We are a Flourishing Congregation!

Earlier this week, a handful of us folks from Broadway had the opportunity to spend two energetic and inspiring days together talking, laughing, listening, brainstorming, writing, drawing, and even doing a little spontaneous singing — the Rainbow Connections of all things!  This was all possible because we took part in a workshop put on by the Indianapolis Center for Congregations called Flourishing Congregations: Moving From Dreams to Reality.  At this workshop we were one of many congregations and institutions represented who were looking for ways to identify what it is that makes a congregation vibrant, what traits do these faith communities share, and how can we learn from each other.

Now, I have a confession to make.  I started writing this post with my usual meager attempt at cynical wit and tongue in cheek humor.  I was going to begin by asking the question “are we really a flourishing congregation?” and then find a way to wind around the question until I could come at it with a confirmatory nod.  But as I started doing this, I immediately realized that I was ignoring the very first principle we were introduced to at the workshop:  Positive Image, Positive Words and Positive Emotions.  The very language we use to describe ourselves has a great impact on what will be able to accomplish as a community.  Or, to put it in the words of Wayne Dyer, “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.”  And so I quickly remembered that I needed to embrace the positive with every opportunity — I needed to begin by affirming, not doubting.  I did not need to ask the question “are we a flourishing congregation?”  I know the answer!  We ARE a Flourishing Congregation!

Throughout the conference, this was affirmed over and over again.  We engaged in activities that pinpointed characteristics of vital communities, we identified talents, gifts and assets, we crafted provocative statements that challenged us to think about how we can grow together, and we dreamed out loud about who we want to be in the year 2012, just five short years from now.

I thought one activity in particular illustrated the vitality and spirit of our congregation.  It was called asset mapping.  In it we were charged with reconizing and naming the many types of assets we have at our disposal as a church.  To help us with the accounting, we were given big, bright post-it notes on which to write out each asset.  With limited time, we would name them by category — physical assets, individual assets, associations, institutions, economic assets, etc. — and put all these sticky notes on a large poster size page tacked to the wall.  Most of the congregation in our meeting room filled one or two neatly organized pages of assets.  Our crazy Broadway bunch (who fortunately had a corner table and thus more wall space) filled about ten sheets of poster paper with a colorful collage of assets overflowing each page! 

Was the activity telling us that at Broadway has more assets than the average Indianapolis Congregation?  I don’t think so.  I believe  the exercise illustrated how we have become better at recognizing the many, many gifts that surround us.  We see more than just our lovely building and committed members, we see relationships and connections.  We see people far and near who support and strengthen us.  We see the talents, gifts and dreams throughout our parish.  Furthermore, we are opening our eyes to ways in which we can connect these many assets to allow folks live out their callings and fulfill their dreams. 

What an inspiring two days it was.  But what excites me most,  is the knowledge that we will be bringing these activities back to use inside our circles.  I am anxious to hear more voices share their thoughts and dreams as all of us together reflect on who we are, recognize the blessing around us and imagine who we can become.