Christian Innovation Communities: A Wicked Problem Framework For Church Innovation

ABSTRACT Leslie A. Stewart Mar 11, 2024 Christian Innovation Communities: A Wicked Problem Framework for Church Innovation This dissertation uniquely proposes a “Wicked Problem” approach to Church Innovation. It introduces the term Christian Innovation Communities to the Church Innovation discussion advocating for a local and regional innovation ecosystem. The framework for Christian Innovation Communities uses a cross-discipline approach combining adaptive leadership principles, a collaborative systems design approach, asset-based community development principles, pastoral discernment, and missional theology. These are synthesized into a visual, action-driven, practical guide. It shows adaptive leaders how to lead a leadership team through an innovation process. A significant aspect of that leadership is the strategic use of narrative. While initial research on church innovation has focused on pairing Appreciative Inquiry with pastoral discernment, that approach fails to address the super-complex or “wicked” context of the Church’s problem space: the uncertainty of a quickly changing cultural condition; external boundary-spanning issues that involve diverse stakeholders that lack a shared perspective, language, or values; and that same level of internal complexity among church members, while demands on parochial leaders continue to increase. This necessitates the use of a “wicked problem” systems design approach. The first chapter outlines the need for this approach. Chapters two through four provide scriptural, historical, and theological support for Christian Innovation Communities. They are also narrative entry points for leading church innovation. The final chapter provides a visual framework for innovation so Christian Innovation Communities can become inventors for love’s sake and bear witness to the triumph of God’s love

Numerical Investigation Of Particle Dampers As Structural Response Modifiers

This study presents a discrete element method (DEM) numerical model to elucidate mechanical behavior, particle crushing, and anisotropy evolution within a pressurized sand damper (PSD) subjected to cyclic loading. Computational simulations of the PSD under different initial pressures and stroke amplitudes were conducted and compared to experimental results. Good agreement was achieved between the DEM model and experimental results for the different cases. Force-displacement, particle crushing, shear, and normal stresses along with geometric and mechanical anisotropy degrees were closely monitored in different areas of the PSD. Dissipated energy was also monitored and used to calculate the specific damping capacity. Employing elongated, triangle, pyramid, cube, and hexagon particle shapes as well as crushable and uncrushable particles as sand grains revealed that the closest results to the experiments are obtained when using elongated crushable particles. It was observed that reducing the container length for a specific particle shape results in a small increase in contact force. Furthermore, changes in the stroke amplitude, initial pressure, and particle shape had minimal influence on the dynamic force generation. The results show that the majority of crushing occurs in the vicinity of the center of the PSD and within the first loading cycle, mainly in the smallest group size. Increasing stroke amplitude significantly influenced particle crushing, whereas increasing initial pressure was less considerable. In addition, a direct relationship between the PSD\u27s direction of movement with shear and normal stresses and anisotropy degree was observed. Moreover, the contribution of mechanical anisotropy was more considerable than the geometric anisotropy to the overall anisotropy degree. Regarding dissipated energy, an increase in stroke amplitude resulted in higher dissipated energy whereas an increase in initial pressure had a minor influence on the dissipated energy. Based on the dissipated energy, it was found that the specific damping capacity was nearly equal to one for all cases studied. Computational simulations were conducted to explore the influence of different PSD porosities and positions along a cantilever beam\u27s length when subjected to an impact load. The results highlighted the significance of fine particles within a particle damper and demonstrated the impact of global and local porosity on the damper\u27s performance. It was observed that reducing the particle damper\u27s porosity correspondingly decreases the beam\u27s displacement while increasing the kinetic energy within the damper. Additionally, it was concluded that the majority of the kinetic energy is attributed to the translational motion of the particles. The impact force was significantly influenced by the global and local porosities, where having small and closely matched values of both parameters resulted in higher impact forces. In addition, the time intervals between sub-impacts were also affected by the damper\u27s porosity. It was revealed that an increase in initial pressure reduces the beam\u27s displacement. Based on the results obtained, the optimal location for the particle damper was determined to be at the point where displacement reduction is required, rather than directly underneath the impact load\u27s location. This research will enhance the understanding of particle interactions within the innovative pressurized sand damper (PSD). It will also lay the groundwork for future studies on the performance of PSDs and particle dampers made from various materials attached to structures

Tort Claims Arising From Military Aircraft Crashes Are Not Preempted By The Federal Aviation Act

The Second Circuit\u27s landmark ruling in Jones v. Goodrich Pump & Engine Control Sys., Inc. establishes crucial precedent by asserting that tort claims stemming from military aircraft crashes are not field or conflict preempted by the Federal Aviation Act (the Act). This decision, the first of its kind at the appellate level, carries far-reaching implications. The court’s rationale, grounded in the Act’s plain language, emphasizes that “public aircraft,” including military ones, are exempt from Federal Aviation Administration regulation. Title 49, section 44701(a)(1), explicitly excludes public aircraft from the Act’s purview. While the court’s analysis relies on the Act’s text, it is fortified by a comprehensive examination of legislative history dating back to the early days of aviation. This Article contends that the Second Circuit’s reasoning, supported by both statutory language and over a century of legislative evolution, should serve as a universally adopted guideline. The separation of civil and military aircraft regulation, initiated in the Paris Convention of 1919 and continued through subsequent legislative acts, underscores the distinct standards governing military aviation. The inherent divergence in purpose and design between civil and military aircraft, coupled with Congress’s consistent exclusion of military aircraft from FAA regulation, solidifies the argument against preemption. As the sole appellate authority on this matter, the Jones decision provides a robust foundation for future courts facing Federal Aviation Act preemption challenges in “public aircraft” tort cases

CECL and Bank CEO Compensation

The adoption of the Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) model, a new methodology for accounting for expected credit losses, has significantly increased bank earnings volatility. Using a difference-in-differences around the adoption, we examine how more volatile earnings impact CEO compensation design. We find that post-CECL, bank CEO pay becomes less sensitive to earnings, but more sensitive to other performance measures, such as stock returns and revenues. Additionally, total executive compensation increases, consistent with the higher risk premia demanded by bank executives. Overall, our results suggest that compensation committees view accounting earnings as having lower contractual usefulness for incentives after CECL

The Fall of Z-Library: The “Burning of the Library of Alexandria” or Protection for Authors Against AI Companies

The development and advancement of artificial intelligence (“AI”) is changing the way we use technology while creating an ongoing battle between media and technology companies. With AI companies gathering data from the internet to train programs like ChatGPT, authors have growing concerns about unpermitted use of their work when pirated copies of their books exist illegally online through shadow libraries. This article examines the popular shadow library known as Z-Library and the views of its proponents and opponents. In addition, this article will discuss the training process AI companies use and the data sets containing content from shadow libraries. While companies like Getty Images and The New York Times filed suit against AI companies, this article specifically focuses on the class action lawsuits filed by authors for unauthorized use of their books to train AI models. Copyright law may offer a solution to protect these author’s works. This article will examine the current limitations of copyright law and the difficulties of proving copyright infringement. This article attempts to explore the current legal action, claims these authors raise, and possible defenses they will have to overcome. This article will also examine solutions like agreements with authors and paying them royalties to compensate them for the use of their work. Regardless of how the court cases come out, these authors need a solution to ensure their content is not exploited by AI companies