Covenant Lighthouse

Part of Deeper Joy

December 15, 2023

Covenant Lighthouse Transcript (RTF)

Intro to the Covenant Lighthouse

Standing tall on the far right edge of the map, the red and white Covenant Lighthouse beams with a bright, guiding light. It’s the trusty beacon that helps everyone navigate through stormy seas and stay true to their principles.

In This Section

Covenant-Making Shapes the Covenant Keepers
From Deeper Joy

Covenant is a verb disguised as a noun. It’s like the Zen koan:the finger pointing at the moon is not the moon. The written covenant, whether it’s a page, a poster, or a neat list on the website, is just the finger. The actual covenant is the lived, relational, commitments we make with each other to
Cracking Open the Covenant on the Wall
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: good for groups for whom covenant making has become mechanic or boring. Take examples of statements that usually end up on a covenant. Then assign one phrase to each pair or small group and invite them to unpack it. Includes discussion questions.
From Many to One Covenant Activity
From Deeper Joy

Works best for: A group where some people are dominant speakers and others’ voices go unheard, a larger group, a group that has difficulty coming to agreement. Each person writes down a few key points they would like included, the group elects delegates to synthesize.
Ideation Activity for Covenants
From Deeper Joy

Works best for: with members who’ve built a covenant before, a group of less than 8 people, when you have time for discussion. Start with a blank page and whatever is in the minds of participants. The group goes through four stages of ideating.
Needs and Gifts Covenant Framework
From Deeper Joy

Works well: when using From Many to One or the Ideation Activity. Optional: share a list of needs (search “universal needs”) and gifts (search “talents and skills for community”) for members to choose from. Framework: Our covenants are our promises to each other. One of the things that makes…
One Strong Body Covenant Activity
From Deeper Joy

Works well: with members who connect with imagery. Draw the outline of a body on the paper. Inside the the body participants add images and drawings that represent belonging. Outside the body they add images representing exclusion.
Our Temporary Autonomous Zone
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: good for groups who will be together over a longer period of time and are taking action together. A Temporary Autonomous Zone is a container where people try on liberating practices to create new worlds. Discussion questions included.
Sacred Promises Framework
From Deeper Joy

Parameters: works best for groups that have some experience in faith formation. Our covenants are sacred promises. By “sacred,” we mean that which we hold aside as special, elevated, venerated; sacrosanct. A sacred promise is one dedicated to a divine purpose—a purpose of ultimate concern for you.
Scaffold Activity for Covenants
From Deeper Joy

Works best for: a group that’s never covenanted before and needs a lot of guidance or a group with a very short amount of time to build a covenant. Add, change and rearrange is the name of the game. The facilitators of the group provide a starting point for the covenanting process.
The Quickest Covenant in the World
From Deeper Joy

Works well for fast-paced settings, the start of a gathering, or moments when energy is high and time is short.