RH Action Guide

8/7/2019 RH Action Guide

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Carol Howard Merritt


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Table of Contents

Practices

Using the Action Guide

Practices

What Is the Substance of Our Hope?

Family History

Faith Community History

Christian History

Framing the Future

Redistributing AuthorityHow Have Our Attitudes Toward Authority Shifted?

Technology and Authority

Creating Space to Question

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One


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Re-forming Community

Individual and CommunityFaith and Community

Church and Community

Reexamining the Medium

Technology as a Ministry Tool

Social Media Response Plan

Retelling the Message

Family Storytelling

Stories and the Bible

Story Harvesting in Your Church

Reinventing Activism

Reign of GodNeeds of Your Community

Social Justice and Technology

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five


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Renewing Creation

Encouraging a Grounded Spirituality

Renewing Creation Action Guide

Retraditioning Spirituality

Nurturing Spiritual PracticesSpiritual Practice and Technology

Hope in the Desert

What do I hope for our church?

Hope, How, and Who

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Conclusion


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Preface

When I travelled around the country, presenting the

concepts in Tribal Church and Reframing Hope,

people would often comment, That sounds

wonderful, but how do we make this work in our

church?

Church leaders needed atoolto help them put thewords into action.

Because each community and context is different, there is no

way to hand a leader a list of things that their church must do to

become a vital place in a new generation, but there are tools

that we can use.


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We can look at our histories, engage in our context, and

imagine where we want to be. We can set down plans toward

those goals, and begin to step toward them.

Using the Action Guide

I designed the content of this guide to be used in a group setting

along withReframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New

Generation(Alban, 2010). People are using this guide for

extended yearlong studies and quick overnight retreats. So, you

may want to pick and choose which questions you want to ask,

according to your context, format and participants.


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The content of the guide is set up so that you can have plenty

of material to choose from. The format is visually designed so

that discussion questions and exercises can be downloaded

onto a computer and projected on a screen.

But, no matter how you use the resources, the goal remains the

same:

Inspiring communities to imagine

how they can be a place ofhopefrom

generationtogeneration.


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Practices

The first thing you will want to think about is how you want

to hold the discussions. The most important thing when

studying a text is to make sure that each person can talk.

Often the onlyidea, thought, or pieceof informationthat sticks with a person,

is the one whichcomes out of thepersons own mouth.


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There are different ways of conducting discussions.

Large Group Discussions. In a large group, it may beeasier for the group to break up into two to three people

to answer the question. Then come back together and ask

the entire group if something interesting came up. This

allows everyone to talk, and it lets more introverted

thinkers be able to verbalize their thoughts in a smaller

format before talking in a larger class.

1

groups of2-3

largegroup

respondby age


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Cultural Change Discussions. If in the discussion, you would

like to highlight cultural changes, you can ask people to

respond by age (for example, if youre in your 80s, 70s, 60s,

50s, 40s, 30s, 20s or teens). This is often a fascinating way

to get an oral history of your faith community.

Small Group Discussions.With a smaller group, mutualinvitation is a good practice to use. Mutual invitation is when

the leader invites one person to respond and that person

invites the next person. Of course, anyone who might

want to pass can, but this method often allows people

who are quieter to participate in the conversation more.

2

3

Small Group Leader


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No one wants to spend their weekend on a

guilt trip

Throughout the discussion, keep in mind that there is a fine line

between evaluating a new generation, technology, or trend, and

being judgmental of it.

If youre a congregation which is trying to navigate generationalshifts, you might look at the habits of youger generations, get

frustrated and ask, Why arent they as committed as we

were?

This is an important question to ask, if were ready to hear the

answer and be open to whatwe

might be doing wrong. But ifthe question is only meant to convey judgment, then we will

need to remind ourselves that guilt trips are not attractive, and

no one will be going to our church so they can be shamed.

Society has changed. There is no cultural expectation that a

new generation will attend church.


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One of the best ways to avoid being judgmental is by

encouraging those within a generation or those who are part of

a particular trend to speak for themselves.

For instance, a parent can avoid critical evaluations on behalf of

her sons generation, or someone who has never logged into

Facebook, can refrain from negative perceptions about people

who engage in communication on Facebook.

The opinions of the outsider may be valid, but it may not be the

most constructive way to spend your time together.

When reaching out to anew generation,it is always best to give the people

in that generation thebenefit of the doubt.


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Introduction:What is the Substance of Our Hope?

Much of our hope comes from our histories. It

springs forth when we are able to tell the stories of

our past and when we are able to examine thosethings we would rather ignore. As we begin our study

together, we will be looking at the past.

How do we frame our own stories?How do we frame the

stories of our community?


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Looking at the Past

Family History

Draw your FamilyHistory

Faith Community'sHistory

Construct aTimeline

History ofChristianity

Major Events

Think about your family history. Draw it.

Explain it to the person next to you.


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Do you think of your family history as a timeline, a tree,a venn diagram, or something else?

Does the history revolve around certain people? Or

does it revolve around events?

How did you learn your familys stories? Were there any

secrets left out of your history? How did you find out

about the secrets in your family?

What are the strengths of your family? Are therecharacteristics that you would use to describe them?

Family

History


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What is the history of your faith community?

Can you construct a timeline together?

What are the stories that you tell as a congregation?

What are the things that are left out of the timeline?

How do people in your church respond to skeletons in

the closet?

What are the defining characteristics of yourcommunity?

Is there a story that you would tell that illustrates that

character?

Faith

Community

History


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ChristianHistory

Think about the history of Christianity.

Can you write down a few major events together (i.e,

Pentecost, the Reformation)?

When you think of Christianity as a whole, are there

particular things that are painful to recall?

Are there things that Christians have done in your

lifetime that are hard to bear?

What are the things that you love about our faith?

What characteristics of Christian people or Christian

communities make you the most proud?


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Framing

the Future

As we work on reframing, were not only looking

at our past, but were also imagining our future

together. What sort of things give you hope for the

future? What are you the most excited about?

Number your paper from 1-20. Complete the

following sentence twenty times: When I imaginethe next 20 years at our church, Im most excited

about ____________.

You may do this exercise individually and share

the answers as a group.


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When I imagine the

next 20 years at ourchurch, I'm mostexcited about...


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Chapter One:Redistributing Authority

One of the major shifts that occurred since our

congregations were formed has to do with the way

that we perceive and respond to authority. How have

our attitudes toward authority shifted? How does

that affect our congregations?

4) Shareyour

stories bydecade

1) Break intogroups of 2-3

2) What wasyour attitude

towardauthority?

3) Did itchange?


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Break up into groups of 2-3.

When you were growing up, what was your attitude toward

authority? How did you view teachers, politicians, doctors, and

pastors?

Did your attitude toward authority shift when you were growing

up? What political, cultural or technological events changed the

way that you viewed authority?

Watch the YouTube video Duck and Cover Original 1950

Airing

Speaking from

generation to

generation.Begin with,Would anyone inhis or her 90s like

to tell a story aboutyour attitudetoward authority?

Would anyone inhis or her 80s liketo tell a story?

Encourage peopleto refrain fromdescribing another

generation. (Forexample, if

someone tries toexplain how hisgrandson treatsauthority.)


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Do you have Duck and Cover stories? How did you find outabout nuclear weapons? Do you think that the introduction of

these weapons changed the way that we regard authority?

How has technology affected our attitudes toward authority?

When you were a teenager and you had a question, what did

you do? Identify a teenager, parent, or someone who currently

works with children or youth. Where do teenagers go with their

questions now?

If you were a parent, and you had a question about raising your

child, what did you do? What about parents now?


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Where do wecreate space for

questions?

Where have othercommunities

created that space?

What would welike to do in the

future?

How have our congregations created spaces in which wecan question? What would you like to do in the future?

Share your ideas and brainstorm as a group.


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Chapter Two:Re-forming Community

Along with the shifting nature of the ways in which

we view authority, we are also changing the ways in

which we form community. In many ways, we are

moving from a pyramid to a network. What are our

attitudes toward institutions, individualism, and

community? How do these changes impact our

congregations?


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Tell a story of someone who mentored you. What made that

mentor effective?

What was stressed as more valuable when you were growingup: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or a sense that

you were baptized into a community of faith?


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What do you believe is more important now?

What are the most important communities for you? What

characteristics make them important?

What would the Church lose if we began to think less as aninstitution and more as a community? What would we gain?

Where is community most visible in your church? What

generations/demographics are not a part of your church

communities? How can you begin to make space for these lost

demographics?


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Chapter Three:Reexamining the Medium

We will explore how we can use technology as a

ministry tool and think about its dangers and

downsides.

In our churches, many of us are moving from

face-to-facecommunication to

interface communication.


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Tell a story about when you first started using email. Did you

expect to use it as much as you do today?

Which social media tools does your local congregation use?

Do you use newsletters, discussion groups, and email?

Is your church already involved with social media without thecongregation realizing it? Google the name of your church.

Does it come up on blogs or Flickr? Is there a Google Maps

review?

As a church leader, how would you respond to a bad review or

a negative blog post?


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How would your congregation respond to a church leader

who blogged or tweeted? Would your church see it as an

asset or a liability?

Do you think that people can be nastier when they are

involved in social media? Why do you think that happens? Are

there occasions that people involved in social media are more

caring and kind? Relate a story of your personal experience.


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Social Media Response Plan

If you find out that someone is harassing a church leader or spreading

rumors about your church through the Internet, your approach will need

to be two-fold: internal and external.

If people are hurt in the situation, then you need to make sure that theyare taken care of, heard, and supported within the body. Our internal

response needs to center around the social media that the church

uses: discussion groups, newsletters, or Facebook.

The external response can be a kind word to the blogger or Twitterer.

Something like, Im so sorry you had that experience. Is there anythingthat we can do to make it better?


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The external response can also include an invitation to take the

discussion off-line. Often people become frustrated because they dontfeel like their concerns are being heard, so a simple please email me if

you would like to discuss this further can be helpful.

Do not respond with a show of force that is inconsistent to the threat.

For instance, if a visitor twitters something funny during the church

service, then dont threaten to sue him or her. It will just make the church

look bad, and the original joke will attract a lot more attention.

If the person refuses to take it off-line and the frustration seems to

increase, it is okay to walk away from the discussion. At least on-lookers

will know that the church leaders have tried to reach out. For every one

person who responds, there are often hundreds who read and dont

respond. Keep them in mind as you reply.

*many of these insights were gleaned from my discussion with Charlene Li on God Complex Radio and Harvard Business Review

(December 2010).


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What would you add to the response plan?

Do you think anonymity should be allowed on the Internet?

Have you ever been attacked on the Internet? How did you

respond?

Is there a digital divide in your community or your church? How

do you handle it so that everyone is involved and active in the

conversation?

A good resource for further discussion can be found at God

Complex Radio 3.1 Charlene Li and Meredith Gould: Social

Media and the Church.


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Chapter Four:Retelling the Message

Another change that has occurred in our culture is

how we tell and understand stories. How has

storytelling changed in your lifetime? How we can

harvest stories in our congregations?


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Did television change the way that your family told stories? How

did TV football change Thanksgiving and New Years Eve?

Do you remember hearing a story that changed how you thought

about yourself (for instance, did reading Jane Austen inspire you

to be cleverer? Did reading superhero comics make you desire

to be braver?)

How do you read Scripture that doesnt make sense in light of

the scientific knowledge we have now? Have you ever been in a

situation where you have been uncomfortable with a scientific

reading of the Bible?


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Are there any stories of Scripture that have resonated with you?Are there any characters in the Bible who have inspired you at

different times in your life? Tell a story of when that happened.

Can you think of a time when telling stories helped you build

community (for instance, in a 12-step group, a veterans group, abook club, or a church)?


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Ideas for Harvesting Stories in Your Congregation

During a Lenten series, have people from different generations (someone

in his or her 70s, 60s, 50s, etc.) tell a story about a decision they had to

make, and how they sensed God helping them make that decision.

During Advent, ask people to share a Christmas tradition from when they

were growing up.

During a prayer group or Sunday school class, ask people to reflect on a

mentor or friend who inspired them in the Christian Faith.


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In a new members class, invite each person to tell their spiritual journey.

Have the pastor or the person in charge of the class begin with his/her

story, and each person can follow. Make it clear that the participants can

say as much or as little as they want.

Meet in neighborhood groups, or have zip code parties and invite people

to talk about an experience they had when they felt like God was with

them.

Celebrate All Saints Day or Ash Wednesday, by inviting people to tell

stories about an important friend, family member, or loved one who died.

During stewardship season, you can invite people to tell a time when the

church was there for them.

In a new member class, invite each person to tell their spiritual journey.

Have the pastor or the person in charge of the class begin with his/her

story, and each person can follow. Make it clear that the participants can

say as much or as little as they want.


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Where do you tell stories in your congregation? Where

can you provide a space for your church members to tell

stories?

Can you articulate a story of your church? Is there a place

where you can put some of these harvested stories?

Homes for Harvested Stories

Church website

YouTube

Encourage people to use them as

they talk to their friends, in order tospread the word about your

congregation

YELP reviewsTwitter

Stewardship campaign


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Chapter Five:Reinventing Activism

In different ways, a new generation is reframing our

longing for the establishment of Gods reign among

us. What is deepening this longing for justice in a

new generation? What changes are taking place in

our attitudes? How are we taking up new tools

satisfy this yearning for Gods reign?


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When have you sensed the reign of God in the life of your

congregation?

How do you understand the reign of God? Does it inspire you?

Are you idealistic or pragmatic when you look at social justice

issues? Or, are you a bit of both?

What are the greatest needs in your community? Are there

gifted people who are involved in causes? Can your

congregation learn about the needs and support them?


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Do you use social media toorganize? If your group participates

in social media to raise awareness of social need, when haveyou seen it used effectively?

Brainstorm ways in which you could use social media to

organize, connect, or spread the word about a particular

cause.

For wonderful and fun ideas, check out Miriams Kitchens

Twitter feed and YouTube clips.


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Chapter Six:Renewing Creation

In vibrant faith communities, we can often see a

theological, emotional, and practical approach to

caring for creation. And in a new generation, it will beimportant for Christians to continue to nurture a

grounded spirituality.


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Have you ever had an experience where you felt deeply

connected to the ground? Have you ever had an experience

where you experienced God through nature? Tell a story of a

time when you had that feeling.

Was there ever a time when you felt surprised by nature? When

you were fascinated by a seed or couldnt believe how quickly

something grew?

What is the context of your congregation? Are you in an urban,

suburban, or rural area? What sort of food or environmental

movements rising up in your area? Are there things that people

in your church are already participating in?

Often caring for creation is something different generations can

learn from each other. Those who grew up with Depression era

parents often know a great deal about recycling and

conserving. Are there ways in which your congregation can

engage in intergenerational learning?


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Renewing Creation Action List

Work with local organizations to see if there are any that might provide an energy audit.

For instance, Interfaith Power and Light is a great non-profit that partners with

congregations fostering creation care.

Check to see if your lighting set up is the best for saving electricity.

Check your windows. Are they energy efficient?

If you need money for more energy efficient buildings, heating, or other repairs, check

with your denomination or local government for grants or funding.

Does your congregation have a Green Team? You may want to gather a group together

who would be interested in washing dishes, doing laundry, working a garden, orexploring alternative energy solutions.


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Renewing Creation Action List (Contd)

Explore your energy sources. Is there a way that your congregation can use wind

power, solar, or methane? Explore clean energy alternatives that can be accessed

without installing panels, or wind turbines.

Could your congregation start a Farmers Market?

Could your congregation glean after a Farmers Market for the local homeless

kitchen?

Could your congregation begin a community garden?

Could your church begin a trash-free refreshment time?

Promote a carbon fast in your congregation. What are other ways in which you can tie

your practice of caring for creation to the liturgical calendar? Are there other ways in

which you can make creation care a spiritual practice?


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Chapter Seven:Retraditioning Spirituality

Reframing Hope highlights practicing prayer,

developing intuition, and seeking direction as

important spiritual disciplines. What spiritual

practices have been important in your life?


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Name a discipline that you regularly practice (it can be as

simple as putting together a gratitude list). How do you do it?

What time of day? Does this practice help you when youre

feeling stressed out? Or depressed?

How does your congregation teach people how to pray? Is it

through modeling or instruction?

Would you be interested in making a practice a greater part of

your daily life? Is there someone who could hold you

accountable to your discipline?

Have you ever been a part of a spiritual discipline on the

Internet? Have you ever had Facebook friends praying for you

or attended a service on Second Life? Have you ever prayed

the hours or attended a memorial on Twitter? How did you

feel about that experience? (Be sure to answer only if you

have participated in a discipline through social media. Do not

with your opinion as an outsider.)


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Conclusion:Hope in the Desert

Even in our driest deserts we can see tributaries of

hope in the horizon. Where are the hopeful places in

our church community? How can we begin to

verbalize those hopes? Where is God calling us?

And how can we take those first steps to get there?


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Collage

1. Get a blank sheet of paper, and write, What do I hope for our

church? on it.

2. Flip through magazines, and spontaneously rip out the pictures

and words that jump out at you. Do not think about them; just rip

them out.

3. Glue them onto your piece of paper, covering over the question.

4. When you have completed your collage, then spend 15-20

minutes writing about it. What pictures remind you of the past?

What pictures make you hopeful for the future?

5. Explain your collage to one other person.

6. In a larger group, explain one image or one word in your collage.


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Next Steps

With your collage in mind, to what steps do you feel God is

calling you? Individually, list out at least five hopes. Think long

term (the goals may take 5-20 years). Do not to censure

yourself with things like Wed never have enough money to do

that or We would never have enough people to accomplish

that. Usually money and people come aftera vision is set.

Come back together as a group. Share your hopes and

brainstorm more that arise collectively. Have someone list

them on a sheet of newsprint. Again, make sure that the group

does not reject any ideas at this point. A bad idea can

stimulate a great vision.


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Hope How Who

Look at the compiled list. Are there certain hopes which generate

a lot of excitement and energy? Focus on three or four things.

Now list How your congregation might accomplish them. List

those things

Imagine Who could help you. Is there a committee in place who

would be equipped to take on the work? Can you think of a

group of people who would be great at that specific goal? Are

there people who have already been interested in that particular

hope?

As you put the plan into action, be sure to be open and flexibleto how things might take place. We plan, but often God surprises

us with how things happen. Keep your hopes ever before you.

Constantly remind yourself and the congregation of your hopes.

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