This process with Joe really shaped my personal growth as an elder, by facilitating the space to explore more about what discernment looks like and how I can incorporate different aspects of it. He helped me understand more about the practices such as consolation and desolation and how the act of surrendering interplays with discernment. He also helped me to show more grace to myself in the process, and to understand more about my role as an elder in caring for the church and staff.
This has helped our eldership team understand the nuances of spiritual discernment, and more of an understanding of what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit. It has led us to take time to discern apart from each other and then come together and share with each other and discern that as a group. This orientation has shifted our gaze to want to function as a discerning body together and not just focus on more administrative tasks. Additionally, we have made a commitment to each other, to let each other know if/when there would be a significant event, which would possibly change the dynamics of the team. This has created more of a culture of transparency in our team.
– Rebekah, Elder