Daring to Dream for the Ontario Area October 15, 2016 Equipping for Mission Daring to Dream for the Ontario Area October 15, 2016

Appreciative Inquiry Just like plants grow towards the light…so too organizations grow towards what is life-giving, central and important to them. What is central in our organization?

A New Way of Being Together Organizations that focus on the positive see noticeable change and improvement overall Accentuate the positive rather than eliminate the negative

Our Story: Disciples in Ontario

RecapAllCan2016: We Have GIFTS GALORE! Young people, more youth involvement, willing to take on more responsibilities Quebec Camp property, great camp facilities Church buildings Location Diversity – cultures, genders, ages Energy Ninja skills Regional Minister Financial support for camp Gifted, wonderful pastors Great generosity – eg migrant workers, homemade preserves, very generous with mission work Cultural diversity – Toronto/Guelph Differences Mentorship from older to younger Good group of camp volunteers Educational institutions – Emmanuel, Western, McMaster

RecapAllCan2016: We Are Doing Ministry! Newsletter Fellowship Sunday Pulpit exchange VBS Camp – youth, OCYF, CIT, Adult retreat, family camp, camp manager Church plant Mission work Women’s group Pastoral exchange Multi-culturalism Fellowship Supported Sugarbush financially and through advisory committee Supporting WoC, Regional Work, Global Ministries

RecapAllCan2016: At our BEST, we are: Multicultural Strong camping program Inclusive Responsive Community –oriented Growing Shattering fear, hate, oppression (essential) Fellowship Cooperation Camping Connect (glue) Responsive Good on occasion Connects Support Food Why do you stay with the OACC / Disciples of Christ? Why are you involved? Why is our best the best?

What is Possible for the OACC? What is going well? Where are opportunities (not problems!)? How do we want to be together going forward? What would happen if “our best” was the norm and not the exception? What if “our best” was who we were everyday?

How Do We Want to Be Together? What qualities, values, and “seeds” do we want to hold onto going forward? What do we want to celebrate? What will we be known for? What should we look like? 5-7 words that describe who we are, that we commit to living into

Next Steps Strike a small group to continue to work on what we have started Set a date(s) to meet Keep in contact with leaders from each congregation – lines of communication wide open Commit to prayer this new approach & the work we do! Celebrate the gifts we have, accentuate the positive! Live this new heart-space every day

Daring to Dream for the Ontario Area October 15, 2016 Equipping for Mission Daring to Dream for the Ontario Area October 15, 2016