Responsive Vision

Many churches provide inspirational material to their members in support of Lent. From daily Bible readings to meditations to book lists to podcasts and videos. These have been commented on earlier under the discipline of study. Establishing daily practices that involve learning and the pursuit of knowledge fit especially well within the Lenten tradition. Moving beyond the desire for increased personal knowledge, believers may be inspired to organize group learning experiences, be it topical discussions, book groups or lecture series. Moving still further, people may be inspired to journal (or the electronic equivalent, blog), lead a group or teach. Whether on the giving or receiving end, these activities all center on transferring ideas from one person to one or more other persons - in each case, the desired result is individual improvement. There is an even higher aspect to this, to which experience and fellowship are important, but where responsive vision is key. Responsive because participants must be receptive to the Holy Spirit, but also visionary, because there results a motivating consensus that shapes future activity.

Richard J. Foster identifies this as a separate corporate discipline in Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth and names it Guidance. He describes it at length and gives several examples, from which it is clear that Guidance is achieved only through great conviction and dedication. At its heart, Guidance is a commitment by every person in the community to achieve complete consensus - all members in agreement on a common position. This is not democracy, where the majority rules, even if that majority is a benevolent one. Neither is it obedience to a leader, regardless of how charismatic he or she might be. Rather, it is a true community, where each member can expect to be heard and where each individual is as important as the group. In the secular world, with its varied motivations and aspirations, it is almost inconceivable that this form of government, if you will, could succeed. But in the Christian context, it is more than possible, it is the desire of every congregation. For all churches wish to be led by the will of the Holy Spirit and it is only by each person striving to understand that will, within the group context, that the group can become united.

So the path to Guidance is filled with effort and as Foster is quick to point out, must be achieved gradually and with much practice. How then, can it become a Lenten practice? First, by frequent dependence on other disciplines. Prayer, study, generosity, worship, all have a place in cultivating awareness of the Holy Spirit and this awareness is foundational to Guidance. Second, issues must be identified and an appropriate guidance group selected. For a broad example, some congregations allow any person to raise a question, with the path forward discerned by the group. More specifically to a Lenten practice, the individual may pose a question to selected individuals or a small group, with instructions on the form of the response desired. Finally, the various participants must work together until unanimity is achieved, a process that can lead to community action, or at least community support for those that must act.

For those that are beginning or are unpracticed, this discipline should be applied on a small scale, small in the complexity of the issues addressed, small in the size of the community and slow in the speed with which agreement is reached. But as successes are achieved, they will become a solid structure on which future Guidance can be built and as a united group, the accomplishments possible will compound dramatically.

May God lead you personally in ways that awaken group participation.