September 25, 2025

Adult Formation September 27, 9:15 am
In this week’s formation time, by special request, we will be discussing my Doctor of Ministry Thesis. I’ve included a very brief abstract below. We’ll learn a lot about what it means to be alive, to live within an ecosystem, and to evolve and what this means for the church. This is my first full draft, and not quite ready for general distribution so I am not posting a public link here, but if you would like to read the whole thing (about 110 double spaced pages), please email me (fr.birch@resurrectioneugene.org) and I will send you a link. I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts!

ECCLESIAL EVOLUTION: THE APPLICATION OF EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES TO THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
 
Abstract
This thesis explores the concept of the church as a living organism, subject to the principles of evolutionary ecology. It argues that the church, like all living things, undergoes evolution through natural selection, possessing the necessary elements of variation, selection, and inheritance. By examining the church’s biological and spiritual life, the thesis develops a model demonstrating how evolutionary principles can be applied to benefit the church at both parish and broader levels. The study delves into the interconnectedness of decisions and their long-term implications, emphasizing the need for purposeful use of evolutionary strategies to adapt to a rapidly changing world. The thesis also highlights the importance of maintaining homeostasis, organization, and metabolism within the church, drawing analogies to biological systems. Ultimately, it proposes that understanding and leveraging evolutionary patterns can help the church build stable strategies and shape future generations for the worlds they will encounter.