Listening to Our FaithQuest Community
You've been asking how churches have been changed by the FaithQuest experience. We've done some listening, and here is a small example of what we've heard.
Congregations are finding new excitement and vitality among their FaithQuest participants, and that excitement is being experienced throughout their entire congregations.
- A church in the Wyoming Conference is building a new "vision-driven" structure. The church's first FaithQuest class participants are now working as a "ministry team" to build a new system of ministry aimed at making "every member a minister."
- A church in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference has come to understand that change shouldn't be feared. Change is God's way of creating something new in the midst of their ministry.
- Several congregations tell us that their FaithQuest participants are offering to serve in significant leadership roles, and many are new leaders.
- In the Virginia Conference, a congregation is celebrating a new understanding of shared leadership — laity and clergy becoming partners in ministry.
- Another Virginia congregation has posted a banner in its meeting room that asks the question, "Does it fit the primary task?"
- A church in the Wyoming Conference has begun a significant lay visitation program aimed at shut-ins and homebound people. This congregation has added an annual "Spiritual Gifts Discovery" experience designed for nurturing spiritual leadership.
- A congregation in upstate New York says that its FaithQuest group was so excited about the experience that group members now meet every two months to review the progress and impact that FaithQuest is having on the church. A new worship service has developed, and two new women's circles have been started.
- A leader in the Pacific Northwest Conference who called for materials for a fourth FaithQuest group described the impact of having another member of the congregation attend a training event. She said that his enthusiasm about FaithQuest has reenergized everyone, and they are already experiencing new life in the congregation!
- Several FaithQuest congregations are connecting their new way of thinking with the Igniting Ministries campaign. As visitors have come to their congregations during this past fall and Advent and Christmas seasons, the FaithQuest congregations are prepared to welcome them and the new ideas they bring.
How exciting! Churches are coming alive as they begin to refocus their energies on building faith-forming communities. We'd love to hear your stories. Please e-mail them to Betsey Heavner at bheavner@gbod.org.
The Importance of Listening
As a pastor I was trained to do many things in my seminary experience. Listening was not one of them! For years my pastoral visits included stimulating discussions about families and work, community issues and problems. FaithQuest has helped me realize that although my visits were appreciated, I had been asking the wrong questions!
Part of being human is the search for meaning and purpose. Wesley called the beginning awareness of God's presence inside each of us "prevenient grace." It is this grace that makes us want to talk about God. Wesley was not shy about asking someone, "How is it with your soul?" Such a question can lead us into a meaningful conversation about our relationship with God. That's the kind of question I should have been asking!
When we begin to talk with one another about God, we gain insights as we hear people express their innermost, heartfelt needs. How are your listening skills? Are you asking the right questions? Strong spiritual leaders take time to listen and know how to really listen in order to make a difference in people's lives. Something to think about . . .