In formation, individuals and the community as a whole ask
the question, "Who is God calling me (us) to be?" Like a tree that
needs its roots nourished before the leaves can flourish and fruit be produced,
the exploration and development of a "right" relationship with God is
essential to the vitality of a congregation. Several tools are used in the
diocese of Wyoming to facilitate the formation of the church community. Some of
these are:
Both Rooted in God and Wade in the Water are excellent
programs for the introduction of communal formation. LifeCycles is an ongoing
program which encourages both individual and community development in this
relationship. Other education programs, such as Education for Ministry are more
self-directed learning.
Rooted in God: Moving From Maintenance to Mission
Rooted in God is a both a program and a process which will
help the congregation determine your congregation’s unique calling in God’s
work. Participants will be led through an exploration of what it means to be
the Church, and guided on a journey to discern what God is particularly calling
their community to become and do.
The program looks at some of the different ways Christian
communities have been structured and grown throughout history to help members
ask “How can we be the best Christian community possible?” rather than “How can
we just get by?” Taking into consideration both the need to nourish and
maintain the existing congregation, while also seriously considering Gospel
call to share God’s love (Missional Theology), members are encouraged to
envision a new future for their congregation. Because a church is her people,
much of this conversation takes place in the process of individual formation,
i.e. exploring who God is calling us to be as the individuals who make up God’s
family and who do the ministry of the parish. During the program the following
objectives are pursued:
Introduction of members to the concept of paradigm change
in the Church as the movement of the Holy Spirit which continues to work in our
midst.
Exploration of “power” and “relationship” as it is lived
out in our covenant with God.
Exploration of the Benedictine understanding of
“obedience” and how we might hear and understand God’s will in our lives and
our community.
Exploration of the Benedictine concept of “stability” and
assessing the foundation of our present individual faith and the congregation.
Exploration of the Benedictine ideal of “transformation”
and looking forward to new life in God’s Holy Spirit.
Writing a “Congregational Rule of Life” which will serve
to guide the parish in fully living into our covenant, i.e. our communal life
with God, and set the stage for goals long into the future.
The process of Rooted in God, while some outside reading is
required, is mostly experiential and geared toward discussion and interactive
learning. Participants come together twice a month for two hours, share
leadership responsibilities and creatively engage the material together.
Throughout the months when the participants are meeting, the whole congregation
will be informed of and invited to grapple with the foundational questions
which are being asked. The ending “Rule of Life” workshop will be open to all members
of the congregation, with the participants of Rooted forming the core group of
presenters and discussion leaders.
