This past week I met in Austin with the track facilitators (Tony, Jim, and David), their wives (Felicity, Cathy, and Christine, respectively), and seminary student Lucas Land (blogger: What Would Jesus Eat, My Four Walls). We hammered out a tentative plan for the 3 1.5 hour sessions in the track. Please take a look at these notes and tell us what you think in the comments section.
First, we’ve been talking a lot about wanting to maximize collaboration, networking, and cross-pollination as much as possible. We’d like to avoid the “talking head syndrome” that often dominates conferences: first, because we admit there are no experts at seeking the Kingdom in the marketplace — just pilgrims and pioneers, and second, because the greatest strength and value comes from disciples seeking the mission in community. Please understand our efforts at design below are intended to facilitate this kind of interaction with the humble acknowledgment that unless God has the freedom to do what he wants among us, our efforts are useless.
Session I: What Do You Need? (Sat. 11:15 AM)
Two Stories (15 min): Who? TBA (5-7 min. each)
Collab (40 min): We’ll randomize or sort ourselves and divide into groups of 5 or 6. There will be a facilitator at each table who will help the process. We’ll go around the circle and list the needs of the entire group (all of these will be recorded and collected). The group will pray and “listen to PAPA” for the three most urgent needs to forward to the entire group. These will be presented and we’ll ask the group what they identify with and what it stirs up in them.
Content / Discussion (30 min): “Jesus is Lord” – We’ll talk about our central conviction: that Jesus provides both the vision and provision that meets all our needs, including those related to business and making a living. We’ll discuss what this means as far as “non-negotiable” and best spiritual practices for missional business. We’ll share some hopeful stories of how common/recurring needs have been met in the lives of the group.
Wrap Up & Next Session Preview (5 min)
Session II: What Assets Can We Leverage? (Sat. 4 PM)
Two Stories (15 min): Who? TBA (5-7 min. each)
Collab (40 min): We’ll randomize or sort ourselves and divide into groups of 5 or 6. There will be a facilitator at each table who will help the process. Each person will have a piece of paper on which to brainstorm. We’ll ask each individual to list assets in three categories: People, Practices & Principles, and Practicals (Nuts & Bolts). A resource can be a book, an idea, a principle, a website, an article, an experience, a Word, a person you know, a organization, etc. All assets/resources must meet two conditions: (1) you must have access to it, and (2) you must be able to share it with others. After about 5 minutes, we’ll ask individuals to share their lists with the group and eliminate duplicates. The group will identify 5 key assets from the lists in discussion. The facilitators will tally a total asset count for the group. We’ll combine all the lists together by taping them to a wall or something. I think the total assets will be surprising. We’ll then share the key assets in each of the three categories for the whole group. We’ll discuss what the process demonstrates as far as our strength as a community and we’ll talk about best practices for identifying, applying, and sharing assets. As a group, we’ll bless these assests and commission them for use in Kingdom Enterprises (who/how do we want to do this?).
Content / Discussion (30 min): “Emergence” – Ants are dumb. Ant colonies are smart. Pigeons are dumb. Flocks of pigeons are smart. Fish are dumb. Schools of fish are smart. God has designed systems where very simple components — when they do very simple tasks together in the right way — create something much bigger than the sum of the members. The same is true in the Body of Christ, whether we think about simple church networks or marketplace ministry. How can we create local, national, and international collaborations that build up the mature Body of Christ as each part does it’s part in missional business?
Session III: What Maps and Guides will Help Us On This Journey? (Sun. 9 AM)
Two Stories (15 min): Who? TBA (5-7 min. each)
Collab (40 min): We’ll divide into three large interest groups according to similar stories (or more if we become aware of them in the process of sharing): (1) Those who have already or are in the process of transiting from full-time ministry to self-supporting or bi-vocational modes, (2) Those who are interested in the entreprenuer’s journey either because they have started a missional business or want to, (3) Those who are seeking more Kingdom life in their current professional life or through a career change. While many people might identify with more than one, we’ll ask everyone to choose the one that suits them the most at the moment, or the one they are most attracted to. In these groups facilitators will ask those already engaged in each type of journey what has served as the best maps and who have served as the best guides. Then the group will be asked to reflect on what is shared and how this does or doesn’t fit with their current needs.
Content / Discussion (30 min): “Coaches, Mentors, and Communities” – What are the best practices of leadership and career development from spiritual and secular sources? What is coaching and how can it help in the process of growing into a new identity and a new set of practices? What are mentors, and how can we gain the most from those who have gone ahead? How do learning communities facilitate growth?
This is the first draft! Please post comments and suggestions in the comments to help us polish up this process for the good of all.
