Missional Practices during the Pandemic

Whatever we might want to think the Church is not on pause or hold or whatever.  The Church, our faith communities, are still active and doing God’s work.  The work may look and feel different, but we are doing it none the less. Over these last months we have adapted. We have innovated. We have created. We continue to find new paths and directions through our liminal season.

As we move toward the fall program season we are questioning, discussing, and planning on how to do faith development when we are separated.  So much of our church school, Bible Study and confirmation traditions depended on “classes” at a church building. Over the last few months many have experimented with online classes, VBS and Bible study.  We are still learning.

The Missional Practices are tools, habits, and practices we can use for faith formation during this pandemic era.

Dwelling in the Word as Faith Development

Dwelling in the Word is the practice of listening to where God is speaking to us.

It is about deep listening to scripture, each other, the Holy Spirit, and the community in order to form questions and seek answers about our journey of faith together. When we Dwell in the Word together, we are discerning where God is calling us, as a community and individuals, in mission in our communities. Through this work we also discover our vocation as a community of faith.

Faith Development happens when we spend time learning about what scripture says to us about our Biblical history as communities of faith, the call of God to God’s people and the grace and love of Jesus Christ.  Dwelling in the Word is the practice of shaping our imagination to the possibilities of God’s call.  Listening deeply guides us to the places where we are growing in our faith and reflecting theologically together. Faith development equals theological reflection equals discernment equals growth in our faith. Basically, faith development is part of the foundation of our journey and life as people of faith.

How do we Dwell in the Word during a time of Pandemic?

Dwelling in the Word is a simple process and practice.

Instructions start with pairing up with a “reasonably friendly looking stranger” and listening together to the scripture.  After that turn to that person and share what you heard. Listen carefully because you will be expected to share with the larger community what your “friendly looking stranger” shared.  The larger group then listens to what was heard by individuals.

This process was developed for when groups meet face to face.  It can be used when we meet screen to screen.

Presently most of us meet on ZOOM.  There is not a big shift in the process except at the point of sharing in pairs. The options at this point is that if the group is small than each shares with the larger group. If the group is larger the moderator can send members of the ZOOM gathering into break out rooms in pairs or small groups to share what they heard. When the moderator brings them back to the larger group, a spokesperson for the group shares with the larger group what was heard.  The process is easily adapted for the size of the group and format for meeting.

What do we learn from Dwelling in the Word?

Within the Dwelling process the group listens for patterns, reoccurring themes and/or  places where the larger group resonates with what is shared. From doing the Dwelling process with the same scripture the group will start to discern and connect with God’s call.

Dwelling in the Word is not a one-time practice. It is practiced repeatedly. It is in the repetition of listening to each other we hear God’s voice. It is in the repetition that we get to know in a new or different way the story of the “reasonably friendly looking stranger”. It is in the repetition that we learn to reflect theologically together. It is in the repetition that we listen and learn about the faith of others that strengthens and helps us develop our faith.

Dwelling in the Word is a practice and habit that helps us grow in our faith, learn to discern together and brings clarity to where God calls us into our communities.