength will propel the direction.  It is not a political program that we have to bow under like the five year plan in communism.  In order to bring the vision and the Schleife into power, it can only happen as it happens within the individuals.  So that they come into their callings are set free also to serve others.  It’s not just about self fulfillment; it is, however, often what we like to do.  Often what we like to do is what we are called to do.  Usually these belong together, but I also need to look and see who is left and right from me.  I am not just solo. 

  At the moment we are doing the winter cut so to speak in a good way in order to see what is important.  The question about the Fellowship:  How can people dock on the Schleife? It appears to others as being a capsule.  Everyone sits in their office.  We are a Living Fellowship, but I suspect that we are a bunch of individualists.  I think that it’s probably so, although we try to share our lives as well as we can. 

We are self sufficient people, but we must say that through many years, we have remained together constantly.  It is perhaps a deeper form of community that we don’t have to constantly be together, but in the end we remain together. It’s a form of community; we are like the mafia…  In crisis our community functions.  Change isn’t easy.  Principally, the Schleife Fellowship likes change.  Schleife is something that keeps moving like a bicycle, if it stands still it falls over.  Financially, we function in that when we do something we stay solvent. Finance like the body has to stay in motion in order to stay alive.    If we didn’t have any more seminars or classes, this would have practical consequences.    The Schleife functions like an organ, it is organic. 

C.                Basic Demographic

The Schleife is located in Winterthur, Switzerland in the Canton of Zurich.  Winterthur is the sixth largest city in Switzerland with a population of 93,000.  It is one of the homes of the Swiss rail industry which has along with other heavy industries all but disappeared.  It now has a service oriented economy with the Winterthur Insurance Group as one of these services.  The Schleife is easily accessed by train and bus and close to the downtown area of Winterthur.

There are 21 salaried employees at the Schleife.  Not all of them are full time with varying percents of employment.  The Schleife Fellowship is made up of 130 grown ups and 30 kids.  There are ca. 200 lay ministers who do not belong to the Fellowship, these people work in various ministries, but are usually members of home churches.  There is not a formal leader chart available at the moment.  There is a board of directors or trustees, a five member leadership team that Lilo Keller chairs, and a resort leader team that is being newly defined as well as heads of departments of ministry.  Life Cells is the name used for what are referred to as House Cells in other places. The cell leaders are also a part of the leadership organization.  The Schleife is currently creating an organizational chart for use in future contexts. 

D.                Purpose/Vision/Goals

The purpose of the Schleife is defined in a brochure as follows:  The Schleife Foundation wants to further and support Christian Churches of all denominations, Christian Ministries, as well as groups in their practical and spiritual development.  In order to accomplish this, the Schleife Foundation has created appropriate worship services, counseling, and educational services that are grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The vision of the Schleife is according to Ezekiel 34 which is a chapter about shepherding, “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick, and protect the fat and strong.”  This is why the shepherding ministry which includes, counseling, healing, deliverance or ministry to the body of Christ, is and remains the central vocation of the Schleife. 

The goal of the Schleife is to live in community and serve the body of Christ. 

E.                 Leadership Structure

According to Swiss law, the Schleife has a board of trustees that is responsible for the Schleife in a legal sense.  All expenditures that are more than 10’000 Francs must be approved by this board.  Under this group there is another entity that will be referred to as the leaders.  Lilo Keller is the president of these 5 leaders.  They each work in the Schleife.  They are David Schneider, Alois Burger, Andreas Keller, Lilo Keller and Werner Tanner.  Under them in the hierarchy are those who are responsible for different resorts or areas of ministry. Each of the resort leaders is able to lead their teams and make decisions.  Each leader can structure their teams as they choose. 

Schleife Fellowship Members are often team and group leaders, but not exclusively.  In addition to the members, there are many people who belong to other churches, but still invest in the ministries at the Schleife.  These people are called the volunteers.  Without their help, large conferences and seminars would be beyond the resources of the Schleife Fellowship.

Figure 1: Structure of the Schleife Fellowship

F.                 Membership

Until recently the members were hand picked according to the call on their lives.  This has recently changed and there is an official protocol for members.  Those who are involved in the Schleife ministries can chose to work in them and then request to be taken into the fellowship.  These people can take a class about the Schleife doctrine and then decide whether or not they want to join.  There are 5 things that members agree upon.

1.      The member agrees to practice personal fellowship with God through prayer and Bible Study. (Daily Bread)

2.      It is required that this fellowship be extended to a Life Cell or House Group.  Each member can choose the group according to the group’s emphasis. (Community)

3.      Each member is required to attend the fellowship services that meet every second Sunday at 17:00.

4.      Each member is a minister to others and according to his abilities ministers in the Schleife ministries. (Ministry)

5.      Each member agrees to tithe to the Schleife. (Tithing)

G.                Programs

The Schleife wants to remain an organic community and so the programs are modified and developed according to perceived needs of the Body of Christ.  Some of the ministries have been part of the Schleife since the beginning and others have been added and have evolved.  One of the new directions that the Schleife has decided to take is outreach.  Until now most of the work has taken place in German speaking countries.  There is currently a project group that is planning to support Messianic Churches in Israel.  The first trip will take place this fall.  Another new ministry is Parent and Family Ministries for Counseling and Support. 

The following is a short definition of the main ministries that are the centre of the Schleife.  The Schleife wants to be primarily a place of prayer.  There are regular pray groups that function in the Schleife.  Counseling is available to those who seek it as well as prayer.  There is a Ministry for Spiritual Leaders or those in positions of leadership in the Body of Christ.  This includes consultation, counseling, mentoring, and the chance to exchange ideas and continuing education classes.  Seminars are offered in such themes as, counseling, and inner healing, physical healing and prophecy, worship and prayer, equipping for ministry, intensive training for spiritual leaders, specific for men, women, business people and musicians, etc.  International Conferences are hosted in order to worship and listen for God together with people from different nations. 

Until recently, the Reithalle Band with Lilo Keller was the source of many songs that provided the people of God with new spiritual impulses.  This band has been disbanded and Lilo will now devote her time to other ministries.  However, there are at least 3 new bands that have formed out of this movement and are now worshipping in the Schleife.  The School for Reconciliation and Prophecy is a two month program with international speakers that equips people for ministry.  There is an International Ministry of Reconciliation that is involved in the reconciliation of churches, denominations, and nations.  Church Building Teams go regularly in outreach to support and build up churches and ministries.  The Schleife Publishing House publishes books and music with contemporary messages for the Body of Christ as well as The Schleife Prophetic Bulletin.

The program for the second quarter of 2006 looks something like this:  Children’s Conference “Victory” for 3 days (500 children),  a parallel parent’s spiritual training program (200 parents),  Women’s Conference “Living with Perspective,”  School- camp for worshipers for 2 weeks “The Heart of Worship,” Counseling workshop, Leadership days “The Kingdom of God Needs Leaders,” Business peoples seminar, seminar “The Word of God,” Discipleship week, Counseling seminar, “Free to serve,” and On the scent of freedom,” Men’s retreat “When is a man a man?,” Building days “In His Presence,” marriage week “So we can be something to the praise and glory of God,” Healing afternoons, and counseling for individuals, parents, and kids. 

H.                Worship Service

Tuesday Revival Services, the Reithalle Service, the Fellowship meeting, Easter Retreat, Life Cell Groups and most other meetings of the Schleife begin with musical worship.  Lilo Keller and the Reithalle Band have been an important part of the German speaking worship scene for many years now.  The band members are also song writers that have had a great influence on the songs sung in most free churches in Switzerland.  The style might be described as a Swiss modern Vineyard style.  Many musicians have joined the fellowship recently.  The Reithalle Band has disbanded and has spun off many of its members who play at various Schleife events.  Worshipping God and seeking His presence are central to the Schleife.  The life of worship is practiced by the individuals and corporately. 

The Tuesday services are open to the public and officially called revival services.  There is a prophetic prayer ministry, where a group of 3 people listen and pray for an individual before the service. The program consists of worship, testimonies, a sermon, and a time of prayer for those attending, which is provided by the counseling team.  There are usually between 200 and 300 people attending.  Most of these people are not members of the Schleife Fellowship, but are encouraged to be members of a regular church.  The sermon themes are generally contemporary and timely and delivered by various leaders from the Schleife.

The Reithalle which meets once a month is Geri Keller’s preaching platform and also open to the public.  This is an international event with many of its attendees coming from southern Germany and Austria.  There are between 400 and 1’000 attending regularly. The pattern of liturgy is the same as Tuesday evenings, but Geri is usually the preacher.  He teaches through, for instance, the Book of Revelation month for month. The Fellowship meetings, Easter Retreat and Living Cell Groups are all reserved for members of the Fellowship. 

I.                   Facilities

The Schleife has rented and remodeled all of its facilities.  The top floor of a building that used to be used for industrial purposes has been turned into a worship and ministry centre.  There is one large hall carved out of the attic of this building that holds about 350 people.  Another room which is a place to meet and eat, as well as teach, connects the back part of the horseshoe shaped office area to another meeting/worship room.  The publishing company has adopted the entrance level of the building.  Next door to the Schleife is the red house.  The red house is also being rented by the Schleife and has been remodeled to be housing for visiting students and others who are at the Schleife for a while. 

J.                  Summary of Ethos

The Schleife is a non confessional Para- Church organization that serves the Swiss Christian community.  Christians make up the Schleife community.  Guder describes the ethos well, “the members are learning to think christianly: they are learning how to see the world through the eyes of Jesus; they are becoming biblically literate in order to be effective translators of the gospel into their world.”(pg 160)  The mandate for counseling, prayer, and the prophetic has expanded into evangelism and missions in the last years, and the Schleife as a living organism is stretching and growing in order to be transformed into the shape that God has in mind for this ministry.

II.     ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL GAMES AT THE SCHLEIFE

A.                Introduction

This is a qualitative study of the social game preferences at the Schleife Fellowship of Ministries.  The areas of authority, property and resources, labor of ministry, conflict and political interests, as well as worship, will be investigated and analyzed in order to provide information that is meant to help further the ministry goals and vision of the Schleife.  This analysis will include the interview results on the listed areas of interest of 4 Schleife members whom have been selected by the Schleife leadership as representative of the organization.  Various observations by the author concerning these areas of interest will also be included in this analysis. 

The goal of this analysis is to combine the informant information and the author’s observations in order to evaluate the implications for expanding ministry.  The leadership metaphors that will also be a product of this study should be of some assistance for navigation in the waters of God’s moves within the middle European contemporary Body of Christ.

B.                 The Survey Respondents

The survey respondents were chosen by the Schleife leadership as representative of the ministry.  As a Fellowship of Ministries where every member is involved in ministry, the leadership has provided various ministers at different levels of authority with differing views and personalities.  The group of individuals includes 2 men and 2 women.  Their areas of expertise include administration, counseling, leadership and finance, as well as teaching.  Each interviewee has a very different, often mystical, Schleife story.

  Alois’ story is representative of them.  Alois had left his position as a missionary farmer in Portugal in order to seek, together with his wife Verena, the Lord’s will and calling on their lives.  They were enrolled in an English language school in England where they were spending a lot of time in prayer.  Verena received an impression from God in prayer of a well and young people, and a symbol for the Schleife that they couldn’t quite place.  They were waiting for a confirmation of this impression when on the last day of their school; they received an express letter from Lilo Keller the leader of the Schleife.  All three did not know what it was Verena and Alois were supposed to do in the Schleife.  But after 3 month at the Schleife, it all became clear.  There was a sense of trust and calling.

C.                Summary of Analysis

Since we all perceive the kingdom of God on earth in our own cultural terms, according to Lingerfelter, “when we comprehend the dimensions of our cultural prisons and discover some of the biblical keys that will allow us to unlock the chains of our cultural habits and the gates to our cultural walls, these same perspectives will enable us to share our experience of freedom with others and lead them in the journey of becoming followers of Jesus Christ” (pg 21 Lingerfelter).  All institutions play social games.  A Christian organization should be pilgrims in their unique culture.  The fact is that we function within games, so it is vital that we know the games that we are playing and are aware of the positive and negative effects of these games.  There are no good or bad games.

The evaluation of the respondents scores indicate that the Schleife plays an egalitarian game in the property, labor, and conflict areas. The authority game is played in the hierarchical quadrant, and the worship game is individualistic.  The most extreme game that is played is the egalitarian property game which is in the low GRID and the high GROUP area in this analysis (1.5 & 8.2).  The conflict (3.9 & 5.35) and labor scores (3.45 & 5.75) are close to the individualistic and egalitarian borders or middle of these games.  Conflict (3.9 & 5.35) and authority (5.7 & 5.34) are close to the centre of the graph, egalitarian and individualistic, as well. 

In the various respondents’ replies the question of authority was divided between authoritarian and hierarchical, although the replies were on the same GRID level, the GROUP answers were very different.  The conflict area is also almost in the middle between individualistic and egalitarian, although the GRID scores were similar between the informants; the GROUP replies differed with informant FL tending towards lower GROUP than the others.

The differences between the informants were most obvious in the labor area with opinions varying from individualistic, hierarchical, and egalitarian.  The authority game was diverse as well and being played in various arenas according to the informants, in the authoritarian, hierarchical and egalitarian fields. 

According to the average scores of the informants, the Schleife plays an over all low to middle GRID game which is the degree to which relationships are structured by defined roles and rules.  GROUP is the degree which group interests have priority over individual interests.  The worship game is a low GRID and low GROUP individualistic game at the Schleife. The Schleife plays a low GRID middle GROUP egalitarian game in the conflict and labor arena.    The property and resources game is a low GRID and high GROUP egalitarian game.  Authority is the highest GRID average and high GROUP average response.  It is close to the middle of the matrix and in the hierarchical game quadrant at the Schleife.

Our culture affects the games that we play individually and in the group.  When we consider the games, their risks, and outcomes in a Christian context it is possible to redirect or harness the energy that is produced to develop a more effective ministry of sharing Jesus Christ with the people within our cultures.

D.                Schleife Games Found in the Individualist Quadrant

Possible strengths of Individualist Games: innovative, responsive, empower people to serve, lead ministries, deep spirituality, exercise gifts

Possible weaknesses of Individualistic Games: chaotic coordination, weak support, individualistic theology leads to error, leadership change, people leave

1.                  Worship Game

Worship in the Schleife is an individualistic social game, low GRID and low GROUP (3.35 & 3.55).  The Swiss State Churches which are the culturally acceptable churches practice a traditional worship form that has not changed much since the reformation of Luther, Zwingli and Calvin.  The Schleife individualistic worship game is not representative of the countries churches and seems to be an effort to bring individualism into the cultural prison of Swiss church traditions.

Every meeting begins with a time of music and prayer where those in attendance are encouraged to seek God and worship Him.  Words like, “God lives in worship,” and “the Holy Spirit wants to heal,” are often heard in worship.  There is a freedom of expression that includes hand raising and dance in most services.  The style of music varies from modern youth, Swiss Vineyard style and some classical music moments.  Lilo who is the administrative leader of the Schleife is a worshipper and shares her gifts with the community.  She also encourages young musicians and gives then a chance to grow.  

 Leaders of worship are organized. The preaching, ideology and knowledge area of worship is a shared responsibility, but Geri Keller is the strongest preacher and spiritual leader in the Schleife.  Since he is over 70 years old, this may be an area of concern for the future of the Schleife.  The Schleife has a charismatic relationship with the Holy Spirit and all informants agreed that Spiritual Power is available for all Christians, and each believer needs to have a personal relationship with God, low GRID. There was an overall consensus that focuses in each believer’s life leads to personal experience of the presence of God. There was an inclination among the informants toward speaking about the differences in the motivation of the members and the lay helpers, for instance, more self fulfilling/serving goals than the members.  The focus in worship is vision and power as well as social transition and maturity.

The informants agreed that healing and deliverance come out of worship, each at their level. The function of worship in the Schleife includes acknowledgment of demonic powers and spiritual warfare, low GRID.  “Worship is something that we do all together.  Worship is help to express.  It is personal.  Worship is like prayer, for one healing, for repentance… worship is also a method of warfare.  If Jesus is in worship, then the Devil will flee,” was a comment of one of the respondents.  In the Schleife there is worship together and each person seeks God there alone, which is clearly individualistic. The high GRID and low GRID replies averaged out to low GRID- 3.35.

The GROUP scores were not more analogous than the GRID scores for worship, but the averages were all low GROUP 3.55. There were some issues that could cause concern that were mentioned by the informants. The community experience seems to be less than it used to be, low GROUP.  There was a consensus that studying, fasting, and praying, or the spiritual disciplines used to be practiced together in the group more consistently and more often. The informants missed this in the growing Schleife. There was also a concern by two of the informants concerning the question of knowledge, low GROUP.  There is a lack of public debate about biblical interpretation which was a lamentation of CD, FL and Sec in reply to this question.  The Schleife identity is clear.  One respondent replied, “Our identity is in Jesus; therefore we have less tradition and more freedom.  We have our own internal language and style.  We try to act and live out of love to God and one another.”  Celebration, repentance, and discipline are the function of worship, although large conferences with up to 6,000 attending are among the Schleife achievements.

The Schleife is playing an individualistic worship game.  The desire to seek God and have a personal relationship with Him is an important facet of the Schleife.  The individuals who chose to join this fellowship are those who want to have a radical walk with God. These are often people who were going it alone in neo-pagan Swiss Christianity before they joined the community.  The individual stories that have led each member into the community are individualistic, yet each has sought community because there is growth in fellowship.

E.                 Schleife Games Found in the Egalitarian Quadrant

Possible Strengths of the Egalitarian Game: Major focus on unity, strong in/out mentality, shared governance, responsibility (people have a voice), clear doctrine, high standards for Christian living

Possible Weaknesses of the Egalitarian Game: coercive group mentality, strong in/out mentality, lack of diversity, slow, factionalism, fragmentation, resolve conflict by dividing, tend to appease vox populi, play to the status quo

1.                  Labor of Ministry Game

Labor and ministry along with worship and prayer could be considered the heart of the Schleife. It is the labor of ministry that brings out fellowship members and lay volunteers to produce large conferences and seminars. The vision of the Schleife is to serve the Body of Christ and this obviously involves labor and ministry.  Working together is, however, interpreted diversely by the respondents who ended up in the individualistic, egalitarian, and hierarchical quadrants with their replies.  The averaged score was low GRID middle GROUP (3.45 & 5.75) egalitarian.

The organization of labor at the Schleife is contingent upon individual gifting and character and gives a pretty consistent middle to low GRID average reply.  Scheduling for labor is contingent on the event and differential according to the level of leadership responsibility.  Everybody must remain flexible and able to help out according to gifts and events. This is an example of low to middle GRID scheduling. The informant’s responses to the question about productivity were not unified and the average was very low GRID. This indicates that there are no defined means of measurement that are generally accepted at the Schleife which could cause confusion and some uncertainty for members.  People at the Schleife are not motivated by status, or role and reward, but according to self defined priorities; this indicates a low GRID operating pattern.  The objectives for labor are seen at two ends of the scale by the informants, leaving medium egalitarian low GRID border line individualistic average replies.  The informants unanimously expressed the fact that objectives of labor are also an area where clear communication could bring more productivity and less frustration in the ministry.

In the Schleife labor game, organizing and planning are seen very differently by the respondents with both low and high GROUP responses.  One respondent replied, “Decision making is difficult in the Schleife.  Who is responsible is sometimes hard to figure out.”  There is a struggle to become more structured and group effective.  A power struggle should be avoided.  The focus and coordination of the Schleife is middle GROUP; there was a consensus of the informants.  There is, however, a unanimous need for more clarity of tasks and responsibilities.  Interaction / Team Work and unity are important to all of the informants and clearly necessary for a ministry like the Schleife.  The scores were both high and low GROUP because each of the informants works in a different area where the social aspect is more or less important according to task.  Those who work full time at the Schleife are under contract and receive payment for the task being performed. The ranges of score in this area were between 0 and 6.  The differences of opinion are based on the fact that full time employees and lay member ministers are given different forms of payment.  The one receives money, and the other attention and public recognition.

The labor and ministry game replies give an egalitarian medium definition for these games at the Schleife.  There appears to be a lack of communication that may be causing inefficiency and some degree of frustration among the members.  The newer growth of the ministry is defining a change that has both pros and cons for the Schleife.  The Spirit guided decision making process is difficult to retain with more people to lead who are critical.  This fact seems to be leading the organization from the egalitarian into the hierarchical just as it did Moses.  Labor is defined by goal and task at the Schleife and is moving from individually directed towards corporately directed interests.  This indicates that the leadership of the Schleife is growing more decentralized.

2.                   Conflict Game

The middle European conflict game is played differently than the North American.  Tolerance and diplomacy are highly held social virtues and this is important to remember when these games are analyzed here.  There is a general tendency to refrain from conflict.  The scores of the informants who replied to this questionnaire were extremely erratic as compared to the uniformity of the other games, but averaged out to an egalitarian conflict and political interest game.  It would appear that there is not really a standard for conflict management at the Schleife, although biblical principles for conflict were mentioned regularly by each informant.  The Schleife conflict game average lies in the egalitarian region very close to the individualistic borders (3.9 & 5.35).

The GRID replies were all over the board, but averaged into a low GRID score.  The channels used for conflict are both personalized networks and institutional channels.  The erratic responses indicate no functional conflict management channels in the Schleife.  The outcome of conflict is influenced by caution and respect for individuals or “burnt stones” as Schleife members often consider themselves to be.  It seems that anything goes in conflict, including networking, relationships, and a leaders customizing code.  Biblical standards influence conflict and the low GRID average for the question concerning the code of conflict.  The conflict process was also individualistically analyzed by the informants and all over the board ranging from 1 to 8.  Both pastors and people chose strategies depending on the conflict. The time of conflict, however, is controlled by the leadership.  There is no patience for long term conflicts. 

The GROUP conflict scores were clustered in the egalitarian area except for one that remained individualistic.  This gave a middle range GROUP (5.35) average that is egalitarian.  The GROUP scores were more consistent than the GRID area of conflict.  Networking for or against a person seemed to be  a well known tactic that is avoided by the people of the fellowship, not that it never occurs, but talking about others is an issue that is discussed, discouraged, and a matter of teaching.  The Schleife is for its members, not against them, high GROUP.  Consensus is low GROUP. The biblical framework is open to some interpretation, but the leadership does have the right to reach in and mediate, if they see fit to do so.  There is a high GROUP consensus about vulnerability.  One respondent said, “You can ask, but also in the end leave it standing.  Protection of the weakest personality is important.  Jesus treated Judas like a friend until the very end.”  Mediation is part of the typical Swiss compromise for harmony and a part of the Schleife mindset.  It plays a role in social disputes and compromise and reconciliation are the primary strategy, high GROUP.  Open confrontation is not valued in the Schleife.  Self control is a virtue, low GROUP.

The Schleife sways between the individualistic and egalitarian system in its conflict management strategies, but averages out to the egalitarian quadrant.  The biblical principles are in place, everything else is a matter of character.  The Schleife relies on character rather than structure for the denouement of its conflicts.  Reconciliation is important in the fellowship.  The GRID area of conflict may need some thought as the Schleife grows.

3.                  Resources Game

People are the primary resource of the Schleife and property is simply a means to an end.  The annual budget fluctuates from year to year depending on the events that are hosted.  The low GRID and high GROUP responses (1.5 & 8.2) that were almost unanimous among the informants put the Schleife property game in the egalitarian court.  This indicates that the Schleife is preserving for all, consuming, and sharing in the community.  Lingerfelter wrote, “Only when we are willing to surrender to Christ all that we have are we free to enjoy all the he gives to us” (Lingerfelter 63). 

The low GRID responses were almost all the same except for the question of control.  The distribution of funds according to needs or status were not clear between the respondents with the replies of Adm with a 1 “needs” and CD with the response 10 “status.”  The discrepancy implies that funds are spent according to ministry needs with their priority being determined according to the leadership’s opinions.   The facilities are a means to an end at the Schleife, low GRID.  “Taking risks is a part of listening and trusting God,” according to one respondent; there was a unanimous low GRID reply to this.  Access to funds is according to ministry needs and several of those interviewed have no budgeted funds what so ever.  Money, at least ideologically, is not a factor for measurement of success or self esteem at the Schleife.  The informants were in agreement about money and gave clear low GRID responses.

The GROUP responses were high GROUP.  There is corporate oversight of all resources, high GROUP.  The individual church ministries hold user rights and the church corporately assigns use of property and resources to its various ministries, high GROUP.  There was some discrepancy on the user rights issue.  Again the changes of growth led one informant to say, “There used to be more freedom, and it used to be more needs oriented, but since it has grown there are more rules.”  The Schleife controls all offerings given and allocates them according to corporate priorities, high GROUP.  The maintenance of the facilities is a mix between a paid cleaning institute and help of those involved in ministry, high GROUP.  The question of disposal gave a high GROUP reply.  This was a hypothetical question since there really is no property to dispose of except for some office materials.

The Schleife is using its resources for ministry.  Risk is involved.  The general movement of the organization is into a somewhat higher GRID area.  This is causing some discrepancies concerning resources, hierarchy, and needs oriented resource allocation. 

F.                 Schleife Games Found in the Hierarchic Quadrant

Possible Strengths of Hierarchic Games: Shared leadership, Accountability to leaders to group and group to leaders, Organization and stability, unity and mutuality, training of workers and disciples of new

Possible Weakness of Hierarchic Games: Expert don’t always make good leaders, Dependency on expert leaders means that many others get marginalized, Using people without their gifts or individual needs, Strong traditions lock out creativity, Strong group involvement in decision making results in inaction and paralysis, Over dependence on structures, systems, experts and methods

1.                  Authority Game

The Schleife has moved into its second leadership era.  Geri Keller has given up the administrative leadership to his wife Lilo and is now consulting and preaching more.  Lilo Keller has taken over the administrative leadership chair in the team of 5; she leads the Schleife.  The authority game replies have the greatest gaps in response to the questions.  As the ministries grow, the lines of authority are also going through a metamorphosis. This was a discussion point for each of the informants.  The authority game average lies in the hierarchy quadrant, but almost in the middle of the graph (5.7 & 5.34).  Two respondents were in the authoritarian quadrants, one in the egalitarian and another in the hierarchical.   The average of all informants ended up in the hierarchical area which this author believes is the direction that the organism Schleife is going in the authority game. 

The GRID average of the informants was high GRID.  This is the only game played in the Schleife that is high GRID.  All members are ministers at the Schleife, but not all members are leaders.  The authority to minister is the only low GRID authority response.  Decision making is delegated to a few of the members who are expected to make decisions “in the spirit of the whole.”  The organization has clear leaders, but the ministries are somewhat autonomous high GRID.  The source of power is top down as it was in the beginning with Moses in the desert.  Power is delegated by the leadership team to staff in specific ways, high GRID.  There is some frustration about bottle necking decisions and who exactly is responsible for certain areas of ministry.  Control over labor, finances, and resources are held by the governing board of the Schleife, high GRID.  There is low GRID expectations of leadership based on the fact that ministries are open to all spirit-filled people.  Many lead in worship, teaching, and healing.  There are, however, pastors that preach and some ordained ministers.  One informant replied, “The Schleife is in a moment of change, and everything used to be focused on the leadership, but now that everyone is more mature, there are more freedom of responsibilities and leadership of small groups, etc.”  This statement indicates that the Schleife is leaving the more authoritarian form of authority.  

At the Schleife all of the members are seeking truth together.  Teaching prayer, the prophetic, and listening to God are important.  People value individual Bible study, with varying interpretations, and words of prophecy, low GROUP.  Membership, study and approval are required to become more deeply involved in the community, high GROUP.  The Bible and unity are valued by the community.  There is planning now to make joining more accessible, but it still is through ministry.  It is not the desire of the Schleife to take people out of their churches.  The Schleife is not a democracy, but an organism moving toward hierarchy.  There is not a clear path for making decisions, low GROUP.  The informant’s answers were 10, 3, 5, and 0 as to the expectations of leadership.  The replies included, “This is an area of confusion.”  “It is irritating when decisions are unclear.”  “It is important to define the decisions instead of being so general.” It seems that the lower level of leadership feel left out of decision making. 

Loyalty is intrinsic and leadership support is important at the Schleife, high GROUP.  This is fine as long as the leaders are right with God.  Loyalty is to the people and not the organization.  It is the lifestyle of reconciliation and community that welds the Schleife members together.  The majority of the Schleife members value long term loyalty and commitment to the Group.  It is a family that sacrifices personal interests for the general good.  One informant, however, felt that personal interests were higher than group interests.  This may just be a matter of opinion as no one can see another’s heart or motivation.

There appears to be a move at the Schleife from the authoritarian and egalitarian into the hierarchical game.  There is a momentary tension about who has and determines the last word in the leadership.  In the metamorphosis of the leadership structure, leadership expectations need to be set and analyzed.  Decision making and the communication of decisions have not yet evolved to a clearly structured protocol that can be communicated to the community.

Figure 2: Graph of all games

Figure 3: Average score combined over all games

G.                Concluding Analysis of the Social Games at the Schleife

The previous analysis of the social games at the Schleife leads to the following conclusions concerning the overall social games being played there. 

1.      The Schleife is a movement with a central leadership and community of members who work and worship together.  The Schleife does not want to be a church as defined in the Swiss culture or compete with churches.  A struggle for definition and identity as pilgrims is the counter cultural calling on this ministry and important to consider when examining its metamorphosis.  This personal identity is sometimes a prison and at other times a palace.

2.      The biblical focus and need to be a strong group of believers together with pioneering and entrepreneurial tendencies supports the conclusion that the majority of social games being played are egalitarian.  These include the conflict, labor, and property games.  High standards and expectations of Christian living and understanding were evident in many responses as well. Membership is no longer as exclusive as it was, and people who want to join are able to, if they chose to follow the fellowship rules.

3.      Property and resources are invested for ministry and the greater good of all involved in ministry.  The egalitarian use of property and resources including people is part of the Schleife philosophy.  Members and leaders can be seen at various events leading, managing, and carrying around equipment or doing various forms of menial labor.  The group goal is more important than the individual when it comes to ministry and service.  Risk taking in the Kingdom of God is an indication of a Pilgrim spirit.

4.      Ministry is the purpose of the Schleife. Furthering God’s kingdom is the often stated goal.  Each member is part of a ministry resort ultimately of his own choice.  Since this organization is young there are only a few “retired” members, but they too are involved in some form of service.  The youth are also expected to be a part of this egalitarian labor force. The focus of the Schleife is diverse but has started moving into a more evangelistic and missions oriented sphere.

5.      The Swiss culture is tolerant and politically neutral, diplomacy is intrinsic. The respondent’s conflict game scores were a flip flop between the individualistic and egalitarian quadrants which ended up showing the Schleife to play an egalitarian conflict game.  There is a tendency to refrain from conflict. Conflict management is not institutionalized in the Schleife and lies under the egalitarian mindset of factionalism, fragmentation, tending to appease or play to the status quo.

6.      The Bible, unity, and loyalty are fundamental to the Schleife members.  God is the highest authority.  The authority game at the Schleife has moved from the authoritarian into the hierarchical games.  The hierarchical score was the average Schleife authority game score.  This is clear among the leaders and a growing awareness of the members.

7.      In the Schleife metamorphose it is becoming increasingly vital for the structures and expectations of the leaders to be clear and transparent.  This is taking place more or less organically, perhaps too slowly for the liking of some. The movement appears to be migrating towards the hierarchical quadrant as the resort and cell leaders are delegated somewhat autonomous responsibilities. The leadership is becoming more decentralized.

8.      Next to ministry, worship is the heart piece of the Schleife.  Music, dance, teaching and financial support are all recognized as forms of worship.  Young musicians are being encouraged and supported by the leadership.  The Holy Spirit is important at the Schleife and there is a charismatic attitude and behavior among the members.  Prayer and the prophetic are taken seriously.  Gifts, deliverance, and healing are desired results of worship.  The individualistic worship game provides space for creativity and freedom of expression.

9.      The low GRID responses are indicative of the individualistic worship and community mindedness of the Schleife.   Individual worship, egalitarian property, labor and conflict, as well as hierarchal authority are in different quadrants, but they are basic to the Schleife.  Jesus said that we can be free in Him.  Schleife members appreciate being free alone and together in Christ and not too structured. 

H.                Resolving the Differences

Every church and institution plays social games.  When the games are analyzed and examined within a cultural context, it can help those involved in the ministries to understand and examine their service.  The goal is to be Christian pilgrims in our own social contexts.  These rectified and resolved differences in games and individual scores should also add insight into the direction of the social games at the Schleife.

1.      The Schleife plays several games which is quite normal for an organization.  All of the games are in the low GRID or not highly structured area, except for the authority game which is at the low end of the hierarchical segment.  The informant’s average replies to the authority game were in the same GRID range, but they were both authoritarian and hierarchical.  The new structures that have been set in place (see chart) recently and the new leaders who have been installed indicate a decentralization of power.  This indicates a hierarchical tendency.  The group aspect of the community is growing more important, as the group grows, power should be shared.

2.      The individualistic worship game is unanimous and also unique for Switzerland.  The informants indicated that the group activities of studying, fasting, and praying together have declined recently and there is a desire for more of this.  This would indicate a desire for a more egalitarian free form of worship.  This may occur when the new house cells are in place.

3.      Several informants indicated a desire for more biblical discussions of interpretation.  This need may grow as Geri becomes less of an authority and others are required to teach more.  This need may be a possibility for house cell groups to explore.

4.       The only informant who indicated that the Schleife plays the authoritarian game is a non-employed minister.  A further study could be made to determine whether or not the lay ministers, non-employed ministers, and non-members experience the games differently.  The fact that Geri is slowly giving up his responsibilities may account for a move from a central authority to decentralized authority.

5.      There are two areas of discrepancy in the authority area. There appears to be a bottle necking of decisions and some confusion and unclearness.  The informants all wished for a clearer form of communicating decisions.  Decisions and ideas need to be more concrete and communications thereof should be more understandable.  The new organization is a move in this direction.

6.      Growth in membership and tasks at the Schleife are creating new demands in the labor organization sector.  Here again there was a clear wish for better communication and clearer decision making, a unanimous need for clarity of tasks and responsibilities.  The charismatic Spirit guided visionary leadership is a collectivist egalitarian game, as it was in the first church.  The focus needs to be on servant leadership in this area or the game can cause frustration and confusion for the laborers. 

7.      The non-employed informant put the conflict score in the individualistic quadrant while the rest remained in the egalitarian sector.  This may also indicate a differing view according to function in the ministry and requires more data to resolve.

8.      The conflict area had erratic respondent replies and although there is a high group ethic of protection of the weakest and “being for” the individuals, the Schleife has no clear conflict management strategies.  Open conflict is avoided as the Swiss culture demands and biblical protocol and standards are quoted.  The area of conflict could be clarified and simplified by implementing and teaching the biblical metaphor strategy (see recommendations).

I.                   Final Comments

The Schleife is a living entity that wants to have its identity in Christ and is seeking the Pilgrim path.  The metamorphosis of this body is open to the Holy Spirit, but naturally the people and their culture and mindsets involved are also influential in all of the games.  The egalitarian resource game is well on its journey to be a Pilgrim game.  The freedom of individualistic worship is counter Swiss culture, but there is a longing for the practice of more group worship activities.  This aspect has somehow gotten lost in the development of other areas at the Schleife and is an area that will determine the overall future direction of the Schleife.  The confusion in the labor game needs to be studied, defined, and resolved by the Schleife leadership team.  Christ is the head of the body of Christ in the Schleife, so the question of authority boils down to submission as a response to the servant leadership biblical metaphor.   The leadership at the Schleife is well on its way in this journey as encouragers and “being for” the members.  The conflict game is culture bound at the Schleife and somewhat trapped in the Swiss mindset of control and denial.  A re-thinking of this area could lift the ministry closer to the Pilgrim lifestyle.  It is clear that the Schleife is seeking a Pilgrim path and accepting the worldly insecurities that this life brings with it.  They are consciously not succumbing to the palaces and prisons of the worldly culture by putting Christ first and walking the path of trust.

III. RECOMMENDATIONS

A.                Implications for Expanding Ministry

The Schleife is a Fellowship of Ministries modeled after a vision for serving the Body of Christ.  What began as a reply to a counseling deficit within the German speaking body of Christ has grown into an organism with many arms, legs and ministries.  The role of the Schleife has changed in its life time.  The organization has been an ice breaker for counseling, prayer, and the prophetic in Switzerland, a spring board other independent ministries, and protection for many leaders serving in ministry.  The social games that are played at the Schleife can be used as a basis for considering the direction that the ministry is going and any deficits that this ministry may have.  This part of this paper will make some recommendations for ministry that have been recognized during this study.  This study is not a quantitative one, but qualitative.  The recommendations are only recommendations.

1.      The vision of the Schleife is to serve the body of Christ.  Christ calls us to be servant leaders.  It is important to remember that the body of the Schleife Fellowship is the primary source of leaders and ministers for the various ministries in an egalitarian game. The people of the Fellowship need to be ministered to and are more important than ministry goals.  The Schleife took some time to take a break after the Levite Camp to recover.  This will surely renew the community’s strength and dedication. 

2.      There seems to be a general need and desire for more group spiritual disciplines, for instance, fasting, prayer, and biblical issues debates.  This would be an addition and enrichment to the individualistic worship that is now practiced.  The new Sunday services that will be held regularly may be the platform for this. 

3.      The exclusive membership rights which are an egalitarian trade mark that have been in place up until now may be causing some dissension between members and non-members.  It is good and positive that the Schleife has defined itself as a Fellowship of Ministries Movement and opened the doors to those who want to work together with the fellowship. 

4.      The insider/outsider mentality of an egalitarian system can cause some difficulties.  Another thing to think about is the roles of those who are retired or no longer able to minister.

5.      It would be helpful for the entire community to have a published organizational chart.  Ministry responsibilities can be somewhat regulated without becoming authoritarian or too hierarchically structured.  If the tasks remain unclear, there may be complaining and less productivity in the area of labor.

6.      The egalitarian labor of ministry is highly functional, but there is a lack of clear communication from the top down.  The decisions that are made should be clear and well communicated so that there is less frustration and confusion.  This could also help to avoid power struggles. The Easter retreat organization and vision focus was a great start at this.

7.      The authoritative era when Geri was the primary preacher is moving into a more hierarchical mode of sharing the task of teaching and preaching.  It is vital that the Schleife create space for others to practice and become efficient preachers and teachers.  Many of the preachers are older and will retire and this is an area that needs new talent and gifted people to be set free into the ministry of preaching and teaching.

8.      The Swiss conflict culture is compromising and avoids conflict.  The Schleife could rise above this cultural prison and build a concept for conflict management.  Although the Schleife teaches reconciliation, there are some issues among the members about conflict resolution that remain open. Matthew 18:15-17 is a good metaphor for this.  Installing it could help to overcome the desire to play to status quo and balance rules and regulations with freedom.  1) Restricting the scope of the conflict to “just the two of you.” 2) Restore relationships with those with whom we disagree. 3) Humbly rely on the counsel of others rather than on personal judgment. 4) Forgiveness. (Lingerfelter 162).  Since the informants replied so diversely in the conflict area, perhaps it is an area that could be taught again to the community.

9.      In the area of authority which is in the hierarchical quadrant it is important to remain servant leaders.  The definition of the Schleife as ministries should remain in the “spirit of the whole.”  It would be positive if the leaders would delegate tasks with clear definitions.  The responsibilities and competences of each member should be clear in order to avoid clogging of information channels.  It would be good to formulate closed ended orders and requests rather than open ended.  In this manner the leaders could gain more autonomy in their areas which would lead to more leadership growth.

10.  The Schleife is not a democracy; it is more egalitarian. A better definition is that it is an organism.  Within an organism each molecule should recognize its role according to the organisms DNA.  It is vital that people know their roles in ministries of the Schleife as well.  Although it could take some work, perhaps before the next large conference, the ministries could be defined and job descriptions developed for those who are ministering to refer to during the events.  This security for the members could improve productivity and the spirit of cooperation.

11.  The move toward evangelization and missions at the Schleife is another counter cultural step that is part of being pilgrims and Disciples of Christ.  This move may cause problems for the new believers who would like to become members.  It is a development in the right direction, but it would be wise to create a study and prayer group to consider the consequences and develop plans for a possible expansion of member growth.

B.                 Leadership Metaphors

Jesus shared His ministry with 12 men.  These men who were ordinary before they got to know Jesus became the first leaders of the Christian Church.  Christian leadership has more to do with following Christ than management.  It is a process of influencing others.  In the book Metaphors of Ministry: Biblical Images for Leaders and Followers by David W. Bennet, the author states, “I hold the teaching and example of Jesus and his apostles to be the authoritative norm for the church, for all cultures and for all times (Bennet 12).”  As a result of my analysis of the social games played at the Schleife, I would like to suggest the following metaphors for ministry.  These may be helpful for the Schleife leadership on their pilgrimage and mission.

1.                  Metaphors of purpose:

a)                  The Cross- Selfless love

The cross is our redemption from cultural bondage.  The cross overshadows all of our desires as we submit to Jesus and a life of pilgrimage.  The message of the cross is sacrifice, suffering, and death to the things of the world including ourselves (Lingerfelter 173).  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:23-25).” Following Christ is the best leadership training.  Agape is the love of Christ on the cross that we should be living and sharing with others.

The Schleife must be careful not to be selfish, but rather die to self and seek as well as serve the lost world.

b)                 Servant (diakonos) – Servant leaders are to serve the others

The attitude of love and selfless service is the essence of this metaphor. It was the servant hearts of each of those that were interviewed that said the most about the Schleife.  It is tough to be a humble servant, yet Jesus was absolute about his demand for this type of followers.  “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).  “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me” (John 12:26).  Servant leaders are to serve the others.

c)                  Spiritual House – Ministering to the Lord together

The Schleife is a place of worship and prayer, a spiritual house.  Worship could grow to be more of a communal effort, a whole building with all of the members interacting and participating.  In 1 Peter 2 verse 5, Peter writes, “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  Hebrews 13:15-16, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.  And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased,” and Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

2.                  Metaphors of identity:

a)                  Saints (hagios) – Set apart for God’s purpose. 

Schleife members have been set apart for a special relationship with God as they go through the metamorphosis of growing saints.   Saint is a synonym for Christian.  Paul writes about the saints and their calling in Ephesians 4.  Particularly verse 12 applies to the Schleife, “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” It is not easy to be a counter culture movement like the Schleife is, and defying all definitions of the church in a nation that is marked by State Churches is certainly a challenge.  Saints have privileges, however, in the Kingdom of God.  They are called by God, (Romans 1:7).  The Spirit intercedes for them (Romans 8:27).  They will judge the world (1 Corinthians 1:2).  They will receive a glorious inheritance ((Ephesians 1:18).  The privilege of citizenship are theirs (Ephesians 2:19).  They experience the love of God (Ephesians 3:18).  Mysteries are disclosed to them (Colossians 1:26).  They have been promised future glorification (2 Thessalonians 1:10).  In Revelation 19:8, the bride of the Lamb is dressed in bright, clean, fine linen, representing ‘the righteous acts of the saints.’  The metaphor ‘Saint’ should serve as an encouragement to continue being called out and different than the Swiss culture demands.

b)                 Friend (philo) – Friend of Christ

The members of the Schleife are Jesus’ friends; they spend time with Him.  The word philo is derived from the word phileo (to love).  It denotes companionship, closeness, and camaraderie.  “You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:14-15).

3.                  Metaphors of encouragement:

a)                  Aroma – Changing culture

It is the task of the Schleife to carry the aroma of Christ into the world.  In ancient Israel, aroma was considered a literal life-giving force.  The interesting thing about being an aroma is that it penetrates everywhere; it cannot be ignored.  “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).  As the Schleife moves into a place of more outreach, it will be a sweet aroma for God the Father and an instrument for changing cultures.

b)                 Crown – Over- comers

The crown is a special Schleife metaphor.  It represents the reward that is waiting for the loyalty and trust that the leadership has placed in God.  It is also something that the leaders have to take off of their own heads and lay before the throne of God.  In the end the crown will be returned to each member because Christ will return despite all of the opposition and obstacles.  “In that day the Lord of hosts will become a beautiful crown and a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people,” (Isaiah 28:5).  “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him,” (James 1:12).

IV. Appendixes

A.                The Authority Game

Introduction

The Schleife is an organism that has evolved and matured during its short life span.  Lingerfelter wrote, “In every society the question of authority resides ultimately in the distribution of power between the individuals and group.” The Authority Game is in flux and actually the only area of study that had clear chasms of differing opinions.  The definition and sharing of power has made a shift since the original Schleife was headed by Geri Keller, who has now given the primary leadership to his wife Lilo.  The Schleife is going through metamorphoses of its authority game during this games analysis.  Lilo chairs the leadership team with Alois, David, Andreas and Werner.  The authority game is in a period of refinement as the Schleife grows, and it becomes more necessary to provide a clear structure of organization to both the members and the non-member lay ministers.  The mid-grid structure indicates that a structure is in place that is neither top nor bottom heavy.  The group average lies in low hierarchy. The leadership that has been working for some time now on a new organization is headed in the direction of a loose hierarchy. (Average – GRID 5.7 GROUP 5.5)

Data Summary

Figure 4: Table A - Authority

Analysis of GRID Scores

1. Authority to Minister

Basically all informants agreed that the Schleife promotes the ministry of believers and recognizes special gifts (low GRID).  The emphasis was difficult for each informant to determine.  Since the Schleife is a Fellowship of Ministries, all believers who are members have a ministry.  Informant Adm said that not all members have leadership gifts putting him at a 2 on the GRID.  Informants LM and Sec felt that it is important that the members grant authority to the leaders.  (Average- 2.5)

2. Decision Making

A few of the members are empowered by many to make decisions at the Schleife (high GRID).  The high GRID replies were informants Adm and Sec with 8 and CD and LM with the score of 10.  It is clear here that decisions are made by leaders, but the Schleife structure has a composition that was difficult to reconcile with the standard translation of church board, staff and clergy.  The Schleife has a board of trustees for final financial decisions which is necessary for every Swiss non profit organization.  The church board we decided to define as the 5 person leadership team headed by Lilo, and the clergy as the Resort Leaders together with the main leadership team.  It was important to informant Adm that all of the decisions that are made by the “Leaders,” are in the Spirit of the whole.  There is an interesting difference between question 1, the authority to minister, which is low GRID and decision making which is high GRID.  This probably has to do with the definition of the Schleife and the leaders for the organization itself. (Average- 9)

3. Source of Power

Power is delegated by the leadership team or “board” to staff in specific ways (high GRID).  Informants CD LM and Sec answered that the leadership delegates power to the staff or “Resort Leaders” which is an 8 on the GRID.  Informant CD expressed some frustration with the bottle neck that seems to occur in the power question.  It is sometimes hard to figure out who exactly is responsible at times.  He felt it was, however, a matter of trust and an understanding of one’s own personal God given authority.  Informant Adm sees the pastor delegating to the lay ministry team, a 6 on the GRID.  The giving of power lies on a high GRID coordinate and indicates that it is given from the top down as Moses lead in the beginning  of the biblical desert journey of his people.  Informant LM felt power has to do with the anointing. This could be a factor that is changing as the Schleife reorganizes. (Average- 7.5)

4. Control of Resources

Control over labor, finances, and resources are held by the governing board of the Schleife (high GRID). There was an agreement on the control of the resources which is the leadership board.  They must, however, have approval by the Board of Trustees for any expenditure that exceeds 10’000 Swiss francs.  Each member of the Schleife tithes 10% of their income to the Fellowship and this is combined with the offerings and price that people pay for seminars, conferences and published materials.  Informants CD and Sec implied that the score was an 8 or that the budget and staff are controlled by the board.  These are again, I believe, a matter of translation more than differing opinions.  LM felt that the fact that individuals raise the finances more appropriate putting her answer as a 4 or lower GRID.  The answer to this question is a question of emphasis.  This particular informant has a more independent ministry than the other informants.  She is also one of the members who is a leader, but works on a free will basis without a salary. (Average- 7.25)

5. Expectations of Leadership

Do people look to peers for ministries of worship, teaching, baptism, healing, and prayer? Or do they look to limit some or all of these to ordained pastors and elders (low GRID)?  This is a tough question in the Schleife as the replies from the informants indicate Adm-0, CD-1, LM 6, and Sec 2.  This gives the average of 2.25 or a low GRID average reply. Everyone agreed that ministries are open to all Spirit –filled people.  It was also clear to all of the informants that many lead in worship, teaching, and healing, but as LM indicated with the answer 6, pastors normally preach and there is a group of leaders who are ordained ministers in the Schleife as well as resort leaders who do the primary public teaching to the Schleife Fellowship specifically.  When they are, however, having a conference for instance, many of the members are involved in teaching and other ministries. Informant Adm said that the Schleife is in a moment of change and everything used to be more concentrated on the leadership, but that now that everyone is more mature, there are more freedom of responsibilities and leadership of small groups. (Average- 2.25)

Analysis of Group Scores

6. Doctrine and Practices

People value individual Bible study, with varying interpretations, and words of prophecy in the Schleife (low group).  The answers to this question weighed in as the informers CD, LM, and Sec weighed in with a score of 2 and Adm with the reply that God may give prophetic vision to each.  This is not a surprising rating because one of the emphases of the Schleife is in the prophetic, teaching prayer, and listening for God is a high priority there.  It is expected that each member have a personal relationship with God.  The idea of doctrine and an authoritative system of belief was answered with the reply, “The Bible is our authority guided by the Holy Spirit of God” by LM.  Informant CD who gave a 2 in reply said, “All of the low group answers apply, we are all seeking truth together.

(Average- 1.5)

7. Membership

Membership, study, and approval are required to become a member and more deeply involved in the community (high group). This question was answered pretty unanimously with Adm, LM, and Sec replying with 6 and CD with 5, ministry leadership is by members only. Sec remarked that the Bible and unity are important. Membership in the Schleife would appear egalitarian to some.  The original group who moved out of the State Church with Geri Keller was made up of the people who had been praying and working with him in his church in Seen, Winterthur.  In the beginning when one had a call to join the Schleife on one’s life, and had worked together with the Fellowship for some time, the people could request to join. Then it was decided by the leadership whether or not that person fit.  With time, more people came along who had been working in teams and wanted to join and these were accepted on an individual basis.  Now, the new organization has planned for new members. They still come in through the ministry path often as families, but it is a clear path now.  After working in the ministries for some time, there are new member classes where the rules and responsibilities are explained.  The Schleife does not want to take people away from their churches or become a regular church.  It is a movement, not a church. (Average- 5.75)

8. Decision Making

There is not yet a clear path for making ministry decisions in the Schleife.  The answers to this question included a 10 Adm, 3 CD, 5 LM and 0 Sec (average 4.5, low-middle GROUP).  The informants varied in their opinions greatly.  This is an area of confusion.  Informant Adm with a ten said, that “it was a waiting until something was ripe in the Spirit and there was a consensus which would be according to Acts 15:22.”  He also said that practical questions could be decided individually, but that matters of principle should be in unity. Informant CD stated that it is irritating when decisions are unclear.  It is important to define the decision instead of being so general.  Informant Sec felt the leaders decide entirely.  It appears that the lower on the chain of leadership a person is, the less they have the feeling of deciding or being a part of the decision making process at the Schleife.  The Schleife is not a democracy, but an entity that is moving toward hierarchy.  Informant CD said, “We are in this place and it has to do with becoming a hierarchy.  It was like with Moses and the 70 people.  There is a right and critical moment to let go for growth.” (Average- 4.5)

9. Leadership Support

Do people follow leaders they admire, trust and find helpful or out of loyalty to the group process (high group).  3 of the informants answered with 10 (Adm, CD, and Sec) loyalty is more important than interest or leadership.  LM was in the high end of the low group with the response that people are loyal to leaders that help them.  The key to this question is a strong feeling of loyalty to the Schleife people, not the church.  It is relationships and the lifestyle of reconciliation that welds the Schleife together.  Considering the role of the Schleife often as an ice breaker in the Swiss evangelical scene, loyalty is of the utmost importance.  This is fine and correct as long as the leadership remains right with God.

(Average- 8.5)

10. Motivation

Members value long term loyalty to the church and commitment to the group and its values (high group).  The answers to this question included Sec 8, Adm 9, and CD 10 as well as LM 2.  The majority agree that members become a family and community and sacrifice personal interests for commitment and service.  The informant LM who replied with a 2 felt that many of those who attend hold personal interests higher than community.  This is, I believe, a personal opinion or attitude that is not the general consensus of the average Schleife member. (Average- 7.25)

Summary Analysis for the Authority Game

GRID:  The GRID average was 5.7 which is a higher GRID than the individualistic and egalitarian systems, but indicates a low structure for the hierarchy game.  The leadership changes that are currently taking place in the Schleife are evident in the answer to question 5 (Adm 0, CD 1, LM 6, Sec 2).   It is in this tension of determining who has the last word and who sets the ultimate final decision that the Schleife finds itself. Leadership expectations are being set and developed according to the Schleife metamorphoses. This period of what appears to be a move from authoritarian to hierarchical games is a transitioning phase.  It appears to be visible to all of the informants that this change is taking place.  They seem to be willing to work through it. 

Group: The GROUP average was 5.34 with two respondents Adm and CD in the high group range, Sec in the mid range as well as one respondent- LM in the low group range.  Questions 8, 9 and 10 seem to have very different values amongst the Schleife informants.  Decision making or question 8 and the communication of decisions have not evolved to a clear structure yet.  It appears that how the informants saw decision making depends on the level of authority and responsibility that the informant has within the organization.  In question 9, informant LM was much lower than the others, this may have to do with the specific nature of informant LM’s position at the Schleife.  The informant does confirm that loyalty is high amongst the members.  Question 10 was all over the scale and an indication that the people at the Schleife are individuals who are motivated by different legitimate personal elements.  It is interesting to note that just a few opinions skewed the average into mid group rather than a high group result.

Conclusion: The Schleife is playing a mid range hierarchy authority game.  It is a direction that the Schleife leadership has set its compass for.  There are some issues with clarity that will more than likely be determined as the new organizational structure that was presented to the Fellowship less than 3 weeks ago is implemented.  It is essential to the identity of the Schleife that its members are free to develop their gifts and vocations.  A group must also have a communal direction and this appears to be the Bible and the Holy Spirit in the Schleife.  If these values can be upheld, the Schleife is on the road as pilgrims. 

Figure 5: Graph A – Authority Game

B.                 The Property and Resources Game

Introduction

Property and resources are a means to an end in the Schleife.  The people, however, are what make material property and resources valuable according to Lingerfelter. They are clearly the primary resource that the Schleife has.  With a budget that fluctuates from year to year primarily depending on the events that are hosted during any particular year, the Schleife does not give resources symbolic value.  The Levite Camp in the summer of 2005 was a 5’000’000 Swiss franc risk undertaking that came out even.  Price Waterhouse Cooper, an accounting firm that did the internal audit for 2005, wrote at the bottom of the approved budget, “despite high risk, successful.”  The low GRID and high GROUP responses of those who were interviewed indicate that the Schleife plays an egalitarian property and resources game.  The answers were mostly homogenous except for GRID 1, Control. (Average GRID 1.5 GROUP 8.2)

Data Summary

Figure 6: Table B - Property and Resources

Analysis of GRID Scores

1. Control

The question was whether or not space is controlled and granted for growth of the Schleife or assigned according to status (middle GRID).  The answers of the respondents were Adm and LM with 1 and CD and Sec with 10.  The key word, according to “needs” was what seemed important to Adm and CD, but the control according to hierarchy was more important to CD and Sec.  CD and LM have no budget beyond their salary and Adm and Sec are responsible for financial decisions.  The decisions appear to be made according to priorities or ministry needs, not in the traditional form of an annual budget, but according to the programs, seminars and events that are planned.  There is a lot of confidence in the biblical affirmation of provision. (Average- 5.5)

2. Value

The facilities and resources are a means to an end at the Schleife (low GRID).  There was a unanimous answer to this question-0.  Even before the second option, Adm, CD, LM, and Sec responded that property is merely a means to ministry.  This is evident in the fact that the halls and rooms are rented and shared by all.  The Schleife is a ministry fellowship first and foremost.  (Average- 0)

3. Risk

Taking risks is a part of listening and trusting God, according to one respondent (low GRID).  Another comment was that there are no reserves or resources at the Schleife, its all about ministry.  Adm responded with 0 or that the resources are allocated totally for the expansion of ministry.  CD, LM, and Sec replied that resources are adjusted periodically according to a need which is certainly true. The yearly budget of the Schleife is not a stable or growing entity, but rather, it truly depends on the ministries that the Schleife does in that particular year. The answer 2-risk is the answer of the moment since the budget for 2005 was just approved by Price Water House Cooper, who obviously had to accept the fact that the Levite Camp paid for itself.  The question was asked by one of the auditors, “What would you have done if it didn’t work out?”  He got the reply, “I don’t know.”  (Average- 1.5)

4. Access

People assert their ministry needs according to their rights to property based on their ministry needs and effectiveness (low GRID).  There was no clear separation of the responses here.  Adm, CD, and LM, all agreed that access is gained by ministry need.  Sec felt that there was access as an equitable share as well as according to need and this gave her a 1 on the GRID.   (Average- .25)

5. Self-Esteem/ Ministry Esteem

The respondents answered that esteem at the Schleife has nothing to do with numbers, that more isn’t better, and that counseling for instance cannot be measured (low GRID). Ministry is not measured by financial success and prestige is not possessing or preserving, but rather serving.  Respondent CD felt that there was a bit of esteem for fundraising, but only a 1 on the scale. (Average- .25)

Analysis of GROUP Scores

6. Title

The space, resources, program/ liturgy are owned by the Schleife corporately (high Group).  There is an entity called the Board of Trustees, and they make all financial decisions that involve more than 10’000 Swiss francs.  Informants Adm, LM and Sec replied that there is corporate oversight of all ministry resources with a score of 8. Informant CD felt that there is a corporate ownership of all resources and allocation is defined according to need. (Average- 8.5)

7.  Use Rights

The individual church ministries hold use rights, and the church corporately assigns use of property and resources to its various ministries (high GROUP). Sec replied that the church sets the standards or use of certain private properties (middle GROUP).  For the rest of the informants there was a clear oversight of allocation and use of property. This is more of a conflict of definition than opinions.  Sec felt that each person was able to ask when they had a need, and then the resources would be allocated according to need.  LM said that there used to be more freedom and it used to be more needs oriented, but since it has grown there are more rules.  In a group where property is for ministry rather than esteem, this question was a matter of defining the words standards and allocation. (Average- 7)

8. Rights to Produce

The Schleife controls all offerings given and allocates them according to corporate priorities (high GROUP).  Informant Adm said that the finances are no secret, but not a matter of discussion.  The bookkeeping is open and there is an annual report.  The score of 10 or complete corporate control of finances and allocation of offerings was shared by Adm, CD, and Sec.  Informant LM said that it was a blend of corporate and individual offerings, corporate approval of offerings and corporate control which gave informant LM a score of 8.  There is also no discrepancy or conflict in the scoring of rights to produce. (Average- 9.5)

9. Maintenance

The maintenance of the facilities is also a mix between a paid cleaning service and the help of those involved in ministry (high GROUP).  Informants Adm and Sec stated that there is a corporate contracted cleaning service at the Schleife, which gave them the score of 8.  Informant CD said that there are both group activity maintenance and a cleaning service, which give him the score of 4.  Informant LM responded that the members are responsible for cleaning, meaning that they either do it or pay for it.  This gave her the score of 10.  There was no answer that skewed the average score. (Average- 7.5)

10. Disposal

The Schleife corporately controls and disposes of any and all ministry or other property (high GROUP).  Since the Schleife doesn’t own any property other than some desks, table and chairs, this question was a bit difficult.  We took for instance the idea that someone would want to sell their desk.  Would they be able to do this?  Informant Adm replied that it would be a corporate and ministry decision.  Informant CD and LM felt that corporate action is required for any disposal.  And informant Sec replied that corporate approval would be required of most disposal.  This was a hypothetical question since there has not been any disposal yet in the Schleife. (Average- 8.5)

Summary Analysis for Property and Resources at the Schleife

GRID:  The answers for the Grid questions were homogenous except for question 1.  There was a discrepancy about resources, hierarchy, and needs oriented resource allocation in this question.  The answers were 0 and 10, which are truly quite distant from one another.  The answers to this question could be an indication that there is a general movement in the Schleife toward more organization and GRID structure.  This may be filtering through the departments at different levels and frequency.  It was clear from the rest of the replies that everyone has the same feeling about finances.  They are used in the Schleife to further ministry and are allocated according to the needs.  The finances are composed of the members tithe and income from seminars, conferences and offerings at the regular Tuesday and Reithalle services.  Allocation is available to all, but they are given by the Leadership group of 5 or by the Board of Trustees if the sum is higher than 10’000.  The scores for Group were low GRID at an average score of 1.5.  This may mean that there is an emphasis on spiritual power and individual performance in the Schleife, whereas this is not evident here and may be seen better when we examine the Labor of Ministry and Conflict scores. (Average- 1.5)

GROUP:  Informant Adm said that the Schleife is not a company; there are no reserves.  It’s about ministry.  And the Group score for the 4 informants were quite similar.  The overall agreement between the informants indicates that the property and its purpose for the Schleife are clearly used for the needs that develop within the ministries and projects.  There is a high GROUP score with the average of 8.2.  There is a great value for corporate ownership and benefiting the whole.  (Average 8.2)

Conclusion:  The Schleife is playing a low GRID high GROUP egalitarian property and resources game.  There is no discrepancy of opinions about property and resources.  They are necessary to achieve the goal of ministry. The higher GRID replies of LM and CD could be because they are both not involved in the administrative ministries, rather counseling. God seems to provide for his own in the Schleife.  Although everyone laughs now about the risk that the Levite Camp was, God pulled everything together as usual. 

Figure 7: Graph B - Property and Resources Game

C.                 The Labour of Ministry Game

Introduction

The Schleife calls itself a labor and ministry fellowship.  There are various levels of labor commitment in the organization.  The 5 person leadership team members are all full time Schleife employees; Lilo Keller is the head of this group.  Then there are other paid employees who have various functions.  The rest of the community is involved in lay ministries that are more or less energy and time consuming.  Most of the Schleife Fellowship members are laboring in more than one ministry.  There are also resort leaders who run different areas of service, as well as life cell leaders (house groups).  Outside of the inner circle of the fellowship, there are volunteer lay ministers who are regularly asked to help with larger events.  These individuals are so to speak lent from the local church for specific tasks.  All of these groups fit into Lingerfelter’s definition of labor, “Labor in contrast, is a social process, carried on by two or more people in organized cooperation.  The focus of the concept of labor is on human relationships and the cultural organization of work.”  In the ministries at the Schleife as the name Schleife would indicate- to smooth and polish, cooperation and laboring together are an important training ground and is experienced by each member individually.

(Average GRID 3.45 GROUP 5.75)

Data Summary

Figure 8: Table C - The Labour of Ministry

Analysis of GRID Scores

1. Organized

The work at the Schleife is organized by skill – people change jobs as tasks change, and it is also organized in terms of a clearly defined job title, description, and work rules (low GRID).  Sec replied that the ministry coordinator, not the people chose the tasks.  This appears more on the volunteer or lay ministry level.  Adm and LM answered, skilled/gifted persons coordinate appropriate ministries.  Adm answered with a 6 that skilled /gifted people oversee appropriate ministries.  The emphasis by all of the informants was that the gifting and character of those who are in ministry are the important determining factor for the level of ministry leadership that each can have.  Adm said that qualifications are equal to character.  The average is a middle 4 or low GRID organization.  (Average- 4)

2. Scheduled

The work is variable according to external or worker contingencies (low-middle GRID).  Some of the events are regular and others are spontaneous.  The tasks are shared and performed by different people according to schedule.   The paid employees write down their time for control of the legal hours and vacation rights.  There is also compensation for those who have overtime because of conferences or seminars.  The schedule is created around social events and interests.  A counselor does not have office hours when there is a conference because that person will be working at the conference in another capacity then.  The respondents Adm, CD and LM all replied with a 4, while respondent Sec felt that there was also an everyday routine that should be taken into consideration.  The replies were pretty much the same.  (Average- 4.25)

3. Productivity

Productivity is measured primarily in terms of effort and goals achieved. There is, however, a small link to time limits or production quotas (low GRID).  CD said, “It isn’t how many people that I counsel.  It is how I can help people get stable in the word. It’s not counting 500 people, stability is the key word, and it is not measurable.”  The informant did, however, say that there are some numbers available that count people, but they are not important.  Adm and CD felt that ministry goals are situationally defined – 0.  CD thought that if there was a way of measuring it would be spiritual effort vs. spiritual results -6.  Sec replied that goals are the manner of measurement in the Schleife -2.  The average gives a low GRID score.  The various ways or thoughts about measurement were a new question for each of the informants which indicate that efficiency schemes are not in place here and this supports a low GRID reply. (Average- 2)

4. Motivation

People who labor at the Schleife are motivated by interest, self-direction, or basic needs.  Informant Adm laughed and replied that motivation for ministry should be spiritual per definition.  This question was a bit difficult because it made the informants think not only of their personal motivation, but also that of the others in the Schleife.  Adm replied that it was the personal call on a life that motivates those who work at the Schleife -0.  CD felt that there was quite a bit of motivation due to competitive feelings -4.  LM answered with a 1 that personal call and mutual growth were decisive in the question of motivation.  Informant Sec said that mutual growth and success define the motivation to minister with the Schleife -3.  It is certain that the category is low GRID and that the interests are self-defined, not according to role and reward.  People are not basically motivated by status at the Schleife.  (Average- 2)

5. Objectives

The answers to whether or not the expected outcomes of labor are defined and directed by those who do the work or the authorities direct the workers objectives were divided between (high GRID and LOW GRID).  This gave a 4.5 or (middle GRID) average for this question.  Informants Adm and LM replied that the goals and effort criteria are defined by those carrying out the ministry -2 (low GRID).  Informants CD and Sec said that church leaders set goals and direct labor -8 (high GRID).  This question has two dimensions at the Schleife.  The leaders of the Schleife do set goals or decide what the programs will be.  It is, however, possible within the project to define and direct the processes as ministers within the framework.  It appears that the leaders who are higher up the ladder of leadership see the issue from a different point of view from those a bit lower.  This is another indication that the Schleife leaders are moving from the egalitarian system into a hierarchy.  The leaders at the top are already practicing and thinking in terms of hierarchy, but those below are not yet recognizing these changes.  The average score is 5, which is right in the middle between high and low GRID. (Average- 5)

Analysis of Group Scores

6. Initiated / Planning

Planning and assignments are done by persons or resort leaders as well as the leadership team (high GROUP).  The range of replies to this question were quite large from 3-9.  Informant Adm answered with a low Group 3 including individual plans and recruited workers supervise by the church which would apply to larger events and seminars.  Informant CD said that the majority as well as church rule are a matter of defining the different groups.  One informant said “Decision making is difficult in the Schleife.  Who is responsible is sometimes hard to figure out.  What are my competencies and spectrum of authority?  Like whom I employ or when I want to do something new.  There is a bottle neck with these types of decisions.  The main concept is trust.  According to my God given responsibility, how much can I delegate?  We are in this place and it has to do with becoming a hierarchy.  It was like with Moses and the 70 people.  There is a right and critical moment to let go for growth.”  The scores of LM and Sec were 6, which is also high GROUP and indicates that the ministry team does its own organizing.  The average for these answers is 6 or high GROUP.  These answers indicate that the Schleife is not so ridged that all decisions go through the same process.  It depends on the ministry and who is leading it.  The previous leader, Geri Keller, is internationally known for his selfless servant leadership as well as his ministry for reconciliation between the Jews and Swiss as well as the Amish and the Swiss. This can be positive and negative for the workers.  It would indicate that a spirit of competition for power needs to be avoided. (Average- 6)

7. Focus / Coordination

The focus and coordination at the Schleife can be placed at the (middle GROUP).  It is an activity focused cooperation as well as somewhat corporately organized.  An informant said, “It irritates me when I am given a task that isn’t clear.  Then I run in circles and present my findings or work.  It is often so that then the leaders say, well, I didn’t think of it just like that, why don’t you try more, so and so… This is frustrating.  It is important to define what we want without being too broad.  If it is too broad, the definition disappears.  When we change structure, it is really important how this is communicated.  It is like the difference between grace and law – the Spirit and law…this is consistent.  Tell me what you want and I can do it that way.  The range of scores for this question was between 4 and 6.  The Schleife functions differently at different levels according to one informant. This indicates a mutual commitment of members on a long term basis and that the majority of the Schleife follow the leaders on assignments.  The average was a 4.75 or very middle GROUP score. (Average- 4.75)

8. Interaction

The unity and relationships of the Schleife are as important as the work activities (high GROUP).  There were 3 scores of 8 from CD, LM and Sec, that social interaction is integral to ministry.  Adm thought that ministry and social interaction intermingle but are distinct.  The name Fellowship of Ministries indicates that both community and service are of primary importance to the Schleife. (Average- 7.5)

9. Integration / Team Work

The Schleife is strongly social with corporate eating, rituals, symbols as part of the work (high Group).  Labor is integrated by symbol.  The main ritual that is practiced often is communion.  This is practiced regularly at all Fellowship meetings as well as often before ministry service.  Eating meals together is also practiced during seminars and conferences as well as at the Reithalle Service and every Tuesday lunch time before the Revival Service.  The range of answers was between 5 and 9 for this question.  Informant Adm said that relationships are encouraged in non-fellowship settings and that the community consists of Christian relationships -5.  Informant CD and Sec were adamant that a community is relational -6.  The high GROUP aspect of labor is very important to the leadership team building, and team work is a high priority for all of those who were interviewed. (Average- 6.5)

10. Payment / Pay-Off

The people who are gainfully employed at the Schleife are paid privately and personally according to their contract (low GROUP).  Those who are working as lay ministers are recognized sometimes with hand clapping or some flowers.  There is less of this than more.  Meals, parties and retreats are the celebrations that the entire community shares together.  The range of scores varied on this question from 0-6.  Informant A said that ministry is its own pay off although this informant is a paid employee.  Informant B replied that achievements that are outstanding whether from a paid employee or anyone else are recognized publicly and that the church cares for its ministers.  Often at conferences or seminars the teams are recognized with applause.  Informants C and D recognized fellowship group celebrations and felt that the Schleife cares for its own.  The only discrepancy is the 0 and this seems to have to do with the usual manner of paying people according to contract. (Average- 4)

Summary Analysis for the Labor of Ministry Game

GRID: The GRID average was a 3.45 which is a low GRID score. At the Schleife, “the goal of the activity leads to objective requirements for the organization of social labor.”  Productivity is not consciously measured at the Schleife.  There is a bit of the mystic involved in this.  This fits together with the mystic and the importance of the Bible and the Holy Spirit at the Schleife.  Many things cannot be measured because they are done according to biblically educated impressions rather than scientific evidence.  Objectives are also subject to the mystic or prophetic aspect of the Schleife.  They are set by the leaders and able to be modified with the workers.  There is a new movement in the Schleife out of the egalitarian into the hierarchy game.  The low GRID Labor of ministry game contains freedom for those who can work with little clear structure, but also difficult for those who need clear lines and rules in order to minister effectively.

GROUP: The GROUP average for the labor game at the Schleife is 5.75.  This is middle GROUP toward the high GROUP.  In the planning (1) and focus and coordination (2) questions there seems to be some discrepancy of opinions.  There appears to be a lack of communication that could be causing some inefficiency.  The low GRID labor and ministry game seems to be affecting the higher GROUP game and causing some degree of frustration among the laborers.  The views on the GROUP game were quite diverse and less consistent than the GRID scores.  Perhaps the communication and definition of goals and direction need to grow more concrete for the phase of growth that the Schleife has now entered.

Figure 9: Graph C - The Labor of Ministry Game

D.                The Conflict and Political Interest Game

Introduction

The Conflict and Political Interest Game in middle-Europe is different than that in the United States.  There are no channels for dealing with conflict, and it is not socially acceptable to express differences openly, although many times a Swiss may seem quite blunt to an American thinking person.  Diplomacy and personal discipline as well as neutrality are highly held social values.  The word tolerance is an important factor socially as well as personally.  One informant commented, “Conflict is the history of the church but it is a question of truth.  Seeking truth gives conflict.”  Although this informant remarked wisely, later the informant said, “I tend to carry conflicts around with me.”  The conflict culture at the Schleife is biblically informed and the School for Prophecy and Reconciliation bear witness to the desire of the community to be pilgrims in this area.  Interestingly enough, the scores in this game are somewhat erratic as compare to other games where there is greater consensus. (Average GRID 4 GROUP 5.35)

Data Summary

Figure 10: Table D - Conflict and Political Interest

Analysis of GRID Scores

1. Channels

People try to create personalized networks and utilize these to manage interpersonal conflicts although the Schleife teaches and defines institutional channels through which communication should proceed (low GRID).  The range of scores for this question, from 0 to 6, is an indication that there is no functional consensus for conflict in the Schleife. Respondent Adm felt that Jesus advice to go directly to the person that one has conflict is the way of the Schleife.  His functional score was 1.  Respondent CD said that everyone is in danger of forming networks within a conflict situation and the issue depends on the loyalty of the parties involved and that people are expected to ask influential pastors, etc. to intercede.  This is a score of 4.  Respondent LM held to going directly to the concerned parties -0.  Respondent Sec was on a high GRID level with this answer and felt that there is a dependency on formal and institutional channels where pastors and elders are expected to lead in conflict resolution. (Average- 2.75)

2. Outcome

People rely on stratagem rather than church structure at the Schleife (low GRID).  These scores filled the entire range of the category “Finessing the outcome.”  Most of the Schleife members have had their share of other churches and ministries.  Most of the members are so to speak “burnt stones.”  There is a lot of caution and respect for others in relationships.  Informant Adm and Sec cleaved to biblical principles and believe that individuals negotiate resolution.  Actually, in order to gain power in the Schleife, the biblical principles must be respected and followed.  This does not practically mean that everyone is on the right path.  Although respondent CD replied that pastors are expected to lead in conflict resolution, his answer included that biblical principles, prayer, and no bitterness are vital to conflict resolution -4.  Informant LM was also in the low GRID score, transparency was considered essential by this informant.  This person felt that there was a mix of finessing and powering the outcome in the Schleife.  (Average- 2.25)

3. Code

People use relationships and work the network to subvert the powerful, and leaders use customary code to legitimize dominant relationships in the Schleife (low GRID).  The answers for this area both lie in the low and high GRID zones.  Informants Adm and CD both felt that `Christianity’ is to be followed for everybody’s good -4.  Informant LM flew out of the category into high group with the reply -8- that leaders appeal to biblical truth to validate decisions.  Are the answer 4 and 8 very different from each other?  Respondent Sec replied that personal interpretation is modified by others perspectives which is a rational response.  The average of these scores is 4.5.  This is mid grid on the low end.  (Average- 4.5)

4. Process

Again, the answers to this question are all over the board (low GRID).  The range is from 1 to 8.  One informant said that those who are communicative have the advantage of group dynamics.  Informant Adm replied that the pastors specify the process to be used -6.  We had to make up a hypothetical conflict to examine this question.  Informant CD answered that people chose strategies according to individual priorities and that cliques and factions negotiate conflicts -1.  Respondent LM remained in the low GRID area with the reply that leaders seek to influence a settlement through spiritual directive.  And as a supplement to all of this disunity of opinion, informant Sec went into the high GRID with an 8, pastors serve to arbitrate or mediate between parties.  The meaning of all of these discrepancies is that each of the members has their own method of process for conflicts and there is no general Schleife protocol for conflict. (Average- 5.25)

5. Time

If there were to be a dispute that involves the leadership of the Schleife, the time factor in settling the dispute would be defined by institutional church context (middle GRID).  The scores of this question were more unified here.  The range was between 4 and 6.  Respondents Adm and LM replied with a 6- that the pastors would specify the timeframe in any large or hot conflict.  There was also consensus between informants CD and Sec with 4-5 range scores.  Pastors and friends influence the time for reconciliation.  (Average- 5.25)

Analysis of GROUP Scores

6.  Networks

The founder of the Schleife, Geri Keller is an example of a person who is always willing to humble himself and selflessly reconcile differences.  The Schleife members are willing to sustain economic losses to support valued relationships in the fellowship (high GRID). There are multiple networks of relations.  Respondent Adm said that fellowship members would relinquish resources to preserve relationships.  Again, money is not a motivating factor for the Schleife.  Respondents CD and LM are cautious with the reputations of conflicting parties.  Networking for or against a person seemed to be a well known tactic that  is avoided by the people of the fellowship, not that it never occurs, but talking about others is an issue and matter of teaching.  Lilo told the members of the fellowship at the yearly retreat that she and Geri have some stones on their table to remind them not to talk about other people negatively or judgmentally.  Respondent Sec said that there are some factions, but that resources are not allowed to become a major issue.  (Average- 6.25)

7. Consensus

This question had a range of answers between 0 and 6 which gives the average score of 2.5 (low GROUP). Depending on the situation there are independent decisions by individuals and private bargaining, but the church does demand consensus decisions in issues that affect everyone.  There was a problem in a house cell that escalated to a point where the board of leaders took a stand and invited the whole house group or life cell to a discussion.  Respondent Adm who tends to think in principles felt that the leaders seek the best interest for the majority -6.  Informants CD and Sec replied that members coalesce around interests and bargain for them -2.  Respondent LM replied that the members do what is right in their own eyes -0.  The differences of opinion in this question indicate that there is no set given protocol for dealing with conflict.  The biblical principles are the framework for conflict, but these are open to some personal interpretation.  The leadership, however, does have the power to reach into conflicts and work with those who are conflicting on a solution. (Average- 2.5)

8. Vulnerability

There is a clear desire to protect the vulnerability of fellowship members (high GROUP).  The teaching about how Noah’s son covered him is held high in the fellowship and it is a principle in the Schleife.  3 of the respondents replied with -10; protecting member’s vulnerability is more important than resolution.  Respondent LM replied that church members are cautious concerning the reputation of conflicting parties.  There was a new member at the Schleife who had been through lots of difficult situations and shut out of a lot of Christian circles in Switzerland.  Geri publicly washed this man’s feet at the fellowship Easter retreat in order to demonstrate that this man could start over and that no one had the right to judge him.  Respondent Adm said, “You can ask, but also in the end leave it standing. Protection of the weakest personality is important.  Jesus treated Judas like a friend until the very end.”  There is a high GROUP consensus about vulnerability.

(Average- 9)

9. Mediation

Mediation plays a role on social disputes and compromise is a primary strategy at the Schleife (high GROUP).  Three respondents replied with -8 Adm and CD -10 Sec to this question.  Respondent LM skewed the result with a -0.  This response had more to do with the personal preference in leadership of respondent LM than the actual practice at the Schleife.  The typical Swiss compromise for harmony -8 is certainly a cultural principle and one of the Schleife as well.  If there is a big problem at the Schleife Adm and CD felt that there is mediation that takes place to preserve fellowship harmony.  Informant LM works often independently of the Schleife and has the most experience with these groups who debate publicly under the respondent’s leadership.  Although this person also replied that there are never problems that need mediation in these particular ministries.  Despite this reply, mediation is a method of conflict resolution in the Schleife and the Schleife remains high GROUP including mediation. (Average- 6.5)

10. Confrontation

People in Switzerland and The Schleife do not value open confrontation (low GROUP).  This is a culture where self control is highly held as a virtue.  The replies were all in a low GROUP range.  Respondent Adm replied that the Schleife wants openness, but the question is how we confront.  Again this is a question of character -0.  Respondents CD and LM said that people confront openly on conflict issues, but concern for fellowship harmony tends to moderate public disagreement.  The answers all confirm a low GROUP confrontational style at the Schleife.  (Average- 2.5)

Summary Analysis for the Authority Game

GRID:  The GRID values are hectic and differ between the informants.  There is no standard protocol for conflict solution in the Schleife (low GRID).  The biblical principles for conflict solution and loving your neighbor are in place, but this is a matter of character, and each member is at a different place.  The Schleife relies on character rather than structure.  This could become a problem as the fellowship grows.  The individuals are cautious in relationships due to the fact that most of the members have many experiences in ministry.  There is a great desire from all of the members that this new form of fellowship is successful and all participants are hyper aware that fellowships and churches are fragile.  When push comes to shove in the Schleife, the leadership team will reach into a conflict and decide how to reconcile it.  The key word is reconciliation and this is practiced with passion in all levels of the Schleife.

GROUP:  One of the sentences that are often heard at the Schleife is: We are for you.  This is important to know and difficult to understand for those who come to the Schleife from other institutions.  There is a high GROUP conflict culture at the Schleife and this is somewhat difficult to get used to.  The leaders try to be the servant leaders with all of their hearts and flesh they struggle to lift up others.  There is also a spirit of protection in the Schleife.  Since the ministry has a lot to do with counseling many of the members work in this area and are aware of the wounds or rejection among other wounds.  Belonging and being accepted are the primary step of membership in the Schleife.  The “Herrenhüter” fellowship with Graf Von Zinzendorf is often held up as an example of a successful Christian community.  GROUP is growing more important in the Schleife and GROUP is strong in conflict resolution there.

Conclusion:  The culture of conflict at the Schleife is low GRID and high GROUP.  The GRID area needs some thought and clarification so that the members know how to deal with conflict issues.  It is good to protect the weak and to die to self.  To take this one step further, it would be good to develop and teach a loose protocol for conflict resolution. This could be taught in a way that makes it contemporary for the Schleife Fellowship.

Figure 11: Graph D - The Conflict and Politics Interest Game

E.                 The Worship Game

Introduction

One of the Schleife primary emphases is worship.  God lives in worship.  The Bible verse in Rev. 4:11, ““Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” where all of heaven worships God is a primary image for the Schleife worship.   We practice what we will do for eternity in worship.  There are many aspects of worship both musical, dances, financial and teaching that are important to the Schleife.  In a time of worship all of those present are encouraged to be led by the Holy Spirit.  There are often times to bare testimony to what God has done in people’s lives at both the public and fellowship services.  The Schleife Fellowship meetings usually all contain a time for worship and seeking God.  Even before a counseling afternoon or seminar, prayer and worship come first.  There is also often a time for communion as well.  Each Schleife Fellowship meeting ends with communion.  The public services do not include communion.  The Schleife wants all ministries to come out of worship and prayer which is a very high goal in deed. (Average- GRID 3.35 GROUP 3.55)

Data Summary

Figure 12: Table E - Worship

Analysis of GRID Scores

1. Leaders

Worship is led by those with professional education and ordination; there is a hierarchy of worship and teaching specialists at the Schleife (high GRID).  It is important to note that a large number of the Schleife members are pastors, worship leaders and musicians.  The task of leading worship and services are shared by all who are qualified.  Respondents Adm, CD, and LM all answered with -8; senior pastors lead, preach and ordained staff support worship ministries.  There is some question of definition to some of the words since the German and English expressions mean somewhat different things.  We are considering ordained staff to be those called to a position in the Schleife.  Respondent Adm felt that the ordained pastor leads supported by trained volunteers.  This informant felt that the music was made by professionals, but the preaching and teaching was often done by non-professionals who received coaching form the leaders. The scores are very close and probably only differing in definition.  Overall the leaders in worship are high GRID and organized. (Average- 6.5)

2.  Spiritual Power

Spiritual power is believed to be available for all believers for ministry in the Schleife (low GRID).  This is an unstructured view of spiritual power.  All of the answers: spiritual power is available to the seeker, power is manifest to many in tongues, prophesies, and healing as well as some have special gifting from the Spirit.  The fact that spiritual power is available to every seeker is, however, the most important aspect in this question to all 4 respondents.  The fact that all Christians are priests of God is important to the Schleife whose goal is more or less to set Christians free for their vocations.  (Average- 0.5)

3. Focus

The focus of the Schleife is on worship music and teaching that leads to personal experience of the presence and power of God (low GRID).  The focus is vision and power as well as social / spiritual transition and maturity.  Respondent Adm said that the focus lies somewhere between seeking spiritual filling and seeking spiritual gifts at the Schleife.  Respondents CD and LM felt that seeking filling are primary for those who are in the fellowship.  Respondent CD answered with both -0 and -6.  This informant was of the opinion that there are 2 groups, those who seek filling and those who are seeking spiritual growth and maturity in worship, “Spiritual power is personal and you are responsible with your heart.  It is not power, but seeking to live a relationship with God.  Maturity is a result of living the life.”  (Average- 1.75)

4. Outcome

Worshippers expect healing of physical, psychological, and spiritual maladies as well as repentance from sins and increasing maturity for a sanctified life and ministry (high GRID).  The answers to this issue were spread between healing and restoration and atonement and sanctifying maturity.  All of the informants replied that this question is too static.  All of these things are available in worship.  The visitors of the public services are often seeking personal healing and restoration.  The Fellowship members seek this as well as maturity to minister.  One informant replied that worshippers at the Schleife are seeking new experiences with God. Informant Adm replied that repentance leads to a changed life and maturity in ministry which is certainly a Schleife principle when were the counseling area of ministry.  Informant CD felt that all of these things are available in worship giving a score of -5, “God lives in worship; he makes things happen. Informants LM and Sec felt that worshippers simply restored spiritual life and service -4.  The average is a high GRID score. (Average- 5.25)

5. Function

Worship in the Schleife includes acknowledgement of demonic powers and spiritual warfare.  Most of the Schleife members have attended classes by Charles Kraft as well as other individuals who teach about the enemy. One of the informants commented, “Worship is something that we do all together.  Worship is help to express.  It is personal.  Worship is like prayer, for one healing, for another it is repentance…worship is also a method of warfare.  If Jesus is in worship then the devil will flee. Informants Adm, LM, and Sec replied that there is deliverance from evil, illness and so on in worship -2.  Informant CD felt that everything can happen in worship. (Average- 2.75)

Analysis of GROUP Scores

6. Ideology

There are no roots of conflict in the Schleife according to one informant.  It is a story of men and women of God who lived with power (low GRID).  Of course, the history of Christianity is full of conflicts, but it is truth that divides, according to the same informant.  The informants were relatively homogenous in this reply.  Informant Adm relied that the people look to heroes of faith.  Respondents CD and Sec answered with -5 that congregations emerged around persons of faith and heroes define the battles for truth.  Respondent LM that there are men and women of power who draw others to them and the persons and stories of faith bring forth members. (Average- 4.25)

7. Experience

The members of the Schleife worship, study, pray and fast together to hold steadfast to their faith and to seek the direction of God (high GROUP).  It used to be the whole community that did these things together, but since the size of the Schleife has increased so much, there are smaller groups that practice these things together.  There may be little awareness of this amongst the members.  Informant Adm felt that the congregation fasts and prays together to seek direction and power -8.  Respondents CD and LM felt that fasting, self-discipline, study, and prayer bring spiritual insight and power. Informant Sec said that that there are both personal and communal seeking of insight and power.  The experience of God is important to Schleife members. (Average- 5.5)

8. Knowledge

Individuals in the Schleife study and interpret the Bible independently and even at odds with others (low GROUP).  One of the informants thought that there is a lack of public and private debate about interpretations of the Bible.  The scores of this subject are between 0 and 6 which is a large range.  Informant Adm replied that there is a leader who is a faithful teacher, and this is enough for the group -6.  Respondent CD felt that there is a need for dispute and discussion and that there is little space for this in the Schleife -0, individuals rely on private interpretations of Scripture.  Respondent LM also said that there is not enough discussion of Scripture interpretation in the Schleife, not enough discussion of theology.  The reply from ML was that the interpretation that seems to be working at the moment is accepted – 2.  Respondent Sec mixed debate about interpretation with following biblical teachers -3.  All of these scores bring a low GROUP result to the fore of knowledge. (Average- 2.75)

9. Identity

There is a (low GROUP) response to the question of identity.  One respondent replied that, “our identity is in Jesus; therefore we have less tradition and more freedom.  We have our own internal language and style.  We try to act and live out of love to God and one another. The responses were similar with Adm -3 and CD, LM, and Sec with -2.  People define their identity in God with private symbols and ritual.  Meaning comes from personal encounter in the Schleife.  Personal sharing encourages others and group worship must have personal significance.  (Average- 2.25)

10. Response

The word “celebration” is not used under Christians in Switzerland, yet in this reply, the respondents felt that celebration, worship and fellowship are an emphasis in the Schleife fellowship (low GROUP). Adm, LM, and Sec replied with -4; celebration worship brings hundreds of individuals together in praise.  This is true of conferences and larger events that the Schleife hosts.  Respondent CD replied that conscious worship celebration, repentance, and discipline are the response to worship.  (Average- 3)

Summary Analysis for the Worship Game

GRID:  The Schleife is a place of worship and it is considered a celebration. Worship is the goal, the response, and the place where God is.  The people of the Schleife are basically people who have given themselves to God and want to serve Him and move in their lives in the direction that God wants them to.  The low GRID response of the informants indicates that worship is practiced but not institutionalized.

GROUP:  There is a low GROUP response to worship. Prayer and all of the other spiritual disciplines are practiced by most of the fellowship members without question in private.    This private relationship with God culminates in group celebrations.  The responses of the various respondents are exciting because their hearts are right and they are seeking God.  Worship is a big deal in the Schleife and despite the various personalities; it is practiced in the group.

Conclusion:  The Schleife is playing an individualistic worship game.  The desire to seek God and have personal relationship is an important facet of the Schleife.  The individuals who chose to join this fellowship are those who want to have a radical walk with God.  The individual stories that have led each member into the fellowship are full of indications that each person has spent time in other organizations gaining maturity and experience in the Christian cake before they have come to this organization.  Could the Schleife be a fellowship of individual worshippers who are willing to give up independence to fill up God’s wish for unity? (John 17).

Figure 13: Graph E - The Worship Game

F.                 Summary Graphs

Figure 14: Scatter Graph of all Values

Figure 15: Graph of All Games

Figure 16: Table of Values of All Games

! V.    Bibliography

Bennet, David W. 1993. Metaphors of Ministry: Biblical Images for Leaders and Followers. Eugene: Wipf & Stock.

Guder, Darrell L. 2000. The Continuing Conversion of the Church. Grand Rapids: Williams B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Lingerfelter, Sherwood. 1996. Agents of Transformation: A Guide for Effective Cross-Cultural Ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

Lingerfelter, Sherwood. 1998. Transforming Culture: A Challenge for Christian Ministries. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

Snyder, Howard. 2002. Decoding the Church: Mapping the DNA of Chris’s Body. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.