Initiative Leadership

Go to the people, Live with them, Learn from them, Love them. Start with what they know, Build with what they have. But with the best leaders, When the work is done, The task accomplished, The people will say,“We have done this ourselves.” – Lao Tsu, China 700BC

Building Leadership Support

First and foremost, it is essential that your congregational and community leaders fully support and choose their level of participation in the process:

Make an appointment with your clergy to present the idea, reminding them that we all have gifts God has given us to use for the benefit of the community.
Meet with faith community leadership for coffee and conversation, either one-on-one or together.
Make a presentation to your faith community’s governing board or vestry.
Meet with community leaders that may be interested in participating.

Recognize that for some, this process is new and may require some explanation and a basis of trust. As you meet with leadership, ask them to reflect on these important questions:

Is there a desire among leadership to see the church as a catalyst for sustainable change in the community?
Are they prepared to put some of their own time and organizational resources into supporting and participating in this process?
How do they feel about engaging a process that may lead to significant change within the congregation?
How do they feel about a process that will take months to years to complete?

Give yourself space and time for this part of the process and don’t become discouraged if not everyone greets this initiative with open arms. By its very nature, this proposal might be unsettling to some as it represents transition in the system and possibly a shift in power from the current model. Stay focused on working with your leadership to reassure them that this is a process designed to highlight the community’s giftedness and create a more expanded foundation for ministry.

This is important: Do not move forward until you have gained support and trust from the leaders who are essential to this project’s success.

Discerning a Project Facilitator

The single most important role in this process is that of the Facilitator (or Facilitation Team). The Facilitator is someone who works with the congregation and community at a grass-roots level to help them move through the stages of this asset-based initiative. This person may be from outside the community, or be a skilled and credible person from within the community.

Facilitation is about: (from Umoja Coordinator’s Guide):

ensuring everyone has a voice
enabling each person to discover their potential
ensuring everyone is valued for their contribution
enabling everyone to work together to tackle common problems

Are you called to facilitate this process?

Through sharing our thoughts, we inspire one another, share visions and create the future. We discover common values and build commitment. By thinking through and analyzing how, we determine how we can do things together. – Ruth Hild, The Art of Facilitation

The facilitator’s role is to (adapted from Umoja Facilitator’s Guide):

To be familiar and comfortable with the asset-based methodologies. One way to become familiar with this process is to attend the Facilitator Formation Trainings that are offered. It will also be helpful for you to connect with other people doing this kind of work.
To meet with leadership, the congregation, and the wider community to explore the possibility for this project.
To facilitate the activities that will help a church and a community bring about transformation.
To facilitate the Bible studies and help people learn from them and apply the principles to their situation.
To enable the group to work well together and to help them to resolve difficulties that might arise.
To review what is working well and what could be improved.

Characteristics of successful facilitators include: openness, willingness to learn, compassionate, social, respected, inclusive, flexible, creative, patient, affirming, humble, adaptable, good listeners, curious, knowledgeable, passionate and motivational.

Facilitators need to understand that they are working with their community, helping to give birth to something new, rather than doing it for or to the congregation. Before working with the church and community, facilitators need to be aware of how adults learn.

If you are discerning a call to facilitate this process, consider completing the short assessment below that will help you reflect on whether you have the gifts and talents appropriate to this role.

	Rarely	Sometimes	Often	Always
ATTITUDES
I am willing to learn new things.
I am flexible and open to change.
I have compassion for those who are marginalized and vulnerable.
I look to include everyone regardless of their race, gender, and age.
I look to affirm people in what they do and who they are.
I am patient and supportive.
I value the contribution of others.

KNOWLEDGE	Poor	Satisfactory	Good	Very Good
My understanding of adult learning is...
My understanding of how to welcome and engage the group is...
My understanding of how to use planning tools is...
My understanding of evaluation and reviewing tools is...
My understanding of how to organize meetings is...

SKILLS	Poor	Satisfactory	Good	Very Good
My ability to plan a project is...
My ability to ensure group participation is...
My ability to ask open ended questions is...
My ability to listen is...
My ability to lead Bible Studies and reflection is...
My ability to delegate is...
My ability to lead a meeting is...
My ability to gather and analyze information is...
My ability to summarize others ideas is...
My communications skills are...
My presenting skills are...

(Adapted from the Umoja Facilitator’s Guide)

Called to Transformation

An Asset-Based Approach to Engaging Church and Community

Initiative Leadership