March 30, 2011

The Little Church That Could

“We had an emergency building committee meeting on Thursday. The boiler is failing. But when I left the meeting, after 2 hours, I was so energized!”

That isn’t the usual response from a property committee chair. But it was Liz’s response when I asked her to tell me about one of her best experiences in our parish - a time when she felt really excited or encouraged by the ministries of our congregation.

I asked the question on Sunday during one of our “Appreciative Inquiry” events. Since 2007 I’ve been working with a few others to facilitate, at least annually, parish-wide gatherings when members and others affiliated with the church join a process of inquiry into the best of our mission and ministries, and of visioning for our future. The event starts by having people interview one another about their best experiences, their values, the core values of this congregation, and their wishes for our future. We share our answers in small groups and listen for life-giving themes. We usually end with a creative exercise to envision the future if we incorporated all these life-giving ideas. 

This past weekend the focus of our inquiry was the connection between ministry and property. As we discern whether to have a capital campaign to improve our buildings, we wanted to get input about how our ministries, now and in the future, can be better supported by our physical plant.

When I interviewed Liz about a time she was most excited, she replied “Right now!” and gave the example of Thursday’s property committee meeting. She was energized not because the boiler was breaking (and may now break the savings account), but because the little team of three lay people and the rector had done their homework, asked the right questions, knew the finances, gotten good counsel, learned from one another, and made decisions in confidence. Liz and Dorothy had initiated this property team a few years ago, and their labor is now bearing fruit.

Liz perceived what I’ve sensed, too – new energy, new commitment, new talent, and new ministries growing up around us. For example, two years ago we started a street outreach ministry to the homeless every Saturday. We’ve cleaned up, repaired,and beautified our outside space around the Sanctuary and Parish Hall. This past year we had three successful fundraising and community building events: a “Ginormous Rummage Sale,” a Neighborhood Craft Fair, and a fantastic Mardi Gras Party.

What’s happening in this small parish? How is it that we’re doing so much more lately, and people are more energized? There are lots of factors, I’m sure, but here are a few factors that might be replicable elsewhere:

• Go two by two. I haven’t verified this, but observation tells me that if just two people are passionate about an idea and committed to do something together, the likelihood of success is much greater than a solo ministry (or even a big committee!). Let’s remember, Jesus sent the disciples out two by two.
• Give people permission and support. At the end of Appreciative Inquiry gatherings we let people know the ideas they generated will go back to the vestry or appropriate people to consider how to implement. But we also encourage folks to take these ideas, hone them, and act. Sure they need to check in with others, but no one is stopping people from trying to implement a good idea.
• Follow passion and interest. “Committees” haven’t been our norm. What I see now are two or three dedicated leaders stepping up to something they are passionate about. Then they actively invite others to engage when and where their own passions, talent, and time allow. Gardeners garden. Carpenters build things. Interns show up for street outreach. I lead “process” events. Everyone can fit in somewhere and feel like they matter.
• Interest is more important than knowledge. At least at first. Members of the property committee confess they didn’t know much about it when they started. But they love learning, care about our place, and are committed to learning whatever else they need to know.
• Engage with resources and people outside the parish. The building committee has relied on diocesan staff, local historians, and community resources to help assess and address our needs. The fundraising committee has partnered with local businesses, artists, musicians, and neighbors. The Street Outreach and Food Pantry teams have strong relationships with local university groups, youth Cadets, medical students, and community service providers. All these expand our networks in the community, provide valuable information or resources, and multiply the number of people available to make ministry happen.

And I think our yearly Appreciative Inquiry gatherings have undergirded and encouraged all this with a spirit of gratitude for our past, awareness of the Spirit in our midst, and encouragement to step confidently into the future God is envisioning for us.

Now I’m excited! Thinking of all that our little church has done gives me hope for what other congregations can achieve.

PS   To see how we did Appreciative Inquiry, check out the resources in Your Turn section of this website.