Lectionary number one
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Prophetess/Prophets
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
So You Have a Vision
Developing Vision
I. IT IS IMPERATIVE TO HAVE A GOD-GIVEN VISION.
A. Prov. 29:18.
B. Vision defined.
1. Imagining how things should be, and paying little regard to the current circumstances, or how things are likely in the naturally to be. (We are to walk by faith in the vision God plants in our hearts, and not by how things appear in the natural - 2 Cor. 5:7).
2. The act of seeing, or the ability to see.
C. A visionary defined.
1. One who dreams big. (If you are thinking small, then you don’t have vision!)
2. One who has supernatural revelation from God.
3. One who thinks far into the future, and uses that foresight to make plans now, in order to nourish and cultivate his vision.
D. God thinks big, and we need to expand our thinking to begin thinking as He thinks (Is. 55:8-9)…
E. …and we need to water the vision God gives us by what we say (Is. 55:11-12).
1. Your vision will never come to fruition if you don’t apply faith to it, and line up your mouth to be in agreement with the vision. How can you flow with God’s vision if you’re not speaking in line with it (Amos 3:3)?
2. Do as Abraham did with God’s vision for him to be the father of many nations: Call those things that be not as though they are (Rom. 4:17-24, Amp).
3. Out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth will speak (Matt. 12:34). If you believe in the vision God gives you, you will be speaking it forth, no matter what your circumstances are.
II. PEOPLE OF VISION IN THE BIBLE.
A. Moses was a man of vision to lead the Hebrews out of slavery.
1. God gave Moses vision (Ex. 3:1-12—especially v. 12).
2. Moses clung to the vision despite the opposition (Ex. 5:1-12:30).
3. The vision was accomplished through tenacity (Ex. 12:41).
4. You certainly must be a man of vision and purpose to set aside wealth, fame, honor, respect, and worldly power for the sake of the vision.
B. Peter was a man of vision to reach the Gentiles with the Gospel for the first time ever (Acts 10:1-11:18—especially Acts 10:34-45, 43-45).
C. Paul was a man of vision to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, as well (Acts 26:14-18). Note that Paul wasn’t disobedient to the vision God gave him (Acts 26:19-23).
D. Paul was a man of vision to take the Gospel before kings.
1. Vision was given to Paul in Acts 9:15.
2. Vision was accomplished through Paul in Acts 25:22 and 26:1-2, despite opposition.
3. People claiming to have heard from God will oppose your God-given vision.
a. The disciples claimed to be speaking by the Spirit that Paul shouldn’t go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4, 10-12).
b. Paul went anyway (Acts 21:13-15).
c. If Paul would have been swayed by the disciples instead of the vision in his heart, he would have missed fulfilling his vision to take the Gospel to kings (Acts 23:11).
E. Many others throughout the Bible were men of vision, such as King David, Elijah, Elisha, Joseph (son of Jacob), Ruth, Sarah, Timothy, etc.
F. It was vision that drove people to accomplish mighty works for God.
III. WE MUST HAVE THE TENACITY JESUS HAD WHEN HIS VISION WAS OPPOSED.
A. Note Jesus’ vision (Luke 4:18-19).
B. Note the opposition of disbelief of His vision that He faced (Luke 4:22).
C. Despite the extreme opposition to His vision, Jesus never quit.
1. We need to develop such tenacity with our own vision.
2. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus clung to the vision and made it known to the Father that He would stick with it no matter what (Matt. 26:36-39).
IV. THROUGH STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES AND THROUGH PRAYER, GOD WILL PLANT A GODLY VISION IN YOUR HEART (PS. 37:1-13).
A. You are not to pay attention to those who mock your vision (v. 4).
B. God is a visionary who sees the demise of the wicked who mock the vision He gives you (v. 13).
V. WHAT IS YOUR VISION?
A. If God has already given you a vision, are you still pursuing it, or have you packed up your toys and gone home?
1. Champions aren’t people who never fail. Rather, they are people who never quit!
a. Many immigrants come to the U.S. with a vision in their heart to start their own business and making a success of their lives. How much more ought we to do, who have a vision birthed by God!
b. What drives an athlete to work so hard is the vision of winning the trophy, the blue ribbon, or the penant.
1) He keeps that vision before him, and he does not give up on being the best.
2) We must also run our race, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and the vision He has given to each of us to run with!
2. Your vision won’t come to pass simply as time goes by—it will come to pass as you accept responsibility for accomplishing it.
B. If you don’t have a God-given vision yet, seek the Lord through the Word and prayer.
VI. FAITH IN THE VISION.
A. Keep the vision before you at all times, so you can run with it, without looking back (Hab. 2:2-3).
B.. Have faith in the vision that it will come to pass (Hab. 2:4).
I. IT IS IMPERATIVE TO HAVE A GOD-GIVEN VISION.
A. Prov. 29:18.
B. Vision defined.
1. Imagining how things should be, and paying little regard to the current circumstances, or how things are likely in the naturally to be. (We are to walk by faith in the vision God plants in our hearts, and not by how things appear in the natural - 2 Cor. 5:7).
2. The act of seeing, or the ability to see.
C. A visionary defined.
1. One who dreams big. (If you are thinking small, then you don’t have vision!)
2. One who has supernatural revelation from God.
3. One who thinks far into the future, and uses that foresight to make plans now, in order to nourish and cultivate his vision.
D. God thinks big, and we need to expand our thinking to begin thinking as He thinks (Is. 55:8-9)…
E. …and we need to water the vision God gives us by what we say (Is. 55:11-12).
1. Your vision will never come to fruition if you don’t apply faith to it, and line up your mouth to be in agreement with the vision. How can you flow with God’s vision if you’re not speaking in line with it (Amos 3:3)?
2. Do as Abraham did with God’s vision for him to be the father of many nations: Call those things that be not as though they are (Rom. 4:17-24, Amp).
3. Out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth will speak (Matt. 12:34). If you believe in the vision God gives you, you will be speaking it forth, no matter what your circumstances are.
II. PEOPLE OF VISION IN THE BIBLE.
A. Moses was a man of vision to lead the Hebrews out of slavery.
1. God gave Moses vision (Ex. 3:1-12—especially v. 12).
2. Moses clung to the vision despite the opposition (Ex. 5:1-12:30).
3. The vision was accomplished through tenacity (Ex. 12:41).
4. You certainly must be a man of vision and purpose to set aside wealth, fame, honor, respect, and worldly power for the sake of the vision.
B. Peter was a man of vision to reach the Gentiles with the Gospel for the first time ever (Acts 10:1-11:18—especially Acts 10:34-45, 43-45).
C. Paul was a man of vision to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, as well (Acts 26:14-18). Note that Paul wasn’t disobedient to the vision God gave him (Acts 26:19-23).
D. Paul was a man of vision to take the Gospel before kings.
1. Vision was given to Paul in Acts 9:15.
2. Vision was accomplished through Paul in Acts 25:22 and 26:1-2, despite opposition.
3. People claiming to have heard from God will oppose your God-given vision.
a. The disciples claimed to be speaking by the Spirit that Paul shouldn’t go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:4, 10-12).
b. Paul went anyway (Acts 21:13-15).
c. If Paul would have been swayed by the disciples instead of the vision in his heart, he would have missed fulfilling his vision to take the Gospel to kings (Acts 23:11).
E. Many others throughout the Bible were men of vision, such as King David, Elijah, Elisha, Joseph (son of Jacob), Ruth, Sarah, Timothy, etc.
F. It was vision that drove people to accomplish mighty works for God.
III. WE MUST HAVE THE TENACITY JESUS HAD WHEN HIS VISION WAS OPPOSED.
A. Note Jesus’ vision (Luke 4:18-19).
B. Note the opposition of disbelief of His vision that He faced (Luke 4:22).
C. Despite the extreme opposition to His vision, Jesus never quit.
1. We need to develop such tenacity with our own vision.
2. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus clung to the vision and made it known to the Father that He would stick with it no matter what (Matt. 26:36-39).
IV. THROUGH STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES AND THROUGH PRAYER, GOD WILL PLANT A GODLY VISION IN YOUR HEART (PS. 37:1-13).
A. You are not to pay attention to those who mock your vision (v. 4).
B. God is a visionary who sees the demise of the wicked who mock the vision He gives you (v. 13).
V. WHAT IS YOUR VISION?
A. If God has already given you a vision, are you still pursuing it, or have you packed up your toys and gone home?
1. Champions aren’t people who never fail. Rather, they are people who never quit!
a. Many immigrants come to the U.S. with a vision in their heart to start their own business and making a success of their lives. How much more ought we to do, who have a vision birthed by God!
b. What drives an athlete to work so hard is the vision of winning the trophy, the blue ribbon, or the penant.
1) He keeps that vision before him, and he does not give up on being the best.
2) We must also run our race, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and the vision He has given to each of us to run with!
2. Your vision won’t come to pass simply as time goes by—it will come to pass as you accept responsibility for accomplishing it.
B. If you don’t have a God-given vision yet, seek the Lord through the Word and prayer.
VI. FAITH IN THE VISION.
A. Keep the vision before you at all times, so you can run with it, without looking back (Hab. 2:2-3).
B.. Have faith in the vision that it will come to pass (Hab. 2:4).
Developing a Vision for Ministry
Finding God’s Vision for You and Your Ministry
Craig Sider
Ministry without vision is like . . .a cow loose in the pasture: just grazinga flashlight without batteries: willing but powerless a cadaver: stiff, predictable and lacking a discernible heartbeat a car without gasoline: capable of forward movement, but lacking the necessary fuel a preacher who has not prepared the message: the intersection of arrogance and ignorance
Quotes:“My interest is in the future because I’m going to spend the rest of my life there.”
Charles Ketterin
“When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen,
those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” John Richardson
“There is no more powerful engine driving an organization toward excellence and longrange success than an attractive, worthwhile and achievable vision of the future, widely shared.” Burt Nanus
"One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who only have an interest.”John Stuart Mil
“Some men see things as they are and ask “Why?” I dream of things that never were and
ask “Why not?” George Bernard Shaw“If you don’t stand for something, you fall for anything.”Anonymous
“The challenges are not in the marketplace. They are in the mind.” Jean Benard“Those who say it cannot be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.”Anonymous
“In the absence of a great dream, pettiness prevails.” Peter Senge “What could be worse than being born without sight? Being born with sight and no vision.” Helen Keller
DEFINING VISION
Vision is a clear mental picture of a preferred future that creates passion in you.
The visionary Christian is one who appreciates the past, lives in the present, but
thinks in the future.
As leaders, we are the custodians of the future.
1. Vision Formation is not merely getting everybody’s ideas together in a statement “Vision cannot be a compromise everybody can live with, but nobody is excited about”
2. A Key Component is God’s Work in Your Life. So, Know Yourself A key component is God’s calling upon your life as a ministry leader.Spiritual Gifts, Passion Talents/Personality How?
Talk to others who know you well get an assessment of your spiritual gifts understand your personality DiSC, Myers-Briggs What makes your heart beat fast – the passion element You don’t have to be a off the charts visionary by nature to be an effective leader in setting a vision. But a pastor/ministry leader is a key catalyst in vision formation.
We need to dispense with the fictitious idea that in this day of rapid change only ab wild-eyed flamboyant entrepreneurial visionary can be an effective leader.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Probably the best proof of the fallacy of
this error is found in the book “Built To Last.” Authors James Collins and Jerry
Porras dispel the myth of the visionary and instead emphasize the long-term
success of visionary companies, or translated into our terms, visionary churches
and organizations. Hans Finzel, “Empowered Leaders”
3. Pray for Vision for wisdom for insight for community awareness leadership skills
Take time to listen to God which means you must slow down-put away the cell phone, pager, instant messenger, email, PDA, browser,television, radio
Pray:by yourself with others ministry partners Envisioning prayer doesn’t usually happen on the way to work.Pray with paper or laptop
Keep in front of you the values, mission, vision, priorities and outcomes of
the Brethren in Christ Church.
Be careful the giant sucking motion of daily operations.
“I’m trying to survive, I don’t have time to think about the future!”
4. Put Your ear to the ground :Engage the people.
A congregational vision will reflect the congregation the community and God’s call on the leader’s life.
Every church has a DNA
Getting others engaged is not just a sales job (ownership), it is mining for rich
ideas.
How do you mine for ideas?
-roundtable discussions
-Q and A forums
-feedback loops as ideas develop
-appreciative inquiry
How is it different that a congregational vote?
-you engage people early in the process, mining for ideas and feedback rather
than working in secret and simply presenting a proposal to vote on.
“If you’re going to stir the souls of your constituents, if you’re going to lift them
to a higher level of performance, then this is what you need to know: it’s not the
leader’s vision, it’s the people’s vision that matters most!”
5. Think Large
“Make no small plans, for they have not the power
to stir the souls of men.” Eph. 3:20,21
Most people do not think large.
How large?
(a). The vision has to be bigger than your abilities
(b). The vision has to be large enough to inspire
people.
(c). The vision has to confront the natural tendency to think small.
(d). The vision needs to answer, “How big is my
God ?”
What are the untapped opportunities ?
What do you find dissatisfying about status quo ?
6. Write Down Your Thoughts.
“Writing is the process of ‘blowing the lint off the brain.’” Aubrey Malphurs
• keep paper and laptop handy
• use a voice recorder
Write down all your thoughts that might pertain to a developing vision.
Your thoughts should play off the following information:
• What is the make-up of your community?
• What are the strengths in your current ministry?
• What is the projected growth of your area?
• What unique needs exist in your community?
7. Give your vision legs!
Your thoughts need to move beyond the file drawer.
• Statement of Purpose
• Statement of Values
• Statement of Strategy
• Statement of People
• Statement of Location
• Statement of Finances
8. Pastor and Leadership/Vision Team prays over, discusses,
clarifies, and determines fit.
They draw out ideas and organize them into clear plans and the direction in which
the church will go
9. Vision is understanding the distinct contribution your church is
being called to make.
Mission: Your overall purpose for existence
A Local Church:
- Exalt
- Encourage
- Equip
- Evangelize
- Educate
Vision: What are the unique ways your church has been called to make a
difference in fulfilling your mission?
Resources:
Developing a Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century, Aubrey Malphurs
Visioneering, Andy Stanley
The Power of Team Leadership, George Barna
Turning Vision Into Action, George Barna
Empowered Leaders, Hans Finzel
A Leader’s Legacy, Kouzes & Posner
Practicing Greatness, Reggie McNeal
Craig Sider
Ministry without vision is like . . .a cow loose in the pasture: just grazinga flashlight without batteries: willing but powerless a cadaver: stiff, predictable and lacking a discernible heartbeat a car without gasoline: capable of forward movement, but lacking the necessary fuel a preacher who has not prepared the message: the intersection of arrogance and ignorance
Quotes:“My interest is in the future because I’m going to spend the rest of my life there.”
Charles Ketterin
“When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen,
those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” John Richardson
“There is no more powerful engine driving an organization toward excellence and longrange success than an attractive, worthwhile and achievable vision of the future, widely shared.” Burt Nanus
"One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who only have an interest.”John Stuart Mil
“Some men see things as they are and ask “Why?” I dream of things that never were and
ask “Why not?” George Bernard Shaw“If you don’t stand for something, you fall for anything.”Anonymous
“The challenges are not in the marketplace. They are in the mind.” Jean Benard“Those who say it cannot be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.”Anonymous
“In the absence of a great dream, pettiness prevails.” Peter Senge “What could be worse than being born without sight? Being born with sight and no vision.” Helen Keller
DEFINING VISION
Vision is a clear mental picture of a preferred future that creates passion in you.
The visionary Christian is one who appreciates the past, lives in the present, but
thinks in the future.
As leaders, we are the custodians of the future.
1. Vision Formation is not merely getting everybody’s ideas together in a statement “Vision cannot be a compromise everybody can live with, but nobody is excited about”
2. A Key Component is God’s Work in Your Life. So, Know Yourself A key component is God’s calling upon your life as a ministry leader.Spiritual Gifts, Passion Talents/Personality How?
Talk to others who know you well get an assessment of your spiritual gifts understand your personality DiSC, Myers-Briggs What makes your heart beat fast – the passion element You don’t have to be a off the charts visionary by nature to be an effective leader in setting a vision. But a pastor/ministry leader is a key catalyst in vision formation.
We need to dispense with the fictitious idea that in this day of rapid change only ab wild-eyed flamboyant entrepreneurial visionary can be an effective leader.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Probably the best proof of the fallacy of
this error is found in the book “Built To Last.” Authors James Collins and Jerry
Porras dispel the myth of the visionary and instead emphasize the long-term
success of visionary companies, or translated into our terms, visionary churches
and organizations. Hans Finzel, “Empowered Leaders”
3. Pray for Vision for wisdom for insight for community awareness leadership skills
Take time to listen to God which means you must slow down-put away the cell phone, pager, instant messenger, email, PDA, browser,television, radio
Pray:by yourself with others ministry partners Envisioning prayer doesn’t usually happen on the way to work.Pray with paper or laptop
Keep in front of you the values, mission, vision, priorities and outcomes of
the Brethren in Christ Church.
Be careful the giant sucking motion of daily operations.
“I’m trying to survive, I don’t have time to think about the future!”
4. Put Your ear to the ground :Engage the people.
A congregational vision will reflect the congregation the community and God’s call on the leader’s life.
Every church has a DNA
Getting others engaged is not just a sales job (ownership), it is mining for rich
ideas.
How do you mine for ideas?
-roundtable discussions
-Q and A forums
-feedback loops as ideas develop
-appreciative inquiry
How is it different that a congregational vote?
-you engage people early in the process, mining for ideas and feedback rather
than working in secret and simply presenting a proposal to vote on.
“If you’re going to stir the souls of your constituents, if you’re going to lift them
to a higher level of performance, then this is what you need to know: it’s not the
leader’s vision, it’s the people’s vision that matters most!”
5. Think Large
“Make no small plans, for they have not the power
to stir the souls of men.” Eph. 3:20,21
Most people do not think large.
How large?
(a). The vision has to be bigger than your abilities
(b). The vision has to be large enough to inspire
people.
(c). The vision has to confront the natural tendency to think small.
(d). The vision needs to answer, “How big is my
God ?”
What are the untapped opportunities ?
What do you find dissatisfying about status quo ?
6. Write Down Your Thoughts.
“Writing is the process of ‘blowing the lint off the brain.’” Aubrey Malphurs
• keep paper and laptop handy
• use a voice recorder
Write down all your thoughts that might pertain to a developing vision.
Your thoughts should play off the following information:
• What is the make-up of your community?
• What are the strengths in your current ministry?
• What is the projected growth of your area?
• What unique needs exist in your community?
7. Give your vision legs!
Your thoughts need to move beyond the file drawer.
• Statement of Purpose
• Statement of Values
• Statement of Strategy
• Statement of People
• Statement of Location
• Statement of Finances
8. Pastor and Leadership/Vision Team prays over, discusses,
clarifies, and determines fit.
They draw out ideas and organize them into clear plans and the direction in which
the church will go
9. Vision is understanding the distinct contribution your church is
being called to make.
Mission: Your overall purpose for existence
A Local Church:
- Exalt
- Encourage
- Equip
- Evangelize
- Educate
Vision: What are the unique ways your church has been called to make a
difference in fulfilling your mission?
Resources:
Developing a Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century, Aubrey Malphurs
Visioneering, Andy Stanley
The Power of Team Leadership, George Barna
Turning Vision Into Action, George Barna
Empowered Leaders, Hans Finzel
A Leader’s Legacy, Kouzes & Posner
Practicing Greatness, Reggie McNeal
Developing a Mission and Vision
Global Partnerships Learning Module Page 1 of 4
iGPS: http://crcna.org/igps Draft version 2, May 6, 2008
Developing a Mission and Vision
Objectives: by the end of this session, you will have:
1. Listened to definitions of mission and vision
2. Assessed briefly strengths and challenges for your church and the world
3. Shared a vision that excites you about global outreach
4. Connected your assessments to your mission and vision to determine a strategy
Materials
- Flip chart with paper and markers
- Strategic Questionnaires – Church and World
Mission and Vision (20 minutes)
Definitions:
A mission statement identifies the overall purpose of your team or group.
A vision statement is a vivid description of what God could do if you effectively carry out your mission.
Why do we need a mission and vision? Write down reasons the group mentions.
What would happen if we did nothing further, ie. What would happen if we had no mission or vision for our
global outreach? Share these thoughts with the group.
At this point, please take 5-10 minute to pray asking for wisdom and insight and vision from God. Suggested format:
someone opens briefly, allow everyone to pray, and someone closes after 10 minutes.
Assessment (15 minutes)
Assess what you have: people, financial resources, spiritual gifts, job skills and training. Assess what you lack.
Fill out the Strategic Plan Questionnaire – Church. In groups of three or four, identify 2 from each of the five areas which are most important. Share these with the group. Write these out and group similar ones.
Assess the world: what is happening, where is the need Fill out the Strategic Plan Questionnaire – World. Count up the totals for each option and write out the top 5.
Mission Statements (20 minutes)
Read the following mission statements. Circle words that jump out at you. Share the words with the group, as well as any other words you think should be in your mission statement, and have someone write them down.
1. Pioneers mobilizes teams to glorify God among unreached peoples by initiating church planting movements in partnership with local churches.
2. The Seed Company’s mission is to complete Bible translations in the heart languages of people
without God’s Word through partnering with:
• National colleagues
• Prayer supporters and investors
• Like-minded organizations
3. Stonebriar Community Church, in strategic partnership with like-minded ministries, is committed to the
establishment and support of biblically-based reproducing churches world-wide.
4. Sagebrush Community: To know Christ and make Christ known among all nations by equipping indigenous
leaders and planting churches that plant churches.
5. Campus Crusade: We are helping to build spiritual movements so everyone knows someone who truly follows Christ.
6. CC Philadelphia: To make Christ known among all nations by equipping indigenous leaders and planting
reproducing churches which will be salt and light at all levels within their culture.
Desert Springs Community: We exist in the strengthening and establishment of biblically-based, indigenous, CPM (church planting movements) among all nations.
7. CC Murietta: We exist to develop relationships that demonstrate the Love of God, bring the Gospel to all
people groups, and build up reproducing communities of believers worldwide.
8. Faith Burlington CRC: The Missions Resource Team is engaged in the life-long discipling process by spurring on
our congregation to develop as World Christians in their Great Commission calling.
Purpose: “Why do we do missions at all?”
Read the following scripture passages. Then ask “Why do we do missions at all?”(perhaps discuss “What is missions?” first)
Write out the answers shared.
Genesis 12:1-9 – The Call of Abraham
Psalm 145 (especially note verse 12) – Bringing Glory to God
Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, John 20:19-22 – Commissioning the Disciples
Matthew 9:35-38 – Holistic Ministry
Colossians 1:24-29 – Labouring in Mission
Choose: either have one person take the words and answers and craft a statement, or have someone facilitate that crafting in the group (Common formula:: We exist / will _________ in order / so that ___________.).
Vision Statements (20 minutes)
Read the following vision statements. Write out one vision you have about global outreach which excites you. Share this with the group. Write down these ‘pieces of the vision’.
1. Sagebrush
A. Church: We see a church so in love with Christ that they are no longer comfortable with the fleeting
American Dream, rather they are gripped by a vision to fulfill the Great Commission. We see a church passionate for the nations, living and giving generously to fulfill the Great Commission. We see our own sons and daughters going to the ends of the earth as short-term and career missionaries. We see every member of our church empowered to fulfill a personal life mission in the world.
B. Field: We see unreached people trusting in Christ, becoming disciples, leaders, missionaries and pastors. We see formerly unreached peoples reaching the remaining unreached peoples. We see churches being planted at the ends of the earth where Christ is treasured, His Word is being taught by well-trained indigenous pastors, and people are being transformed by the power of God. We see nations being overturned by the love of Christ. We see things so wondrous they can’t be explained.
2. First CRC, Hamilton
We will see the emergence of an ethnically diverse church worshipping in many places across the city of
Hamilton—a church deeply investing in its communities; engaging its culture; and seeing the gospel transform
people’s lives, their families, and their neighbourhoods. We will see other churches planted in other cities across Canada and other countries around the world.
3. Communities First Association (CFA)
CFA extends the reach of Christian Community Development across the country by providing encouragement
and support for Christian leaders, serving as a place for retreat and refreshment, and developing holistic, multi-sector approaches that contribute to God’s shalom.
We envision an association that:
• Encourages churches and organizations to participate in community transformation.
• Provides Support for Christian Leaders.
• Builds a supportive learning community.
• Has leaders growing leaders.
• Serves as a place of retreat and refreshment.
• Has credibility with churches.
• Is a strategic influence & voice for change
Mental image: “Why do we want a partnership?”
Share out loud and write down the answers to this question.
Choose: either have one person take the words and answers to craft a vision statement, or have someone facilitate that crafting as a group.
Prayer (10 minutes)
Break for prayer to uphold and allow the person crafting the statements to complete their work, or to pray over the statements crafted by the group. Write out the vision and mission for everyone to see.
Strategic Priorities (10 minutes)
Strategic priorities are main areas of focus that are critical to achieve your vision. These should be chosen to
work with the skills and gifts in your church. They will help you to say no to some things since they don’t fit your
mission and vision.
Compare the answers to the World and Church questionnaires and write down any areas of overlap or commonality.
Which of these might become a priority for your global outreach? How do these fit with your mission and vision?
Mobilizing Your Church (15 minutes)
Mission and vision statement need to translate into changed behaviours. Draw a four quadrant grid and put one of the following titles in each:
1. Who needs to know: Who needs to be informed about what happened at this meeting? Is there a
group in the church who should approve the mission, vision and priorities?
2. What do we need to learn: After this exercise, what more do we need to learn? Who do we talk to
about this?
3. How do we generate excitement: How can the ideas be shared with the broader church? What can
be done to excite them about global outreach?
4. Other: Is there anything else that has come up which needs follow up?
Share ideas for each of the quadrants, and write them in the grid. Decide who will take on these tasks and when they will report back to the group.
Re-commitment to the mission and evaluation of the steps taken towards the vision will be ongoing activities.
New strategies should be assessed to determine if they match the mission and vision.
Related Modules
1. Promoting Mutual Growth
Adapted from materials by Bill Thornburg, CRWM, and input from Trish deJong, CRWM, Ben Vandezande, CRHM
iGPS: http://crcna.org/igps Draft version 2, May 6, 2008
Developing a Mission and Vision
Objectives: by the end of this session, you will have:
1. Listened to definitions of mission and vision
2. Assessed briefly strengths and challenges for your church and the world
3. Shared a vision that excites you about global outreach
4. Connected your assessments to your mission and vision to determine a strategy
Materials
- Flip chart with paper and markers
- Strategic Questionnaires – Church and World
Mission and Vision (20 minutes)
Definitions:
A mission statement identifies the overall purpose of your team or group.
A vision statement is a vivid description of what God could do if you effectively carry out your mission.
Why do we need a mission and vision? Write down reasons the group mentions.
What would happen if we did nothing further, ie. What would happen if we had no mission or vision for our
global outreach? Share these thoughts with the group.
At this point, please take 5-10 minute to pray asking for wisdom and insight and vision from God. Suggested format:
someone opens briefly, allow everyone to pray, and someone closes after 10 minutes.
Assessment (15 minutes)
Assess what you have: people, financial resources, spiritual gifts, job skills and training. Assess what you lack.
Fill out the Strategic Plan Questionnaire – Church. In groups of three or four, identify 2 from each of the five areas which are most important. Share these with the group. Write these out and group similar ones.
Assess the world: what is happening, where is the need Fill out the Strategic Plan Questionnaire – World. Count up the totals for each option and write out the top 5.
Mission Statements (20 minutes)
Read the following mission statements. Circle words that jump out at you. Share the words with the group, as well as any other words you think should be in your mission statement, and have someone write them down.
1. Pioneers mobilizes teams to glorify God among unreached peoples by initiating church planting movements in partnership with local churches.
2. The Seed Company’s mission is to complete Bible translations in the heart languages of people
without God’s Word through partnering with:
• National colleagues
• Prayer supporters and investors
• Like-minded organizations
3. Stonebriar Community Church, in strategic partnership with like-minded ministries, is committed to the
establishment and support of biblically-based reproducing churches world-wide.
4. Sagebrush Community: To know Christ and make Christ known among all nations by equipping indigenous
leaders and planting churches that plant churches.
5. Campus Crusade: We are helping to build spiritual movements so everyone knows someone who truly follows Christ.
6. CC Philadelphia: To make Christ known among all nations by equipping indigenous leaders and planting
reproducing churches which will be salt and light at all levels within their culture.
Desert Springs Community: We exist in the strengthening and establishment of biblically-based, indigenous, CPM (church planting movements) among all nations.
7. CC Murietta: We exist to develop relationships that demonstrate the Love of God, bring the Gospel to all
people groups, and build up reproducing communities of believers worldwide.
8. Faith Burlington CRC: The Missions Resource Team is engaged in the life-long discipling process by spurring on
our congregation to develop as World Christians in their Great Commission calling.
Purpose: “Why do we do missions at all?”
Read the following scripture passages. Then ask “Why do we do missions at all?”(perhaps discuss “What is missions?” first)
Write out the answers shared.
Genesis 12:1-9 – The Call of Abraham
Psalm 145 (especially note verse 12) – Bringing Glory to God
Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, John 20:19-22 – Commissioning the Disciples
Matthew 9:35-38 – Holistic Ministry
Colossians 1:24-29 – Labouring in Mission
Choose: either have one person take the words and answers and craft a statement, or have someone facilitate that crafting in the group (Common formula:: We exist / will _________ in order / so that ___________.).
Vision Statements (20 minutes)
Read the following vision statements. Write out one vision you have about global outreach which excites you. Share this with the group. Write down these ‘pieces of the vision’.
1. Sagebrush
A. Church: We see a church so in love with Christ that they are no longer comfortable with the fleeting
American Dream, rather they are gripped by a vision to fulfill the Great Commission. We see a church passionate for the nations, living and giving generously to fulfill the Great Commission. We see our own sons and daughters going to the ends of the earth as short-term and career missionaries. We see every member of our church empowered to fulfill a personal life mission in the world.
B. Field: We see unreached people trusting in Christ, becoming disciples, leaders, missionaries and pastors. We see formerly unreached peoples reaching the remaining unreached peoples. We see churches being planted at the ends of the earth where Christ is treasured, His Word is being taught by well-trained indigenous pastors, and people are being transformed by the power of God. We see nations being overturned by the love of Christ. We see things so wondrous they can’t be explained.
2. First CRC, Hamilton
We will see the emergence of an ethnically diverse church worshipping in many places across the city of
Hamilton—a church deeply investing in its communities; engaging its culture; and seeing the gospel transform
people’s lives, their families, and their neighbourhoods. We will see other churches planted in other cities across Canada and other countries around the world.
3. Communities First Association (CFA)
CFA extends the reach of Christian Community Development across the country by providing encouragement
and support for Christian leaders, serving as a place for retreat and refreshment, and developing holistic, multi-sector approaches that contribute to God’s shalom.
We envision an association that:
• Encourages churches and organizations to participate in community transformation.
• Provides Support for Christian Leaders.
• Builds a supportive learning community.
• Has leaders growing leaders.
• Serves as a place of retreat and refreshment.
• Has credibility with churches.
• Is a strategic influence & voice for change
Mental image: “Why do we want a partnership?”
Share out loud and write down the answers to this question.
Choose: either have one person take the words and answers to craft a vision statement, or have someone facilitate that crafting as a group.
Prayer (10 minutes)
Break for prayer to uphold and allow the person crafting the statements to complete their work, or to pray over the statements crafted by the group. Write out the vision and mission for everyone to see.
Strategic Priorities (10 minutes)
Strategic priorities are main areas of focus that are critical to achieve your vision. These should be chosen to
work with the skills and gifts in your church. They will help you to say no to some things since they don’t fit your
mission and vision.
Compare the answers to the World and Church questionnaires and write down any areas of overlap or commonality.
Which of these might become a priority for your global outreach? How do these fit with your mission and vision?
Mobilizing Your Church (15 minutes)
Mission and vision statement need to translate into changed behaviours. Draw a four quadrant grid and put one of the following titles in each:
1. Who needs to know: Who needs to be informed about what happened at this meeting? Is there a
group in the church who should approve the mission, vision and priorities?
2. What do we need to learn: After this exercise, what more do we need to learn? Who do we talk to
about this?
3. How do we generate excitement: How can the ideas be shared with the broader church? What can
be done to excite them about global outreach?
4. Other: Is there anything else that has come up which needs follow up?
Share ideas for each of the quadrants, and write them in the grid. Decide who will take on these tasks and when they will report back to the group.
Re-commitment to the mission and evaluation of the steps taken towards the vision will be ongoing activities.
New strategies should be assessed to determine if they match the mission and vision.
Related Modules
1. Promoting Mutual Growth
Adapted from materials by Bill Thornburg, CRWM, and input from Trish deJong, CRWM, Ben Vandezande, CRHM
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
This is the major website for biblical scholars. Contains much information about the academic study of the Bible.
Society of Biblical Literature
Society of Biblical Literature
An extensive resource for the study of women and gender in the ancient world. Their section on Biblical Studies is not the best, however! So consult it for women in Greece, Rome, Egypt, etc.
Diotima
Diotima
This site, the Bible and Interpretation, is designed to appeal to a significant public and scholarly audience who are interested in the most current news, information and interpretations on the Bible. It is our endeavor to bring the latest news in the field of biblical studies to a wide readership and to contact scholars for comment and analysis.
It is this site’s philosophy that the only relevant biblical scholarship is that which makes a connection to a wide audience interested in the field of biblical studies.
Bible Interp
It is this site’s philosophy that the only relevant biblical scholarship is that which makes a connection to a wide audience interested in the field of biblical studies.
Bible Interp
Here you’ll find a wealth of resources to help you grow in your faith, add depth to your Bible studies and truly discover the people, places and events of the Bible. Think of Enter the Bible as your guide, a helpful reference tool to accompany you in your reading of the Bible.
Visit often! We hope you Enter the Bible every time you open the Word.
Enterthebible.org
Visit often! We hope you Enter the Bible every time you open the Word.
Enterthebible.org
iTanakh
A huge collection of electronic resources related to the study of the Hebrew Bible and related ancient Near Eastern texts. Also has a big section of different methods of biblical exegesis.
http://www.usml.edu/library/linkss.htmiTanakhiTanakh
http://www.usml.edu/library/linkss.htmiTanakhiTanakh
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tips to stay on track
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This is a sample of how to keep track of your journey.Also in the note field can be used to journal.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tips 1
TIPS AND TOOLS for your Daily Events
DATE:08/09/09
DURATION:2 HR
EVENT:READING
EVENT TYPE: DEVELOPMENT/EDUCATION
NOTES:
AT THE END OF THE DAY--TOTAL YOUR TIME: IN EACH OF THE FOUR EVENT TYPES
EVENTS TYPES: SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE, DEVELOPMENT/EDUCATIONAL,ASSOCIATED WORK, ASSOCIATED PRACTICE
EXAMPLE OF NOTES: BOOK WHAT IS SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE BY PHILIP YANCY
DATE:08/09/09
DURATION:2 HR
EVENT:READING
EVENT TYPE: DEVELOPMENT/EDUCATION
NOTES:
AT THE END OF THE DAY--TOTAL YOUR TIME: IN EACH OF THE FOUR EVENT TYPES
EVENTS TYPES: SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE, DEVELOPMENT/EDUCATIONAL,ASSOCIATED WORK, ASSOCIATED PRACTICE
EXAMPLE OF NOTES: BOOK WHAT IS SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE BY PHILIP YANCY
Journal Writing
Write an Autobiography Outline
Step 1
Begin an autobiography outline by writing the title, or working title, of the book at the top of a computer word processing file. This could be your name. Use a bold or underlined font to set it off from the rest of the outline.
Step 2
Write one or two sentences at the top of your autobiography outline explaining the reason you are writing it. Is it just a memoir or factual representation of your life? Or do you intend to focus on one aspect of life such as relationships, living with a disease or disability or your own spirituality? Deciding what the focus of the autobiography is will make the rest of the outlining process easier.
Step 3
Create a series of chronological sub-headings or chapter titles for your autobiography outline. These may include such things as: my childhood, teen years, becoming an adult, and middle age. You might also like to organize your autobiography based on locations if you moved often, or other criteria that have been present through most of your life. Give these sub-headings easy-to- understand titles and type them into the text file in bold or underline font.
Step 4
Write a few major points in your life under each sub-heading. These should ideally be indented or marked with a number or bullet. Include dates or ages with these facts. The use of the bulleted list tool in your word processing program is recommended. This part of the outline for an autobiography begins to chart which stories or information you will include in the final book. Do not include basic day-to-day events unless they impact greatly on who you are.
Step 5
Expand each event or fact in the bulleted list with dates, names and other data that explains what happened and why it impacted you and your life. This is the time to take into account the reason behind writing the autobiography that you explained in Step 2. Including details that you remember or research will help your autobiography outline be more easily translated into a quality book all about you.
unk Author
A Spiritual Autobiography is a form of journaling in which you look back at events in your life that are about your spiritual rather than material progress.
Techniques and Tips
ipsKeeping a journal is like carrying on a conversation with yourself--or with the Divine, if you prefer. As such, it is a commitment to spiritual practice. It is also a meditative process, and like all meditative exercises it requires discipline. But rather than thinking of this as the discipline to get up and run five miles every morning (which I couldn’t do in any event), try to think of it more as the discipline of working on your tennis game, or gardening, or yoga. It can be an enjoyable practice that yields rewards rather than a Bataan Death March. True, you may not feel like journaling every day, but as with meditation or yoga, you’ll usually feel better afterward. Most of the time, I hope, you’ll feel better during the process, too.
First off, you should have a journal that you can dedicate to this work. If you already have one that you use every day, that’s fine. If not, please get one—and it doesn’t matter if it’s a two-dollar spiral notebook or an expensive morocco-bound, gilt-edged classic or start your own blog. Of all the other kinds of journals I will be mentioning, the one I most heartily endorse is a dream journal. If possible, you might want to keep one in addition to your daily journal, just for the convenience of having it beside your bed at all times, and of having all your dreams in one place. If you don’t already keep track of your dreams, it’s well worth starting.
Different Journals for Different Events
Variety is a source of great pleasure in life. We think nothing of having different sets of clothing or shoes for different occasions and needs—formal, casual, sporting outfits, and so on. Likewise, although some people advise keeping everything in one journal, you will discover that journals serve varying purposes. There’s nothing wrong with using different notebooks for different needs, although you can always jumble everything into one if you feel that’s easier. Here are some examples:
Dream Notebook
I keep one journal for dreams only. I leave it next to my bed with a pen and flashlight, so it’s always ready. I don’t have to wake up with an astonishing dream and then try to remember where I last left my journal or my pen. Creative Dreaming describes a method for writing in the dark.
You can also buy pens that come with a small light bulb inside for writing in the dark. I date each dream and try to give it a title that describes the theme or action in three or four words. That way I can follow the progressions of my dreams more easily.
Daily Journal
Keep a journal for everyday writing: to get the kinks out each morning, let off steam, and sometimes come up with good ideas for writing. This is what Julia Cameron refers to as “morning pages,” which she prescribes for dissolving creative blocks. But you don’t have to be a writer or an artist to use a journal in this way. You can rediscover yourself through the creative process of journaling and as a break from ordinary reality. In the old days, some of us used to step outside the office and have a cigarette break, which did nasty things to our health. Today, you can take a journal break, and the worst physical side effect might be a little writer’s cramp.
The idea with this kind of journal is to stay in the moment and get in touch with what’s bothering you, elating you, disappointing you, paining you, challenging you, or inspiring you. If you feel stuck, write about feeling stuck. If you think the whole idea of journaling is stupid andf self-absorbed, write about that. You’re encountering the voice of your ego, which would prefer you don’t do this, or any, interior work.
A few words here about being “in the moment.” All the great spiritual masters regard present-moment awareness as a quintessential spiritual practice. And yet the present can include planning for the future, or reviewing what you did yesterday or the last ten years as a way of orienting yourself to the present. Otherwise we could never make plans or learn from our mistakes (and triumphs).
The key is to keep your perspective in the present as you scan the past and the future. Rather than sending your energy into the past through regret, use your journal to ask yourself what exactly happened, or why you feel that what happened was wrong, or why you still feel bad about it.
When you write in your daily journal, you can reach deep within yourself and be candid about your inner thoughts and feelings. A journal can see you through difficult times and help you savor the good times; it can be a storehouse of creative ideas, insights, and personal history, and a valuable ritual that adds richness and meaning to your life. Think of it as an artist’s sketchbook, where you draw brief outlines of scenes or objects to which you can return later to “paint” in more depth.
Relationship Journal
You don’t have to keep any of the other kinds of journals listed here unless you truly want to, or if you feel stuck with your daily journaling. For instance, you can use a separate journal to track an important relationship. It might be a romantic union, but not necessarily. It could also be a business relationship, or the re-establishment of a relationship with a parent, child, distant relative, with your ex, or an old friend.
The beauty of journaling your relationship is that you can go back later to examine its development over time. By charting its twists and turns, especially those moments when you or your partner acted out of sheer emotionalism, you may be able to find key points where the relationship either progressed or went awry. If it’s easier for you to keep this kind of journal rather than the Daily Journal mentioned above, then give it a try. People keep all kinds of other journals, such as gardening or cooking journals, or journals devoted to family history, a specific support group, or a spiritual practice they are following. There are lots of possibilities, and if you find that you enjoy journaling, you may want to try one of those eventually.
Other Strategies
A number of specific strategies may help you get started within the context of a daily journal when nothing seems to come to you on the day you sit down to write. One method is to do what most creative people do. Although you may not think of journaling as an art form, it does require a certain amount of creativity, the essence of which is to generate something from nothing. That is in itself the archetype of the Creator, based on Genesis and countless other creation stories and myths.
Creative artists are often thinking about their work even when they’re not sitting at the typewriter, in front of an easel, behind the camera, or with saxophone in hand. There are plenty of times during the day when your hands are occupied but your mind is relatively free, say, when you’re driving a familiar route, out walking or running, doing laundry, cooking, or raking leaves. Let this awareness grow in your mind so that when you finally have a few minutes to sit down with your journal, you’re ready to go. The great English playwright Harold Pinter used to marvel at how much work his subconscious did for him in between writing sessions, often having whole new plot elements and characters appear as if by magic.
It wasn’t entirely magic, of course. Pinter’s imagination had been actively engaged in creating characters, settings, plot, and dialogue. He probably thought about things off and on between structured writing sessions, but his subconscious mind continued to work as well, perhaps during the dream and deep sleep states. And so when he sat down to write, his unconscious had advanced the plot.
He still needed to put it on paper, just as Mozart, who claimed to hear complete compositions in his mind, still had to get them all notated. But the writing becomes easier for having done some subconscious homework. Finally, get in the habit of carrying a small, inexpensive memo pad with you, the kind that easily fits in your shirt pocket or purse. Jot down ideas or questions during the day, and use this as the raw material for your next journaling session at home.
Peter
Step 1
Begin an autobiography outline by writing the title, or working title, of the book at the top of a computer word processing file. This could be your name. Use a bold or underlined font to set it off from the rest of the outline.
Step 2
Write one or two sentences at the top of your autobiography outline explaining the reason you are writing it. Is it just a memoir or factual representation of your life? Or do you intend to focus on one aspect of life such as relationships, living with a disease or disability or your own spirituality? Deciding what the focus of the autobiography is will make the rest of the outlining process easier.
Step 3
Create a series of chronological sub-headings or chapter titles for your autobiography outline. These may include such things as: my childhood, teen years, becoming an adult, and middle age. You might also like to organize your autobiography based on locations if you moved often, or other criteria that have been present through most of your life. Give these sub-headings easy-to- understand titles and type them into the text file in bold or underline font.
Step 4
Write a few major points in your life under each sub-heading. These should ideally be indented or marked with a number or bullet. Include dates or ages with these facts. The use of the bulleted list tool in your word processing program is recommended. This part of the outline for an autobiography begins to chart which stories or information you will include in the final book. Do not include basic day-to-day events unless they impact greatly on who you are.
Step 5
Expand each event or fact in the bulleted list with dates, names and other data that explains what happened and why it impacted you and your life. This is the time to take into account the reason behind writing the autobiography that you explained in Step 2. Including details that you remember or research will help your autobiography outline be more easily translated into a quality book all about you.
unk Author
A Spiritual Autobiography is a form of journaling in which you look back at events in your life that are about your spiritual rather than material progress.
Techniques and Tips
ipsKeeping a journal is like carrying on a conversation with yourself--or with the Divine, if you prefer. As such, it is a commitment to spiritual practice. It is also a meditative process, and like all meditative exercises it requires discipline. But rather than thinking of this as the discipline to get up and run five miles every morning (which I couldn’t do in any event), try to think of it more as the discipline of working on your tennis game, or gardening, or yoga. It can be an enjoyable practice that yields rewards rather than a Bataan Death March. True, you may not feel like journaling every day, but as with meditation or yoga, you’ll usually feel better afterward. Most of the time, I hope, you’ll feel better during the process, too.
First off, you should have a journal that you can dedicate to this work. If you already have one that you use every day, that’s fine. If not, please get one—and it doesn’t matter if it’s a two-dollar spiral notebook or an expensive morocco-bound, gilt-edged classic or start your own blog. Of all the other kinds of journals I will be mentioning, the one I most heartily endorse is a dream journal. If possible, you might want to keep one in addition to your daily journal, just for the convenience of having it beside your bed at all times, and of having all your dreams in one place. If you don’t already keep track of your dreams, it’s well worth starting.
Different Journals for Different Events
Variety is a source of great pleasure in life. We think nothing of having different sets of clothing or shoes for different occasions and needs—formal, casual, sporting outfits, and so on. Likewise, although some people advise keeping everything in one journal, you will discover that journals serve varying purposes. There’s nothing wrong with using different notebooks for different needs, although you can always jumble everything into one if you feel that’s easier. Here are some examples:
Dream Notebook
I keep one journal for dreams only. I leave it next to my bed with a pen and flashlight, so it’s always ready. I don’t have to wake up with an astonishing dream and then try to remember where I last left my journal or my pen. Creative Dreaming describes a method for writing in the dark.
You can also buy pens that come with a small light bulb inside for writing in the dark. I date each dream and try to give it a title that describes the theme or action in three or four words. That way I can follow the progressions of my dreams more easily.
Daily Journal
Keep a journal for everyday writing: to get the kinks out each morning, let off steam, and sometimes come up with good ideas for writing. This is what Julia Cameron refers to as “morning pages,” which she prescribes for dissolving creative blocks. But you don’t have to be a writer or an artist to use a journal in this way. You can rediscover yourself through the creative process of journaling and as a break from ordinary reality. In the old days, some of us used to step outside the office and have a cigarette break, which did nasty things to our health. Today, you can take a journal break, and the worst physical side effect might be a little writer’s cramp.
The idea with this kind of journal is to stay in the moment and get in touch with what’s bothering you, elating you, disappointing you, paining you, challenging you, or inspiring you. If you feel stuck, write about feeling stuck. If you think the whole idea of journaling is stupid andf self-absorbed, write about that. You’re encountering the voice of your ego, which would prefer you don’t do this, or any, interior work.
A few words here about being “in the moment.” All the great spiritual masters regard present-moment awareness as a quintessential spiritual practice. And yet the present can include planning for the future, or reviewing what you did yesterday or the last ten years as a way of orienting yourself to the present. Otherwise we could never make plans or learn from our mistakes (and triumphs).
The key is to keep your perspective in the present as you scan the past and the future. Rather than sending your energy into the past through regret, use your journal to ask yourself what exactly happened, or why you feel that what happened was wrong, or why you still feel bad about it.
When you write in your daily journal, you can reach deep within yourself and be candid about your inner thoughts and feelings. A journal can see you through difficult times and help you savor the good times; it can be a storehouse of creative ideas, insights, and personal history, and a valuable ritual that adds richness and meaning to your life. Think of it as an artist’s sketchbook, where you draw brief outlines of scenes or objects to which you can return later to “paint” in more depth.
Relationship Journal
You don’t have to keep any of the other kinds of journals listed here unless you truly want to, or if you feel stuck with your daily journaling. For instance, you can use a separate journal to track an important relationship. It might be a romantic union, but not necessarily. It could also be a business relationship, or the re-establishment of a relationship with a parent, child, distant relative, with your ex, or an old friend.
The beauty of journaling your relationship is that you can go back later to examine its development over time. By charting its twists and turns, especially those moments when you or your partner acted out of sheer emotionalism, you may be able to find key points where the relationship either progressed or went awry. If it’s easier for you to keep this kind of journal rather than the Daily Journal mentioned above, then give it a try. People keep all kinds of other journals, such as gardening or cooking journals, or journals devoted to family history, a specific support group, or a spiritual practice they are following. There are lots of possibilities, and if you find that you enjoy journaling, you may want to try one of those eventually.
Other Strategies
A number of specific strategies may help you get started within the context of a daily journal when nothing seems to come to you on the day you sit down to write. One method is to do what most creative people do. Although you may not think of journaling as an art form, it does require a certain amount of creativity, the essence of which is to generate something from nothing. That is in itself the archetype of the Creator, based on Genesis and countless other creation stories and myths.
Creative artists are often thinking about their work even when they’re not sitting at the typewriter, in front of an easel, behind the camera, or with saxophone in hand. There are plenty of times during the day when your hands are occupied but your mind is relatively free, say, when you’re driving a familiar route, out walking or running, doing laundry, cooking, or raking leaves. Let this awareness grow in your mind so that when you finally have a few minutes to sit down with your journal, you’re ready to go. The great English playwright Harold Pinter used to marvel at how much work his subconscious did for him in between writing sessions, often having whole new plot elements and characters appear as if by magic.
It wasn’t entirely magic, of course. Pinter’s imagination had been actively engaged in creating characters, settings, plot, and dialogue. He probably thought about things off and on between structured writing sessions, but his subconscious mind continued to work as well, perhaps during the dream and deep sleep states. And so when he sat down to write, his unconscious had advanced the plot.
He still needed to put it on paper, just as Mozart, who claimed to hear complete compositions in his mind, still had to get them all notated. But the writing becomes easier for having done some subconscious homework. Finally, get in the habit of carrying a small, inexpensive memo pad with you, the kind that easily fits in your shirt pocket or purse. Jot down ideas or questions during the day, and use this as the raw material for your next journaling session at home.
Peter
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