At my United Church of Christ annual meeting I learned a new-to-me metaphor. Perhaps you have heard it before. Our keynote speaker, Rob Voyle introduced ‘cathedral thinking’ to us in his presentation on change and transformation. He explained that it means creating a foundation for something even when you don’t know the final outcome.
Visiting a medieval cathedral is a memorable event. The grandeur of the soaring vaults and stunningly beautiful stained-glass windows create an unforgettable impact whether you are religiously inclined or not. Simply marveling at the vision, craftsmanship and beauty of the structure is inspiring and a powerful reminder of the possible.
Most cathedrals, like Notre Dame in Paris which recently partially burned, were the result of both the faith and the creative energies of medieval European culture. According to the website https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/architecture/cathedral/construction
the building of cathedrals often took decades or centuries to complete. Of course, this means that those who laid the foundation did not see the completed building. The website noted that the builders and planners were willing to be a part of something “larger than” themselves.
Along with the vision and dedication of those who labored on cathedrals during the Middle Ages, another website https://www.abelard.org/france/cathedral-construction.php makes the interesting point that while the planners and builders labored on the cathedral buildings, simultaneously they developed new technological innovations that literally opened up and raised the height of the structures. The method of buttressing the walls with exterior columns and arch supports allowed for much taller walls, and thinner walls. In turn, the thinner walls invited larger windows and the incredible stained-glass marvels that we see today. Indeed, those who laid the foundations of the cathedrals could not have imagined the finished buildings they helped to start.
This is the point of the metaphor, cathedral thinking. Unpacking it, there are three elements that create its impact. First, belief in the vision and purpose of the project. The enterprise could be anything, transforming a neighborhood, creating a park or bike path, setting up a health center, or combating climate change. Next, a community must be invested in the project. The effort needs to be sustained by a group for a period of time. In other words, a community must be committed to the project. And last, time is an element, the project must be allowed to evolve over a period of time. The length of time will vary, depending on the scope and purpose of the project of course. When these elements work together, the power of new possibilities can evolve. Wonderful results are probable!