After the Diagnosis Seminar, participants can organize a formal Discovery Group to study their local context and apply an objective diagnostic tool. The basic tool will be the Natural Church Development test. The advanced tool will be the Percept ReVision test, which will be implemented with the ongoing guidance of a trained consultant or coach provided by the Office of Congregational Development.[1] After the Dialogue Seminar, participants using Percept’s ReVision will engage their team in organizing multiple small groups for eight sessions of Bible study and dialogue. After the Decision Seminar, Discovery Groups have the option to develop a written strategy for growth and revitalization called a Discovery Report.[2]
QUOTE [1]
NOTE
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.
[2][3] [4][5] [6][7] [8]
All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.
[1]Percept, ReVision, http://www.perceptgroup.com/Products/ReVision/REVISIONfront.aspx (accessed June 13, 2007).
[2]A formal Discovery Report is basically a business plan, consisting of an application strategy of ten to fifteen pages supported by a Factbook of several hundred pages accumulating the edited results of the learning exercises from the study guide and the results of the diagnostic testing. The Discovery Report format is based on William M. Luther, How to Develop a Business Plan in Fifteen Days (New York: Amacom, 1987). Consultants through the Office of Congregational Development are available to guide churches that choose to organize a formal Discovery Group and write a formal Discovery Report. The Discovery Report will be shared with the congregation, the Cabinet and the Office of Congregational Development. The Discovery Report will contain the information required by the Committee on Congregational Development to consider funding requests. The Discovery Report will be a clear compilation of information describing the current reality of the church and that church’s best current understanding of the ministry to which it has been called by God. A Discovery Report is a snapshot of a church’s current reality at the time of its preparation.