Circle Process Continuum
Part of Sociocracy Resources
By Renee Ruchotzke

Humans have been meeting in circles for eons. Today's peace circle practices originated in Native American and other indigenous people’s traditions. At its root, the practice of peace circles provide a container where people with an issue can discuss or resolve it in an environment grounded in the values of love, curiosity, respect, caring, cooperation, mutuality, accountability – the covenantal values of the Beloved Community.
Circles can provide the opportunity for each person to share in turn and to be heard in turn. In a circle, everyone can see everyone else during the sharing, the better to pick up nuances of facial expression and body language. Circles can be impromptu and informal, or they can be intentionally planned and highly scripted.
Circles that promote deep listening, equivalence, and involvement in decision-making can be an effective way to foster diveristy, equity, and inclusion in your congregation. Circles can also be used in times of anxiety or conflict, or when there is a need to address past harms.
You might think of circle processes are a group spiritual practice, with the emphasis on practice! Facilitating circles also takes practice and training, with low-intensity, low-anxiety circles not needing as much skill as circles where people have differences or are in conflict.
The following continuum may be helpful in understanding and using different kinds of circles in your congregation, and the kind of practice and training that are needed for each.
Type of Circle | Purpose | Facilitation Skill Level |
---|---|---|
Peace Circle |
|
Minimal (Trained/Mentored by other Congregational Leaders) |
Small Group Ministry |
|
Minimal (Trained/Mentored by other Congregational Leaders) |
Discernment Circles |
|
Moderate (Formal In-House Training or Outside Training) |
Decision Circles |
|
Moderate (Formal In-House Training or Outside Training) |
Policy Circles |
|
Moderate-to-High (Formal In-House Training or Outside Training) |
Healing Circles |
|
High (Outside Training) |
Resilience Circles |
|
High (Outside Training) |
Restorative Circles |
|
Professional (Outside Facilitator Recommended) |
Restorative Justice Conferences |
|
Professional (Outside Facilitator Recommended) |
Additional Resources
- Your Regional Staff
- Restore Circles A collaboration of circle practitioners seeking to create a structure of support and accountability for those who see the power of circles in the effort to transform institutions and strengthen communities.
- The Circle Way: A Leader In Every Chair by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea
- We the People: Consenting to a Deeper Democracy by John Buck & Sharon Villines
- The Little Book of Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr