The whole premise of systems thinking is that by changing any part of the system, you change the whole. Sliding Doors, a charming British comedy starring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, helps illustrate -- in twentieth century parable form -- what a simple change in the system can do to transform a life.

On a remarkably bad day, Helen (played by Paltrow) races to catch a subway train. Events prevent her from boarding the train as the doors slide closed. Or do they? Telling the story on parallel tracks, the scene rewinds; and this time she makes the train, and the movie proceeds from there -- telling the two stories of what happens to the Helen who made the train and the Helen who missed the train. Timing is everything; and one small, seemingly insignificant change in the system changes lives. Sounds confusing? The movie itself is clear and entertaining as the "what if" worlds of Helen split, converge, and finally resolve themselves.

Sliding Doors also makes the point that we must live with the decisions we make and that no decision is truly insignificant. What we do and say at any given moment can have monumental meaning. How we choose to live and how we treat other people is a powerful subplot throughout the film.

In the church system, we make thousands of decisions that have an impact on the lives of many people. What we choose to do and say has monumental meaning in people's lives. This film is a reminder of the power of living and teaching by word and action. When people accept the responsibility to be leaders in the church, they greatly influence the system -- by whatever they say and do or don't say and do. With the privilege of leadership in the church comes a great responsibility. The parable that Sliding Doors shares is that we do well to remember how seemingly insignificant actions can change the world.

This film is rated PG-13 and has strong sexual language and adult themes. This film may not go over very well with some church groups. However, the message it contains makes looking beyond some images of careless morality and cultural decadence well worthwhile. In a sense, this context makes the underlying message all the more powerful.

Check out Sliding Doors. In it you will find much that helps generate understanding of the systems nature of life. This film is priced for rental, and it is readily available at local video rental outlets.

Dan R. Dick is a former staff member of the General Board of Discipleship.

(originally posted March 29, 1999)

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