Patrick Butler: Another Look

Archeologists recently discovered documents proving the existence of nonprofit organizations as far back as biblical times. Perhaps most intriguing was the discovery — in several well-preserved parchments — that some mishaps entangling today’s religious nonprofits and those of thousands of years ago were strikingly similar.

One scroll read, “In The Beginning.”

IN THE BEGINNING was the Organization and the Staff. And the Organization was without form and the Staff had high hopes for the future.

Then Came The Director. And the Director said “Lo, let there be a System. Let a Council be formed to order the Staff.” And the Director divided the Council from the Staff.

And the Director felt it was good.

The Director called the council “Elders,” and the staff “Followers,” indicating important information was to flow properly in a “downward” direction. And the Director also made permanent the division between the two so they would never meet. When the Director looked and saw what he had done, it pleased him, for it gave him a sense of order and of control.

And the Director rested.

Then the Director called forth “The Plan.” The Plan was devised by the Director, saluted by the Council, financially approved by the Administrator and given to Department Heads who asked the Staff to comply with The Plan.

And The Plan was full of assumptions.

And the Staff looked upon the plan, and saw, and answered the Department Heads, “Truly, this Plan is a wondrous thing, for it is devised by those who have asked no questions of those who must execute it. It is full of errors and is without understanding. It is hard to look upon it and we cannot bear it.”

And the Staff said, “The Plan has an odor about it, like dung.”

And behold, the Department Heads heard the cries of the Staff and returned to the Administrator, beseeching him on behalf of the Staff, saying, “The Plan is too difficult and is devoid of research and understanding. It has a smell about it akin to fertilizer, and we cannot abide by it.”

And the Administrator returned to the Council and said, “The Plan is akin to that which grows trees and flowers and is very strong in smell. It is very strong and it is a wonder we ever tried it in the first place.”

And the Council went to the Director and said, “Lo, The Plan is that which promotes growth and is full of strength. It is a powerful and wondrous thing.”

And the Director worshipped and blessed The Plan and said, “Let there be full implementation of The Plan for benefit of all, and let the people rejoice for the System works.”­

Epilogue:

The record abruptly ends which indicates, experts say, a sudden and catastrophic event putting an unexpected end to The Plan. One can only imagine, as when viewing the frozen figures in the ashes of Pompeii, what must have happened as the disastrous plan was implemented.

It has often been said those ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it.

A simple listening ear toward those closest to the daily task of working out noble plans, might yield wisdom not perceived in board rooms, bar graphs or glowing reports. But listening is a painfully slow process and many power-holders simply will not practice it because listening is not “efficient.”

Perhaps listening should be the distinguishing difference between assembly-line factories concerning themselves with pumping out a product and a living group of believers seeking to work out some sort of worthwhile spiritual goal — even at weekly meetings.

I believe more spiritual seekers and “workers” in the 21st century will quietly demand a listening ear, or turn aside spirituality altogether.

One TV commercial for cell phones says, “Can you hear me now?” Is anybody listening out there? Now is a good time for religious people to answer in the affirmative.

Patrick Butler
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