Circles of Peace Model - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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Developing the QuestionsDepending on the reason for calling the circle, it is probable that having some questionsto guide the nature of the conversation would be helpful. It is important to prepare thequestions as well as possible to not bias the direction of the conversation. Below are acouple of examples of question sets that have been used as well as the set that will beused for our conversation on immigration at General Assembly.One congregation beginning a new phase of capital improvements asked the followingquestions during a Circle of Inquiry called by the pastor and moderator:1. What do you celebrate about our building? What are the joys? What is beneficialfor our mission?2. What concerns do you have? What is not beneficial for our mission?3. What is God calling us to do regarding the building?A group in the same congregation that worked with IndyCAN, a grassroots communityorganizing organizations was exploring the issue of health care and the sense of thecongregation on that issue. The questions they used for a called circle included:1. What concerns, issues and stories do you have about health care and the healthcare system from a personal and family perspective?2. What concerns, issues and stories do you have about health care and the healthcare system as a member/participant of CCC and as a resident of our city, stateand country?3. As a community of faith what are the justice, equity and ethics questions weshould be wrestling with regarding health care and the health care system?We will use comparable questions for our immigration discussion.1. What concerns, issues and stories do you have about immigration from a personaland family perspective?2. What concerns, issues and stories do you have immigration as amember/participant of you local congregation and as a resident of your city, stateand country?3. As a community of faith what are the justice, equity and ethics questions weshould be wrestling with regarding immigration and immigration laws?This process was developed and has been used at Central Christian Church, Indianapolis.For more information contact Glenda Survance at gsurvance@mac.com or 317.413.1139.Baldwin, Christina, Calling the Circle: The First and Future Culture, 1998:Bantam BooksBaldwin, Christina, Anne Linnea, and Margaret Wheatley, The Circle Way: A Leader inEvery Chair, 2010: Barret-Koehler PublishersCircles of Peace Page 8 of 9 Revised June 2013
Short explanation:We meet in Circles of Inquiry because we believe that the greatest wisdom lies in thecenter of the circle around which we gather with a myriad of stories, histories andperspectives. We gather with respect to those who have gathered around the circle withus and in respect of the topic to be discussed. Perhaps most importantly we invite God tothe center of our circle – to lead us thru discernment to understanding. We understandthat sincerely asked questions lead us on a path to new understanding and can teach thosewho are the recipients of the question as much as the answer will teach the one whoasked. We also understand the circle is not about coming to the end of discussion with asingle voice, but rather to give each soul information to consciously make their owndecision and to leave the circle and move forward with new understanding.Circles of Peace Page 9 of 9 Revised June 2013
Page 6 and 7: The circle takes the community away

Circles of Peace Model - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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