Strategic Planning: Discernment Exercise
As we continue our shared work of strategic planning, we are holding not only important decisions, but also the deeper question of how we go about making them.
The early church, when faced with complex decisions, described their process in this way: “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28). Their work held together thoughtful deliberation and spiritual attentiveness.
In that spirit, you are invited to a brief practice as you prepare for upcoming conversations.
1. Begin with a moment of stillness.
Before reviewing materials or forming conclusions, pause.
Take a breath.
Simply notice: What is already on your mind? What assumptions or expectations are you carrying?
2. Consider the question from four angles. (Wesleyan Quadrilateral)
As you reflect on a key issue before the Board, hold these questions lightly:
- Scripture – Is there a value, story, or theme from our faith tradition that resonates here?
- Tradition – What wisdom have we inherited within the Church or this institution that might guide us?
- Reason – What data, analysis, or evidence feels most important to attend to?
- Experience – What have we seen or heard from students, institutions, or colleagues that shapes our understanding?
You need not answer each fully. The invitation is simply to notice what emerges.
3. Add one creative question.
Where do you sense energy, possibility, or even quiet curiosity in this conversation?
This engagement is not a separate task, but a way of approaching the work already before us. Over time, we hope such practices might help us engage our responsibilities with both clarity and depth, holding together careful analysis and a shared openness to discernment. Thank you for participating!
