An interesting experience...

I've just returned from a workshop in Sheffield on 'Participation in Church'. Not sure what I was expecting, although it was being led by a team which included two colleagues who I know to be quite radical in their approach. The workshop described itself as: 'a day conference to explore new and innovative ways of ensuring that people are involved in the life, decision-making, shaping and transformation of the 21st century church.'

In a sense, the 'church' bit was neither here nor there. The techniques used can be and are used in all kinds of contexts. The main focus of the day was The World Cafe (http://www.theworldcafe.com/index.htm), an approach that involves discussion around well-framed questions, by groups of people gathered around tables. At the end of each 'round', people move onto another table, considering another question, leaving just one person at each table to introduce the arriving group to the conversation so far. The tables are draped in paper coverings on which people are encouraged to write and draw as part of the process. Thus the discussion of a particular question is considered several times by several groups, each building on the thoughts of the previous group. Potentially some very rich and innovative thinking can develop.

I certainly gained some useful insights into issues around our church, and will be looking for opportunities to apply this approach. I'll let you know how I get on.