In this workshop, participants practice looking at the structures, committees, and formal and informal groups of the congregation as an inter-related, interconnected system. They will identify relational and emotional patterns within the congregation as they examine congregational changes and challenges. They consider how leaders can build the system’s health and resilience by focusing on strengthening and supporting relationships within the leadership team and with the congregation.
In This Section
Introduction
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
In this workshop, participants practice looking at the structures, committees, and formal and informal groups of the congregation as an inter-related, interconnected system. They will identify relational and emotional patterns within the congregation as they examine congregational changes and challenges.
Opening
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
Light the chalice, and share this reading from Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown: Many of us have been socialized to understand...
Activity 1: Tapping Out of "Fake Fights"
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
Have the participant you chose read the story to the group. Then, point out examples of fake, or proxy, fights that Ladd names: disagreements about by-laws at the annual meeting, or paint colors, or whether and how to speak out on public issues.
Activity 2: Congregations as Systems
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
Share with participants the scenario in Handout 1. Share this definition of systems thinking, adapted from multiple sources including the book, How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems by Peter Steinke and the website, Learning for Sustainability:
Activity 4: Faith and Conflict
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
Have the group brainstorm conflicts or dilemmas facing their congregation(s) and select two or three to examine closely. Invite participants to form groups of four to six to examine an issue (either the issue that most interests them or a single issue, whichever you chose).
Faith In Action: Though a Systems Lens
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
Consider some of your congregation’s social justice projects and programs, using a systems lens. How does your congregation engage with the community? What relationships, both within and outside the congregation, comprise your congregation’s social justice system?
Closing
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
Distribute copies of Taking It Home or tell the group when you will email it. Invite participants to reflect on their own leadership style by asking, “Are there things that you plan to approach differently as a result of this workshop?”
Leader Reflection and Planning for Workshop 6
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
Consider and discuss these questions with your co-facilitator: Looking at each activity in this workshop, what worked as well as or better than you had anticipated? What did not work as well as you had anticipated?
Taking It Home: Faith and Conflict
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
Take-home suggestions and resources for participants in Workshop 6 of Harvest the Power, 2nd edition.
Alternate Activity 1: Alternate Systems Thinking Scenarios
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition
The two scenarios in Handout 3 are less complex than the Heavenly Unitarian Universalist Congregation scenario presented in Activity 2, Handout 1, and the events that cause the system to react come from outside rather than inside the organization.
Download all of Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition (Word) (PDF ) to edit or print.