What are Holy Converations?
Appreciative inquiry (AI) is a model that seeks to engage stake-holders in self-determined change, and adapted for congregations, we are calling this process "Holy Conversations." We are seeking to identify the life-giving forces in our congregation and then build upon them for our long-term growth and health, rather than narrowly tackling each of our "problems" one-by-one, which can hamper our morale and improvement. Through conversations and positive methods of inquiry, members generate new ideas and models for how to organize.
What Were the Conversations?
- History: What is our history and how has it shaped us? See completed History Summary
- Identity: What is the unique identity of United Christian Church of Austin today? See completed Identity Summary
- Vision: What is God's call for us in this next chapter? See completed Vision Summary
Why Take the Time to Hold Holy Conversations?
- Holy Conversations provide the answers to the questions on the congregational profile which is disseminiated to all potential ministerial candidates.
- Your stories will reveal themes and threads that create our reports, and our reports will create an overdue strategic plan and updated identity statments for a congregational vote.
- From the forms you complete during or after your conversations, we will collect a wealth of information that will equip our next minister as s/he is getting to know our community members, our history, our identity, and our vision for the future.
- Our Holy Conversations are meaningful opportunity to build relationships and community.
- Through this process, we create a positive communal narrative which, in turn, creates a self-fulfilling prophecy and thereby,
- A more positive future.
Did Children and Youth Participate?
- Absolutely! The future of our church is particuarly important to our children and youth, so it's vital we give them a voice.
- For pre-writers and emerging writers, click the button below download "Holy Conversations for Littles."
- For children and youth who can write, click the button below to download "Holy Conversations for Children and Youth."
- Make sure this activity is actually a conversation with your child or youth about what matters to them about church!
- Youth may also participate in the adult Holy Conversations if they wish.
- Forms may be printed and returned to the church or scanned and emailed. You can also use your own blank paper or add additional pages!