David W Anderson

As academics, Organization Development (OD) change professionals, and leaders, many of us have faced the challenge of driving change within a traditionally resistant organization. This book is focused on blending theory and practice to explore a transformational change process in an environment many might not immediately consider: a mid-sized police department in the Midwest. Although it is not your typical business setting, the lessons learned are universally applicable to many public sector and traditionally hierarchical organizations. Many organizations have deeply ingrained cultures that create barriers to bridging the gap between theory and practical application. Insider action research (IAR) can be a bridge that allows for not only the generation of intentional change in the organization but also the creation of theoretical knowledge through engaging organizational members in researching and changing their organization. Through IAR and the implementation of multiple OD strategies, over the course of this 3 year study, the research team engaged in rich qualitative data gathering through interviews, unstructured interactions, meetings, and the review of organizational documents and historical performance. This data was combined through an iterative descriptive coding process resulting in the identification of six opportunities for change in the department. These opportunities for change were used to generate seven core IAR projects and 11 self-organization process improvement action research projects. Organizational culture was measured longitudinally using Cooke and Lafferty’s (1983) Organizational Culture Inventory were taken and demonstrated a positive culture change in the organization. IAR was combined with Use of Self (UoS), open systems diagnosis, dialogical systems perspective generation, survey feedback, and Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to generate both micro-changes or small intentional changes and transformational changes in a historically difficult police environment.

As academics, Organization Development (OD) change professionals, and leaders, many of us have faced the challenge of driving change within a traditionally resistant organization. This book is focused on blending theory and practice to explore a transformational change process in an environment many might not immediately consider: a mid-sized police department in the Midwest. Although it is not your typical business setting, the lessons learned are universally applicable to many public sector and traditionally hierarchical organizations. Many organizations have deeply ingrained cultures that create barriers to bridging the gap between theory and practical application. Insider action research (IAR) can be a bridge that allows for not only the generation of intentional change in the organization but also the creation of theoretical knowledge through engaging organizational members in researching and changing their organization. Through IAR and the implementation of multiple OD strategies, over the course of this 3 year study, the research team engaged in rich qualitative data gathering through interviews, unstructured interactions, meetings, and the review of organizational documents and historical performance. This data was combined through an iterative descriptive coding process resulting in the identification of six opportunities for change in the department. These opportunities for change were used to generate seven core IAR projects and 11 self-organization process improvement action research projects. Organizational culture was measured longitudinally using Cooke and Lafferty’s (1983) Organizational Culture Inventory were taken and demonstrated a positive culture change in the organization. IAR was combined with Use of Self (UoS), open systems diagnosis, dialogical systems perspective generation, survey feedback, and Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to generate both micro-changes or small intentional changes and transformational changes in a historically difficult police environment.

Discover a biblical approach to welcome individuals and families affected by disability as equal and vital members of the fellowship by reading Paul from a new perspective. David W. Anderson, the founder and president of Crossing Bridges, Inc., a nonprofit ministry, follows up on his previous books on how the church can serve those with disabilities in this analysis of what the Bible says on the topic. The emphasis is on practical, everyday implications of theology to life experiences and relationships. The author explores topics such as: - actions we can take to lend credibility to our Christian witness, such as focusing on compassion, hospitality, and Christlike character. - steps we can take to help individuals and families dealing with disability avoid feeling spiritually isolated. Paul does not directly teach about disability, but his writing highlights how Christians should relate to others with acceptance, love, humility, patience, and equality. Thinking theologically about disability includes seeking to understand the place and purpose of disability in general, and how to minister with persons and families facing a disabling condition.

Discover a biblical approach to welcome individuals and families affected by disability as equal and vital members of the fellowship by reading Paul from a new perspective. David W. Anderson, the founder and president of Crossing Bridges, Inc., a nonprofit ministry, follows up on his previous books on how the church can serve those with disabilities in this analysis of what the Bible says on the topic. The emphasis is on practical, everyday implications of theology to life experiences and relationships. The author explores topics such as: - actions we can take to lend credibility to our Christian witness, such as focusing on compassion, hospitality, and Christlike character. - steps we can take to help individuals and families dealing with disability avoid feeling spiritually isolated. Paul does not directly teach about disability, but his writing highlights how Christians should relate to others with acceptance, love, humility, patience, and equality. Thinking theologically about disability includes seeking to understand the place and purpose of disability in general, and how to minister with persons and families facing a disabling condition.

When a family includes a special-needs child or adult, one thing is often in short supply hope. The burden of daily and demanding routines can settle like a damp, depressing fog over a family, causing parents and children to forget that hope is even possible. These weary families are desperate for help, and its why I am so excited about my friend David Andersons new book, Forty Days: Finding Refuge in the Ark from the Storms of Disability. In this uplifting daily devotional, families affected by disability will discover a wellspring of spiritual refreshment, as well as a few practical tips to inspire and encourage. Every cul-de-sac in America has a household that needs this book; I highly recommend that you share it with the special-needs families you know Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends International Disability Center When a family includes a special-needs child or adult, one thing is often in short supply hope. The burden of daily and demanding routines can settle like a damp, depressing fog over a family, causing parents and children to forget that hope is even possible. These weary families are desperate for help, and its why I am so excited about my friend David Andersons new book, Forty Days: Finding Refuge in the Ark from the Storms of Disability. In this uplifting daily devotional, families affected by disability will discover a wellspring of spiritual refreshment, as well as a few practical tips to inspire and encourage. Every cul-de-sac in America has a household that needs this book; I highly recommend that you share it with the special-needs families you know Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

What is the state of faith today among younger men in the church? How is the church responding to the spiritual needs of a new generation? Armed with these questions and many more, authors Roland Martinson, Paul Hill, and David Anderson conducted interviews with young men (ages 18-40) of differing life and faith experiences, and differing ethnic backgrounds in six regions of the U.S. This new book, "Coming of Age", is based on the results of this study.

"I have done a report of some kind on the Fred Merkle story, whether in print, on radio, or on TV, on or about its anniversary, September 23, virtually every year since I was in college. The saga has always seemed to me to be a microcosm not just of baseball, nor of celebrity, but of life. The rules sometimes change while you're playing the game. Those you trust to tell you the changes often don't bother to. That for which history still mocks you, would have gone unnoticed if you had done it a year or a month or a day before. That's who Fred Merkle is. I have often proposed September 23 as a national day of amnesty, in Fred Merkle's memory."—Keith Olbermann, from his foreword.