Kick-Start New Year, New Visions

Session One - Discernment

At once, the spirit drove him out into the wilderness…

Because doing should arise out of

being — what we do

out of who we are

At once, the spirit drove him out into the wilderness…

Because different voices are heard in the wilderness: • In the city, position matters, and those in charge lead.

• In the wilderness both angels and demons speak freely.

• In the marketplace everything has a price.

• In the wilderness money is worthless

• At the council table, those invited can vote

• In the wilderness that which is missing is counted

• Other?

At once, the spirit drove him out into the wilderness…

At once, the spirit drove him out into the wilderness…

In the wilderness,

process matters.

Developing a process for finding our

way is more important than having goals or a destination

Discernment: An organic,

spirit-oriented process

for finding and keeping to our

vocation.

“Discernment is not

knowing the difference

between right and wrong. It’s knowing

the difference between right and almost

right.”Charles Spurgeon

…and keeping faith when things are ambiguous

Who is responsible for developing a vision for the local church?

Clergy Itinerate: They move from congregation to congregation, sharing with each the common

understandings about faith and order that are held across the denomination

Congregations Locate: They become rooted in their context, discovering how to be the kind of church that is vital and transformative for their

community

How do we set a table in the wilderness so that those who are located and those who are itinerant can see God’s vision

together?

[The Kingdom of God] is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all

garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Mark 4:31

roots - trunk - leaves - birds

Roots: Have been at the church for a long time. They bring wisdom as to what works here, knowledge of people and resources, and an intuitive understanding of this congregation’s

culture and specific mission.

Branches and Leaves: Move from congregation to congregation, bringing to the table ideas that

they have seen working elsewhere, and a broader definition of church and mission.

roots - trunk - leaves - birds

Trunks: Have some experience other congregations, but enough time in this

congregation to be respected. They help the varied people at the table hear each other.

roots - trunk - leaves - birds

TendenciesVirtues Faults

Roots Follow-through Change Resistent

Leaves Innovation Resource Poor

Trunks Communication Sidelined

How you actually behave depends upon your temperament and maturity

DVORAK vs QWERTY

Roots = Typists/Secretaries

Leaves = Computer Nerds

Trunks aren’t at the Table

Who are the Birds?[The Kingdom of God] is like a

mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when

planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with

such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”Mark 4:31

Setting a table in the wilderness…

Who will speak for the Birds?

Discernment: An organic,

spirit-oriented process

for finding and keeping to our

vocation.

ImplementationRange

ProcessTime

Leadership expectation

Authority Soon Short Decisiveness

Majority Weeks or Months Medium Fairness

Discernment Long Long Resource provider

3 ways to make a decision

The process needs to be in place before the decision is needed.

Check out: twice weekly blog

Tuesday - Lectionary Insights

Thursday - Fixing Church

@ www.Billkemp.info

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www.notperfectyet.com

a Reality Check 101 Presentation