Well, I’ve finally landed on a name I like for my curriculum series project — “Opal Design Systems.” Check out the website if you want to see of exactly what it is that I started R&D on in 1991 (P.S. feedback welcomed!) and more details on why I chose this name.
The ultra-short version of the story is this: My Dad was a jeweler, and I’ve seen all kinds of gemstones through the years. I’ve grown attached to opals as an analogy representing organizational systems that bring together flashes of brilliance from all kinds of people, and that is done by design. So, this curriculum is about how to create intentional and sustainable activities for an intercultural group of people, who integrate together their different ways to process life while following Jesus, and who use interdisciplinary approaches to build Kingdom enterprises (churches, ministries, businesses, community agencies) and to collaborate with others in their communities.
The first series in the Opal Design Systems will be eight books, the first of which is due for publication early in 2012. This inaugural volume is titled, Safe Houses for God’s People. It’s about discerning malignant ministry, dismantling systems of spiritual abuse, and (re)building safe and sustainable places of discipleship. A difficult topic, but with a redemptive edge.
More on that in another post sometime soon … but for now, a well-earned rest is calling my name … and I do believe I also hear the faraway cry of a hazelnut latte, calling for a time of celebration!
Janet Ann Collins
December 22, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Sounds good.
futuristguy
December 22, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Thanks Jan … as you know better than most, it’s been a very, very long time in the making! Huzzah!