Publications
Grounded in God: Listening Hearts Discernment for Group Deliberations
Authors: Suzanne Farnham, Taylor McLean and Stephanie Hull
Grounded in God is a timely resource for groups that want to conduct their meetings and de-liberations in a spirit of true discernment. The central emphasis is on applying a consensus-based approach to the decision making process. In nine concise, insightful, and powerful chapters, the book will provide insight and inspiration to all people actively involved in the affairs of their organization.
"Spiritual Discernment: Its Meaning and Value for Group Meetings." Here you will find out what spiritual discernment is - and what it is not. As groups seek to practice discern-ment, they often find that their meetings become more energized and productive.
"Total Listening." Groups that nurture the practice of focused, reverent listening grow closer to one another as they grow closer to God.
"Searching for Questions Before Answers." Well-framed questions can draw the entire group into a search for truth that enables all to develop fuller insights. Probing questions engage us in ways that help us discover things for ourselves. The right questions can open us up to the creative flow of the Spirit.
"Engaging the Imagination." Imagination helps God break through to us in ways that go beyond our customary modes of analysis, discussion, and rational thought. By using our imagination, we may be freed from preconceptions and become open for God to carry us beyond the limits of our personal knowledge.
"Catching the Signals." Unless we are tuned in and our hearts are prepared, God may be sending us signals, but we may not be able to hear them. The first step is to listen. We must realize that our discernment is never complete, and we must continue to be alert for new signs that appear.
"Spiritual Consensus: A Way of Coming Together in Christ." The process of making group decisions can either divide those involved into factions or can knit them together into a strong community. Consensus brings a group together at a deep level, engendering love and nurturing trust in both God and one another.
"Launching Out." Each person in a group should be encouraged to take responsibility for keeping the group true to the principles of discernment. Even though there is no sure formula for discerning the mind of God, as we respond to God's love with growing trust and gratitude, we experience God's faithfulness and find that God's work is being done through us.
"Planning Meetings." Think of the work of any meeting as an expression of our love for God. The preparation then becomes holy work, and developing the agenda is analogous to the planning of a liturgy.
"Building Discerning Communities." As people in a community become accustomed to using silence, reflection, non-coercive discourse, and consensus, the spirit of discernment takes hold and develops its own momentum. A group committed to discernment must be careful not to hold themselves apart, but participate actively in the life of the larger community.
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