A communal process of discernment invites a congregation to slow down and step back, to take time to listen to one another in a process of exploring and sharing hopes and dreams. The goal is not simply to discover the vision of key leaders or even of the community as a whole, but to discern together God's vision for the church's life and ministry.
The usual methods of efficient, rational, and democratic decision-making are inadequate. Instead communal discernment involves movement and passion; it is a process of studying, praying, singing and dreaming together.
A vision initiates movement. Unlike writing objective mission statements, a vision involves passion, a deep emotional commitment to new possibilities. Vision energizes the church. The vision like a magnet, draws the congregation into the future.
