1. Action Reflection Model
Living System Ministry
Action Reflection Model
A Useful Tool in Ministry
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

2. What is it? What is the action/reflection model?
***The answer to this question will show how the action/reflection model is a useful tool in ministry.***
An action/reflection model of ministry is just that – acting and reflecting. While being involved in various kinds of activities, this tool involves intentionally reflecting on the usefulness of the activities we have just been involved in, and making adaptations accordingly. At the same time, it also includes the converse – first doing research to reflect on types of ministries, and then acting on those ideas and plans.
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 2

3. What is it? Doing Learning
The action/reflection model is always a constant interplay of doing and learning, and learning and doing. Rather than being locked into one assumption or one way of doing, you embrace an iterative process where you eventually may reach your goal, but you get there through many iterations of trying something, doing thoughtful analysis, and starting again from where you left off last time.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Have you ever engaged in reflection while in the middle of a ministry activity or program? If so, what effect did that have? (stop, think, and discuss).
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 3

4. Why is it useful? Why is the action/reflection model useful?
As fallen creatures living in a fallen world, we are imperfect. Though our actions may be well-intentioned, we must be aware that unintended negative returns exist and will happen. By engaging in the action/reflection model, we’re constantly checking to see if we are being counterproductive, and we are on the lookout for negative outcomes so that we can adjust our actions appropriately.
Related teaching points:
Fallenness
We are a fallen creation
We are dealing with a fallen world where things move toward disorder and spiritual forces are against us
We have a limited understanding of God’s living systems
Unintended negative returns
When working among living systems, whatever we do to accomplish something has an unintended negative return that can add to the problem rather than solve it
See module 2-8 Unintended Negative Returns to learn more
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 4

5. Why is it useful?
It is helpful if reflection takes place while we are carrying out our ministry actions, not only after we’ve finished. While it is still helpful to evaluate a program or activity after it is completed, it is greatly beneficial to reflect on and evaluate a program while it is still running so that you can make midcourse corrections before things get worse.
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 5

6. How do you do it?
Ask, “What is really getting the job done, from a systemic perspective?”
How do you do the action/reflection model?
Either by yourself, or better, with your ministry peers, stop and think about what you are doing. Jump start the learning process by asking questions such as these.
Ask, “What is really getting the job done, from a systemic perspective?” You are not asking “what am I doing?” or “what are we doing?” but “what are the instruments of change that are already at work within and around the system we are concerned about today?”
Related teaching point: System questions
Asking “How does the job get done?” moves the focus away from ourselves and our limitations, and trains us to think systemically instead of in simple, mechanistic, cause-and-effect ways. Then our actions will be aligned with the living system and have a greater probability of producing fruit.
See module 3-15 Asking System Questions to learn more
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 6

7. Ask “What are the dynamics that make this work?”
Ask, “What are the dynamics that make this work?” We are seeking to move beyond mere cause-and-effect thinking to discern what may be the powerful and invisible variables at play affecting the system we are concerned about today.
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8. Ask “How can we strengthen what is really working?”
Ask, “How can we strengthen what is really working?” When we discern and identify the important variables that are causing positive change on the system, we ask how we might come alongside those influential dynamics to make their impact on the system even more effective. Or we might say, what is causing fruit to grow, and how can we water or nurture that so the system will be even more fruitful?
Then discuss and/or write out your answers. Give yourself plenty of time to ponder your observations, and then make adjustments to your plan as you move ahead.
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 8

9. What is the action/reflection
So…
What is the action/reflection
model?
The participants should now be able to answer this question.
KEY TEACHING POINTS:
The action/reflection model means intentionally reflecting on the usefulness of the activities you have just been involved in, and making adaptations accordingly
The action/reflection model creates a constant interplay of doing and learning, and learning and doing.
The action/reflection model is a tool for learning to understand the nature of the living systems at work around us and how we might nurture them for more effectiveness and fruitfulness.
© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 9