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The Flight of the Strange Bird
By Daniel Pryfogle "As the crow flies" generally means a shorter distance than a car would travel by road. "As the Strange Bird flies" has got to be the most circuitous route possible. Strange Birds are people who sense a call to ministry but not necessarily to traditional parish ministry. Their passions seek expression beyond the church's prescribed positions. Their spirits are drawn to odd directions, to unusual intersections, to roads "less traveled." So the flight of the Strange Bird is never straight. She dips and turns, loops and zigzags as she seeks to be faithful to the person God has created her to be. This way is dizzying yet true in my own vocational journey. I wrestled with understanding my call for years, tried to envision myself in traditional roles, and traveled through several occupations to reach this one -- and this one doesn't show up on the map. There are no signposts for a Missionary-Entrepreneur-Preacher-Writer-Organizational Consultant-Dreamer-Theologian. Because the way of the Strange Bird is pioneering, mentors are rare. Sometimes the best one can hope for is a kind soul who says, "I don't know where you are going, but your way seems right for you." That's why I am so energized when I meet other Strange Birds. Their presence is a sign of grace: in meeting them I discover I am not alone. I have met Strange Birds in churches, businesses, organizations, and denominations. Some are free agents experimenting at the margins of institutions; others are finding ways to be faithful to their strangeness in the midst of organizational life. It has been wonderful to hear people self-identify as Strange Birds since we started promoting the first Gathering of Strange Birds. In their self-identifying, Strange Birds raise a flag of freedom, celebrating the special calling God has given them. Yet they also signal their deep longing for companions. Hence, the idea to gather these good people. One of the great challenges and opportunities for the church in the 21st century is to widen its definition of calling. This is about who is called as well as the work to which people are called. In their pioneering flights, Strange Birds create an opening for the church; they share another way. I, for one, am grateful for this gift. In the company of Strange Birds I find affirmation for the call and inspiration to keep going this way -- however winding the route, however odd the destinations. Daniel Pryfogle is co-convener of A Gathering of Strange Birds. He is principal of Signal Hill, a mission-driven consulting company based in Cary, North Carolina. This article originally appeared in the July 2003 edition of The Big Project, an e-newsletter on vocation published by Signal Hill. REGISTER NOW for A Gathering of Strange Birds. Join an online discussion among Strange Birds. |