Lisa Withrow

We live in an age of enormous and rapid change, but how do people, organisations, even whole cultures and societies change? And where is God in such transformations? For more than a hundred years, anthropology has taught us that entering a chaotic, awesome and fraught 'threshold' - or liminal space - is fundamental to our renewal as human beings. Yet none of us goes willingly into such places. We need to be 'held' in liminal movement so that it is safe enough to change. Crossing Thresholds is the first inter-disciplinary theological treatment of the universal phenomenon of liminality. Developing practical wisdom from foundations in the work of Victor Turner, Donald Winnicott and Bruce Reed, the authors explore the place of liminality in the worship, mission and hermeneutics of the Church and reflect on its usefulness to a wide range of Christian practice. For all those who strive to think theologically about the great transitions of life, this comprehensive work offers unique insight into what it is to safely cross the threshold of chaos and embrace the future with courage.

Leading Into Unknown Waters: Liminality as Threshold into the Future addresses the issue of liminality, or living in threshold spaces during vast changes in various fields including the business world, social services, non-profits, and religious organisations. Change is problematic when it is met with reactive methods rather than the intentional call to leaders to adopt particular practices for organisations that purposefully promote living into liminal space as a threshold toward a new, positive beginning. The primary purpose of the book is for leaders to learn how to lead well in these circumstances, within a variety of contexts, inviting others in their organisations or groups to de-polarise, adapt, and eventually thrive during transitory times and in rapidly changing conditions. Specifically, the book provides discussion about a particular kind of communal learning space that allows for adventure, vulnerability, and a deeper wisdom than individuals bring on their own. The second purpose is to decrease the anxiety in these times with a suggested path forward for leaders and followers that invites us out of fear-based stances and into purposeful and meaningful work together. The new contribution is the intersection of various fields into the leadership discipline from the perspective of a coach/teacher/religious leader, incorporating spirituality through metaphor in to the discussion of leadership in liminal space without using the religious jargon or advocating a particular religious stance.