Appreciative Inquiry

For the past two years the Congregation has been part of the national Area Team Ministry project.  This has meant a series of staff development workshops (more of which later).    One of the techniques used in these workshops is called Appreciative Inquiry. We believe that Appreciative Inquiry has the potential to make a hugely important contribution to the development of both the local and national church and we would like to highlight our use of this approach to change management.

Appreciative Inquiry is a way of discovering what is already working well in an organisation.  It focuses on the 95% that is working rather than the 5% that is not.  It helps people to appreciate what is already there so that they are able to go into the future in a positive frame of mind coupled to a sense of achievement and optimism.

AI builds on 5 stages.  The first is called the DETERMINE stage.  What is it you want to achieve e.g. ...  explore some of the issues which arise in team working with volunteers.  The second stage is called DISCOVERY.  Think of memorable times when you were part of a team.  Talk about when you felt good being part of a team. The third stage is DREAM.  Imagine a future based on the best of what is already there.  What would that be like? You are now five years on … in your first charge … you are part of a team … describe what that is like. The fourth stage is called DESIGN.  This asks that we work out what we need to do to create a framework of opportunities that will allow our dreams to become realities. The fifth and final stage is the one that many churches actually fail to achieve and that is to DELIVER the opportunities.  To move from talking to doing … from thinking to being.

In a recent Appreciative Inquiry exercise that looked at the development of team work and various issues were identified, including ….

DISCOVER                           what was really good about team work

                                                what made it exciting and positive

Participation               Trust                Support           Safety              Sharing

Openness                     Belonging                    Friendship                   Banter            

Sense of Purpose                     Learning          Security           Role clarity

 DREAM                                what will the team be doing

growing by bringing others in still developing            still looking forward

building relationships              meeting needs beyond the congregation

putting learning into practice             sharing experiences    finding new skills

using skills and knowledge effectively            working  together effectively 

more readily accepting strengths and weaknesses of all team members

     meeting regularly               being more confident to talk on a spiritual level

what are its shared values

openness          trust                 love     honesty            commitment                passion            integrity           humour            compassion                 prayer             the Gospel

professionalism in pastoral care and spirituality

DESIGN

develop short term goals

increased use of the office                  develop worship groups  develop pastoral care                     effective members training               develop Bible Study Groups and small groups