ministry leadership center - discernment elements

7/29/2019 Ministry Leadership Center - Discernment Elements

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Listening for Bells

andSeeing Bell Stands:

Integrating Discernmentinto Decision-Making


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MINISTRY LEADERSHIP CENTER

Discern, Discerning, Discernment

Common Connotation Subtle, sensitive, and thoughtful work

Nuanced perceptions, acute observations,

discriminating awareness Raises judgment to a higher level

Spiritual Traditions

Discipline of perceiving and cooperating withspiritual influences

Aligning spirit in us with spirit in the situation


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Positioning Discernment

Taxonomy of decision-making. Note thedistinction between decision-making as anindividual and group process.

Discernment elements permeate the wholeprocess of strategic decision making.


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Positioning Discernment

Strategic Decision Making Organizational Wisdom

Strategic Ethical Decision Making Ethical Wisdom

Strategic Ethical Decision Making withDiscernment Elements Spiritual Wisdom


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When to Use the DiscernmentProcess.

Use it

Dont use it


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HAVE IT READY

Since Spirit is present in every situation,discernment skills that seek to connect theSpirit in us with the Spirit in the situation

are always potentially useful.

Develop the skills and keep them sharp byuse.


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Reporting on Pre-session Work

Having read the article as background,

having worked with the assessment tool,

and having heard Andre explain theprocess,

share your experience of discernmentin strategic decision making.


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Two Classic Discernment Stories

The Legend of the Bells

The Woodcarver


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Core Assumption of Discernment

What encourages you to adopt thisassumption that Spirit is at work in us andin every situation asking for cooperation.

What makes you hesitant to adopt thisassumption that spirit is at work in us andin every situation asking for cooperation.


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Discernment Elements

Entering with an contemplative innerdisposition

Over and over again returning to prayerand reflection


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Entering with anContemplative Inner Disposition

Planning and Preparation

Need for a reminder

Reminders and the back of the mind

Leaning on a tradition before we know forourselves


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Open a Space Allah knows, I dont.

Sometimes we hold on to what we think is

true so strongly that when truth itself knockson the door we will not open.

Beginners Mind

Every thought says I

What we identify with dominates us.

I have knowledge, but I am not myknowledge.


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Set Up a Listening Post Phrase values as a call

E.g., Where is dignity calling to us?

Phrase values as comparatives E.g., Where is greater cooperation calling to us?

Greater unity, increased trust, increasedjustice, greater mutual security, more

meaningful work, lessen inequality, greaterhope, greater harmony


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Over and over again returning toprayer and reflection

Private Prayer

Public Prayer

Spirit Communion Between Self andSituation


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The old advice holds: Act upon the littlelight you have and more will be given.Resist such action because the light is dim

and because you want more certainty inadvance and the light will grow dimmer.

At a deep level, what are we seeing and

hearing does this situation have a dreamof itself?


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Dialogue and the Group

Spirit in the Group Process

Discussion and Dialogue

Stakeholder storytelling

Spirit in the people of the situation

What questions do you want to ask?


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Copyright 2013Ministry Leadership Center

Sacramento, CA

ministry leadership center - discernment elements

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