| |
AI in the Press: Article Detail |
'Seek It' Summit Culminates in Celebration and Affirmation
Worldwide Faith News
Date: 06/24/2004
Edition: Online
Annotation: The American Baptist Church has been embarking upon an Appreciative Inquiry for over a year now. This article describes their most recent AI Summit into creating a new vision/ mission for the church.
From Worldwide Faith News
Date Thu, 24 Jun 2004 08:18:56 -0700
Direction for Vision and Mission
American Baptist News Service (Green Lake, Wis. 6/22/04)--In an atmosphere
of joyful celebration, passionate prayer and the fellowship and bonding of
diverse American Baptists, the 110 participants at the "Seek It Summit"
here this week concluded an historic meeting yesterday energized and
optimistic about the future direction and Christ-centered impact of
American Baptist Churches USA and affirmed that American Baptists are "a
people of prayer, purpose and passion."
Drawing upon an unprecedented number of responses from laity and clergy
across the country, the participants listened through prayer, worship and
discussion for God's call upon American Baptists.
In a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit, delegates produced a proposed
vision statement for the denomination:
"A people of prayer, purpose, and passion...
We are American Baptists"
"American Baptists are a Christ-centered, biblically grounded, ethnically
diverse people called to radical personal discipleship in Christ
Jesus. Our commitment to Jesus propels us to nurture authentic
relationships with one another; build healthy churches; transform our
communities, our nations and our world; engage every member in hands-on
ministry; and speak the prophetic word in love.
"As a people of prayer, purpose, and passion, we are in the forefront of
creating a community of faith where people of every race, nationality and
culture gather as one in worship, service and work.
"The heart of the gospel is God's redemptive love. In our life together,
the world will see the power of forgiveness to overcome alienation, the
strength of love to transform hate, the power of grace to break the bonds
of guilt, the triumph of hope over despair, and the victory of faith over
doubt.
"Through the cross of Christ we embrace the world as neighbor. Our vision
for mission energizes a multitude of servant ministries of evangelism,
discipleship, leadership, new church development, social justice, healing,
peacemaking, economic development and education. Empowered by the Holy
Spirit, we work together in mutual submission, humility, love, and giving
that the gospel might be preached and lived in all the world."
Those at the Summit represented the broad ethnic, racial, geographic, age
and theological diversity of the denomination. Many expressed an increased
appreciation for American Baptist mission--and for each other--through the
positive interaction, dialog and frequent periods of prayer that were part
of four days of small and large group work.
The "Seek It" Summit, held June 18-21, is the culmination of the
denomination-wide "Seek It" endeavor begun nine months ago. Subtitled
"Finding God's Way for a New Day," "Seek It" has utilized the Appreciative
Inquiry organizational change tool that focuses on encouraging as many
constituents in an organization as possible to tell their best stories and
reveal their highest hopes for the organization's future. Summit
participants responded to detailed input from more than 2,500 respondents
who have been interviewed since last fall throughout American Baptist
Churches USA, with all 35 regions represented in the interviews.
The statements that are the results of the "Seek It" interviewing process
and Summit seek to reflect "what God wants to build new and fresh in our
midst," according to American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the
Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley. "This inspired vision statement and motto will be
shared with numerous bodies and at American Baptist events to gain the best
thinking of a wider range of committed American Baptists," Medley
said. Following that the General Board will be asked to act on them this
November. Input will be gathered this week at an initial presentation
before the General Board and its Mission Vision Planning group, at the
meeting of the Biennial Program Committee and at the semiannual meetings of
the Boards of National and International Ministries. Additional feedback
is expected from participants at this summer's National Youth Gathering and
Black Church Education Conference and at a national staff gathering in
September.
Medley challenged Summit participants to share the vision statement--and
their passionate endorsement of its message--with American Baptists near
and far. He said the upcoming responses to the documents will "energize and
empower us" and "reflect God's beckoning voice to us."
The mandate of the Summit was to review the collected interview data and
build a new vision statement that encompasses the grassroots ideas of
American Baptists and seeks to discern a new future from God. The "Seek
It" Task Force, a larger Discovery Team and other Summit participants have
worked with a staff consulting team to provide direction for the
process. Consulting team members included David Chandler, Office of
Communication; Susan Gillies, ABC of Nebraska; Dr. Sumner Grant, The
Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board; General Secretary A. Roy Medley;
Richard Schramm, Office of Communication; Dr. Stanley Slade, International
Ministries; the Rev. Marilyn Turner, National Ministries; Dr. C. Jeff
Woods, Office of the General Secretary; and the Rev. Dr. Aidsand F.
Wright-Riggins III, National Ministries. The process was led by
consultants Dr. James Ludema, professor of organizational development at
Benedictine University, and by Dr. Michael Mantel, managing director of!
World Vision Chicago, both of whom previously had helped International
Ministries complete an Appreciative Inquiry process several years ago that
resulted in IM's "Go Global" mission emphasis.
Participants, working in small and large groups to discuss and analyze the
responses, were supported in their tasks through frequent opportunities for
worship and prayer.
In preparation for developing the vision statement and motto, Summit
attendees, utilizing the collected interview data, identified the things
that most inspire and engage American Baptists today. In citing the
recurring best qualities and characteristics reported within churches and
the denomination, participants also considered the special stand-out
stories and quotes gathered from American Baptists across the country.
The work of the Summit then focused on developing the vision statement and
motto that reflected the best hopes and expectations for their denomination
expressed by the 2,500 participants in the "Seek It" process. A writing
team was commissioned, and began their task with a special service of
prayer and anointing. Summit participants then responded to the writing
team's documents and affirmed final drafts.
Additional information, photographs and video clips are available on the
"Seek It" Website--abc-usa.org/seekit--which will be updated to include
other "Seek It" coverage.
Online Resources:
AI Summit Pictures and Overview
|
|
| |
|
