Tapestry of Faith: Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition: A Lay Leadership Development Program for Adults

Alternate Activity 1: Juggling Act

(10 Minutes)

Materials

  • Newsprint, markers, and wall-safe tape
  • Items to juggle safely, such as bean bags or small soft balls

Preparation

  • If you or your co-facilitator are not able to juggle, recruit a juggler to help you with this activity.
  • Write the following questions on newsprint, and post where all participants can see it:
    • When you keep all the balls in the air, how do you feel physically? Mentally?
    • When you drop important balls, how do you feel physically? Mentally?
    • Are all these balls yours to juggle, or are you juggling someone else’s balls?

Description

This is activity is a physical demonstration of having to balance many demands at the same time.

While juggling (or while your guest juggles), tell participants that congregational leaders are like jugglers trying to keep all the balls in the air. Embellish the analogy to congregational life as much as possible. Invite participants to assign specific task responsibilities to each item you have in the air.

Perform (or encourage the guest to perform) whatever juggling tricks you have. Have fun!

While juggling, or after you have finished, indicate the three questions on newsprint. Ask participants to keep these questions in mind as they go about their work as leaders.