St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

My friend Jim Steen introduced me to a way of organizing used at All Saint's Beverly Hills called "fractals."

Fractals are ways of building groups that are highly networked and focused on completing tasks.

The center person of a fractal has the sole responsibility of gathering the group, delineating tasks and holding people accountable. They might not do tasks themselves. The center divides the tasks into four. Each task may become its own “fractal” where the person responsible further divides the tasks. I might have a liturgy committee with four separate “tasks” but then each person is responsible for creating their own “fractal.”

The purpose is to broaden the work so that there is less burnout. People can then do focused tasks without worrying about shouldering the entire burden. They are required to collaborate. People are only allowed to be on one or two fractals - no more. That way, people are forced to expand their network. Further, nothing happens unless there is someone who is inspired to lead.