Leading Prayerful Meetings Sandy Zeigler Jackson

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Opening

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Prayer Concerns

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Scripture “ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another …. ” Hebrews 10:24-25

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Means of Grace Worship Prayer Searching the Scriptures Lord’s Supper Fasting or Abstinence Christian Conferencing (Group Fellowship)

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Christian Conferencing Wesley/ History

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Four Parts of a Meeting/ Four Parts of Worship 4 parts of worship: 4 parts of a meeting: Entrance Gathering Proclamation Listening and Response Thanksgiving Commitment and Communion Sending Forth

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Tithing Our Meeting Time 6 Minutes for every hour should be spent focusing on God

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. First Things First Light Christ Candle Brief devotion/Scripture Hymn or chorus Responsive reading Gather prayer concerns Prayer – over agenda and concerns

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. During the Meeting Focus on God’s purpose for this meeting

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Discernment Look for God’s guidance Listen for God’s call “to see to the heart of the matter with spiritual eyes”

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Consensus –Creates cooperative dynamic –Work together for best possible decision for the group Parliamentary Procedure –Creates competitive dynamic –Ideas owned and defended Choose a meeting process

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. The Consensus Process Introduction: –Clarify the process –Present the proposal or issue –Invite questions to clarify the proposal or issue Discussion Call for consensus Identify Concerns Resolve Concerns using questions to clarify the concerns discuss one concern at a time

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Consensus Process

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. The Consensus Process Alternative Closing Options – if consensus cannot be reached –Agree to stand aside –Send to a committee –Declare a block

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Foundations of Consensus Trust Respect Unity of Purpose Nonviolence Self Empowerment Cooperation Conflict Resolution Commitment to the group Active Participation Equal access to Power Patience

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Impediments to Consensus Lack of Training External hierarchical structures – Pulling rank Social prejudice

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Every interest is heard and understood. Everyone accepts the outcome (not necessarily agree – stand aside). Accepted because they believe they were heard and a good response was heard. All seek alternatives that address everyone’s concerns and interests, something greater (higher ground) than anyone’s preconceived ideas (newness). Obligation not to stymie but to help the group meet your interests and needs. Obligation to continue to try to meet the interests and needs of those who stand aside. Group ownership Consensus

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Takes Time Consensus

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, Exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things t o thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, Let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition

12 PT FONT FOR TEAM NAME. CHANGE IN MASTER SLIDE VIEW. Copyright “Leading Prayerful Meetings” Copyright © 2007 The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, PO Box , Nashville TN Website: This presentation may be reprinted and used for nonprofit local church and educational purposes with the inclusion of the complete copyright citation plus the words "Used by permission." It may not be sold, republished, altered, used for profit, or placed on a website not under the auspices of The General Board of Discipleship.