4. Planning Meetings/Retreats
Though planning meetings do not happen with the frequency of the other groups that we have been talking about, they still are occasions for the work of the Spirit. Besides the creative openings and closings that have been suggested, the planning meeting can be done in the spirit of discernment. The goal for the planning is to discern God’s direction for each part of the church’s ministry. What is God calling us to do in education? in mission? in evangelism? in service? in worship?
One way for this kind of contemplative planning to take place is to use guided imagery. If you are focusing on evangelism, for example, a guided prayer could invite people to relax, close their eyes, and imagine a city or town square where a lot of people gather. Imagine yourself sitting on a park bench observing people. You notice that Jesus is coming to sit with you and you feel comforted by his presence. You begin to talk about reaching out to people with the good news of God’s love, and you share your ideas and you listen as Jesus shares his concerns. You close by asking Jesus to give you courage and wisdom to witness to those in the community. You receive his blessing. A whole group that is led through such a guided imaging experience now has not only ideas for evangelism but ideas that have been shaped in the depths of prayer. Such a contemplative planning process can add immensely to the listing of problems and possibilities on newsprint that most churches go through in their planning process.
Other prayer experiences can be designed to lead into the planning process. The Quakers use extended times of silence. Many Native Americans use a council-style discussion where everyone is encouraged to speak spontaneously from the heart when they are holding the talking stick (or in Christian circles, a chalice). Such a process insures that each person does more listening than speaking. Other groups have used pictures of nature or children to elicit prayers and thoughts on personal experiences or on subjects that are to be discussed.
Contemplative planning strives to have ideas and plans emerge from the richness of prayer. Explore guided imagery and other prayer experiences as part of the planning process for the church.
Heart and Soul: a guide for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church
Larry J. Peacock, Upper Room Books
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