the underground network

Tomorrow several in the Underground Network will meet to discuss The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Braufman and Rod A. Beckstrom.  It isn’t necessary to have read the book to participate; the facilitator will present a summary, followed by group discussion.  Meet Saturday, 11am at the Mercury Cafe at (1505 W Chicago Ave).  See the event details and directions to our gathering here.

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What does Napster, Al Qaeda and the Apache Indians have in common?  They are all “starfish” organizations.  Categorically different than spider organizations, which rely on central command, clear cut membership, and hierarchical management, there is truly no one in charge of a starfish organization.  They are built around passion and ideology, rather than management and budgets.  Former CEOs become catalysts in a movement and quickly fade into the background as the fluid organization quickly takes over like Kudzu in a forest.

All this has profound implications for the Church in America.  For over 1,000 years, the Church has functioned like a spider, buts its earliest days (and most dynamic movements today) look more like starfish.  Our discussion Saturday will be on the Church in Chicago as a starfish organization, and how each of us can participate in the unstoppable movement where only Jesus Christ is a leader.

Hope you can join us!  A book summary will be posted on this article after the event is posted below for your reading enjoyment!

Starfish and Spider – Ori Brafman (Summary)