"The creation of a new life system," writes Peter Senge, "often requires a specialized 'container' because established systems are naturally hostile to the 'other,' the 'outsider,' the 'alien.' The normal chemistry of an adult human body would be toxic to an embryo, just as the mainstream culture of an organization is often toxic to the innovators it spawns. And when the organizational immune system kicks in, innovators often find themselves ignored, ostracized, or worse."

All of which makes me wonder, what are we doing in our local faith communities to create protected space for new life to flourish?

If an answer doesn't immediately spring to mind, it is almost certain that we are instead unwittingly eradicating new life through the unthinking processes of our organizational immune systems.