Program Summaries
"Grounded In God"
Workshop On Prayerful Consensus Deliberations For Decision-Making Groups
Overview
The Spiritual Consensus Deliberations workshop has been designed to prepare a decision-making group to carry out its work in a spirit of true discernment. This workshop introduces the consensus-based approach to group deliberations and decision-making. The workshop builds on the Discernment Listening Guidelines contained in our publication, Grounded in God. The group learns to incorporate a new approach, moving away from a strictly secular, Robert's Rules of Order way of doing business. As a result of the workshop, group members find themselves more open to listening to each other's views, growing closer to God and to one another - even when wrestling with controversial issues.
Intended Audience
Broadly speaking, the Consensus Building and Decision Making workshop is intended for any faith-based group that meets regularly and is responsible for reaching decisions on one or more matters. Groups that have benefited from using this approach include vestries, sessions, standing committees within parishes and congregations, as well as ad hoc groups such as search committees and parish discernment committees.
Program Content Summary
The agenda blends together a variety of activities that draw participants directly into the learning process. An overview of the basic concepts underlying spiritual discernment is presented to give attendees a common reference point. The Discernment Listening Guidelines are reviewed and discussed. The group then addresses an issue and forms a question for discernment that is directly related to it. From there, participants begin to experience first hand the concepts being covered as they work to arrive at spiritual consensus on the topic. A selection of hymns and prayers that complement the presentations and exercises are included at multiple points in the program. Opportunities for participants to share their reflections with other attendees help to round out the workshop. As a result of attending our program, the group's approach to making choices is opened up to the life-giving, life-changing power of the Spirit.
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