© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

Living System Ministry

Asking System Questions

Training Ourselves to Think Systemically

Two questionsWhat is the difference between these two questions:

“How do I do the job?”

“How does the job get done?”

© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

“How do I do the job?”Asking this question casts a narrow vision, limiting the answer to: my energy level my resources my perception my own capacity

for problem solving

To see system-wide change, we must move the focus away from ourselves!

© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

“How does the job get done?”System questions acknowledge that there is a large, living social system at work, leading us to: have a learning attitude learn how the system works look for system-wide,

macro solutions understand how the

system is dealing with the issue

© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

System question examples “How is housing for the poor being provided?” “How are Christian leaders preparing their own

training programs?” “How are churches started in this city?” “How does crime get stopped?”

Can you think of others?

© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

Organization vs. organismHow about asking: “How does my church or

ministry do the job?” This question is still not enough because it:

Ignores the living system design of your organization Neglects how your ministry fits into the larger social

system around it

Asking system questions helps us overcome our tendency to see

ORGANIZATION rather than ORGANISM.

© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center