It is sometimes difficult to describe what you hope to achieve from a course at its outset and the first meeting of any group can be daunting and sometimes quite uncomfortable. This was not the case with the Growing Leaders course; the introductory session was extremely well facilitated by Stephen Cook and Maurie Webber. We were fortunate to meet as a group for a night and a day at the Sheldon Centre; a more conducive place to peace and harmony would be difficult to find.
The two chapels at Sheldon are places of prayer and meditation and have a stillness and peace that is almost tangible. The accommodation, although basic, was very comfortable and warm despite the cold outside. The food was very tasty and satisfying and the glass (or two) of wine on Friday evening helped to enhance an already convivial atmosphere. The group quickly passed through the forming stage to became a cohesive whole by the end of Saturday and it was with some regret that we all went our separate ways back into the world, looking forward to our next encounter together.
The Growing Leaders course is designed to develop leadership skills in those who may not previously have thought of themselves as leaders; it is a course intended to enhance leadership skills in a Christian context and to encourage and grow the participants in their own Christian life and faith, enabling them to help others to grow and realise previously untapped potential. In other words, to use our God given talents.
Our second meeting was on February 24th in Okehampton Church Hall. Not quite as cosy, but we soon settled back into our group and welcomed 2 members who had missed the first session. Another thought provoking couple of hours that passed very quickly. We looked at the cycle of Grief and compared and contrasted this with the cycle of Grace, each aspiring to join the cycle of Grace, but most of us not quite managing to stay there. We had several lighter moments during the evening as well as the more serious stuff, starting with a short quiz to see if we had been paying attention to each other and our surroundings the last time we met! One of the questions was 'which side of the cross is the shadow?' We were also given some homework at the end of the session - to maintain a reflective journal over the period of the course and to complete a spiritual MOT. We were also informed that our individual mentors would be in touch with each of us to arrange a meeting before we met again as a group in March. We even managed to find time to have some delicious snacks, cakes and tea and juice during the evening.
Our 3rd session was on March 24th. We had all had the opportunity to meet with our mentors and had all found this a very positive experience. We were also informed that there was a hope that we would act as mentors for the next course! At this session we considered how we could hear God's call on our lives. There are several suggested steps; identify a starting point; discern where God is leading; develop a personal life statement; implement our personal life statement and revise it regularly. We had a handout with a list of possible spiritual gifts to consider and discuss and considered where we were on the journey using 'road traffic signs'. We will all meet with our mentors again and consider our own 'personal life statement'.
Our fourth meeting was on April 28th. Unfortunately I could not be there as I was at another meeting, but I hear it was the best session yet. Our next date is June 12th and is a whole day away together. June 12th was a lovely day spent at Hampton Manor. We were made very welcome and the place is one of peace and calm. We spent most of the day trying to discern God's intentions for our lives and where He might be wanting to make use of our talents.
Next meeting is the 14th July in the Church Hall in Okehampton
July 14th
We considered the different areas of needs that need to make the group a positive and achieving one - Task individual and group needs. Some concentrate in one area and some in another. Important for us to recognise our preference and try to adddress the other areas.Approaching the end of the course noew - we do not have a meeting in August, but will meet again in September.