Called to Transformationis centered around the belief that individuals, groups, and communities have the gifts they need to address the needs they see around them. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that each of us are given different gifts to serve the community and we are all a part of the body of Christ working together. Learn more…
Discovering where your community is feeling called to engage in new or enlivened mission and ministry can be hard work, and at the same time it is life-giving work because you are all engaged in conversation and discernment.
As a leader, you will need to have the work you have done so far ready for the meeting. Have your gifts discernment and asset mapping at hand by either making copies or posting them around the room. This exercise will be most helpful if you have them posted around the room so the individuals have movement and a different perspective than just sitting at his or her table.
You will need:
Introduction
As you work to discover and discern where God is calling your community, it is important to start in prayer as you call everyone to realize this is not “my work” but it is God’s work and we are called to engage God’s mission in our church and in our community. You can use one of the prayers found below from the Book of Common Prayer or one that is meaningful to your community.
Invitation to Prayer
As a community, we are being called to use our gifts, our assets, and our resources to engage in ministry and mission. As we discern our dreams and vision for where God may be calling us, let us begin in prayer. This is not our work, but it is God’s work. Let us center ourselves. Take a few deep breaths. Let us pray.
For Guidance
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Step One – Examine
We are here today to discover where God is leading us on this journey. We have discovered our gifts and mapped our assets. It is now time to put this together and take a look at where God is calling us into action.
I invite you to take about 5-10 minutes examining the Spiritual Gifts we have identified as individuals and as a community. As you look over the spiritual gifts, notice where you see patterns, notice where things might fit together, notice the variety of gifts we have among us.
Give them time to look at the spiritual gifts and make notes.
Now, take time to examine the Asset Mapping we have done. Where do you see complimentary assets? Where do you see surprises? Where might assets work together?
Give them time to look at the asset map.
Step Two – Dream
Now that you have reminded ourselves of our gifts and assets that we have identified so far, it is time to dream. Break into small groups of 4 or 5 people and have each person reflect on the following questions. You may want to look at the Six Asset-Focused Actions and Callings as a part of this reflection.
Step Three – Gather
In your small groups, brainstorm ALL the possible ways you can see these assets and gifts being used in the community. Think big. Dream about possibilities. Don’t limit yourself.
Use the Post-It Notes to put all ideas down on paper along with the corresponding gifts and assets noted. Put all your ideas up on the wall.
Step Four – Survey
Invite the whole group to walk around the room, reading the ideas of the other groups. Invite them to notice where they see similarities, when new ideas come to them, and where they might see connections.
Step Five – Connect
In the large group, have people share where they saw the similarities and connections. Note any new ideas that came up during the survey.
Step Six – Pray and Discern
Now is the time to pray and give thanks for all the work you have done. It is time to pray for God to guide you to the next step in the process. Tell the group gathered that after you open this time in prayer, you invite them to sit, think, pray, listen, and discern the top two dreams or visions you feel God is calling the group to engage in together. This is not about individual ministry, but how the community can use its gifts and assets to impact the larger community. Once they have narrowed it down to one or two ideas, have them write it down and sit in silence until everyone is done. You can use the following prayer or one that you think will speak to your community.
Gracious and Loving God, we thank you for the gifts and assets you have blessed us with and the time that we have spent dreaming about how you are calling us to use these in our community. Be with us as we sit in silence, listening for your voice to guide us in mission and ministry. Help us to feel grace, humility, passion, and purpose as we discern your call to us in this time and place. Amen.
Allow for some time in silence. Notice when most people are done, and then tell the group that they have a few more minutes. Once time is up, call the group back together. Invite each person in the group to share (without response or questions) what they came up with and after they have shared, invite the group to respond, “For this, we give thanks, O God.”
Step Seven – Choose
Have everyone hang up their dreams and visions. If there are similar ones that the individuals feel could go together or complement one another, put them together. Then, pass out two round dot stickers to each person. Invite each person to use the stickers to mark which ideas they feel the community should engage in first. They can use the stickers on two separate goals, or use them both on the same goal.
When everyone has placed their stickers up, tally the choices and write down the top three dreams or visions.
Step Eight – The Goal
After walking through this process, assure them that none of the ideas are being thrown away. Invite them to articulate where they are feeling called given the top three goals. Let the group decide which of the top three dreams they wish to tackle first.
You may also find that you want to repeat this process a number of times before casting a final vision or mission plan.
Give Thanks
When you have decided where you will take action, celebrate and give thanks! You can simply offer a prayer of thanksgiving, you can celebrate by sharing a meal, or celebrate through some other action that will speak to your community.
Communicate
Think about how you are going to articulate to the community what your goal is so they can celebrate with you.
Special thanks to The Beecken Center who helped facilitate this process and pilot the training.
beeckencenter.sewanee.edu
