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 Are the Conversations We're Having?

  1. History: What is our history and how has it shaped us?
  2. Identity: What is the unique identity of United Christian Church of Austin today?
  3. Vision: What is God's call for us in this next chapter?
               *See summary from our "practice" Holy Conversation on Hymns

Why are We Doing this Now?

  • 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.​

Can 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!

Now join the conversation...

    Holy Conversation 2 of 3:
    ​
    Identity

    How to Have a Holy Conversation:
    ​Directions

    1. The ideal group for storytelling is around 2-4 people,  so call up a church friend; strike up a conversation around the family dinner table; take some time out of your church meeting or small group to break up into pairs for a chat, or call a pastor. We'll also be providing opportunities to discuss this week's question with your coffee hour breakout room after worship on Sundays (11/22, 11/29 and 12/6) at 11 AM.
    2. Designate 1 person to take notes  on this form or to upload below.
    3. Take about 3 minutes of silence to reflect on the prompt before beginning any conversation.
    4. Stories should focus on the strengths and life-giving forces of the congregation. (Avoid problem-solving, identifying deficits, and critiques.)
    5. Listen deeply to others' stories, avoiding interruptions and back-and-forth dialogue. Instead, listen mindfully to each story for common themes or threads, as well as things you didn't know before about your church and your conversation partners.
    6. We suggest you stick to 1 prompt per week, which would mean you will leave boxes/fields blank! You are also welcome to cover more than one prompt per week if you have more time or need to play catch up.
    7. ​Last, click "submit," and then go have more conversations! There is no limit to how many you can have! The more wide-spread the participation is, the more representative our congregational profile, strategic plan, and vision will be of our entire church family. The more representative these plans will be, the more successful we can be at building a brighter future for our church and a more just world for all!

    Participant(s)

    Options for Submission

    Option A.   
    ​Fill Out the Form Below:

    1. Type your notes directly into the form box/field below
    2. Leave any boxes of questions you are not answering this week blank
    3. Click "submit" at the bottom of this page.

    Option B.   
    ​Upload Your Own Notes

    1. ​Click the button below that says "Choose File"
    2. Navigate and select a jpeg or png photograph of your handwritten notes or a Microsoft Word or PDF document of your typed notes.
    3. Click "Open."
    4. Click "submit" at the bottom of this page. 
    Max file size: 20MB

    Option C.   
    Mail Your Notes to the Church

    Attn: Search Committee
    United Christian Church of Austin
    3500 West Parmer Lane
    Austin, Tx    78727
    Question 1
    ​(Suggested for the Week of November 22, 2020)
    What are the ways we show God's love to each other and to the world?
    Scroll to the bottom of the page to submit.
    Question 2
    ​(Suggested for the Week of November 29, 2020)
    In what ways is your faith nurtured by United Christian Church of Austin.
    ​Scroll to the bottom of the page to submit.
    Question 3
    (Suggested for the Week of December 6, 2020)
    What makes our congregation unique? What is important to you?
    Answer final drop-down question, then click "submit."
    This Conversation Took Place Via...

​If you missed out on previous Holy Conversations, you can still participate: