Gilliam

[Funda Oral]

Wow!..it seems that you will have fun during these 3 days.
I am so happy to read about their courage and freedom.
Funda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Gilliam" <wcraiggilliam at hotmail.com>
To: <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 6:27 PM
Subject: Gilliam


> Harrison:
>
> The other day, I met with some leaders of a particular religious
(Christian)
> denomination.  They wanted to plan a larger gathering of Elders to have a
> retreat and to explore what it means to be an Elder in their tradition, at
> least that was the identifying issue or reason for our meeting, and they
> invited me to be part of this conversation of how to facilitate for such a
> conversation.
>
> First I ask them about their intention for this retreat/work.  After some
> conversation, I suggested they have the larger retreat as an Open Space.
I
> spent some time talking about Open Space or at least how we might do it in
> their setting/context.  As I talked, it was fascinating to watch the
energy
> and responses of the group.  Some were getting excited, positive energy
was
> cracking, while others began getting nervous, resistant;  it seemed they
> were quaking at the thought of loosing control.
>
> Questions and comments ranged from:
> I don't like this "Whatever happens is the only thing that could have. .
> .Sounds too Calvinistic."  Someone else challenged the person and said,
"No
> that is not Calvinistic.  To me, this is the opposite extreme--human
> freedom."
>
> Someone said, "How will those who need structure, the Type A personalities
> respond to this lack of structure and agendas?"
>
> Someone else offered the alternative of having a speaker in to lead them,
as
> they have always done in the past.
>
> I was amazed to observe them, some fearful, others excited, but all
engaged.
>   The energy surfaced and the pot was being stirred.  Finally, when the
hour
> was up, which is the amount of time I committed to them, I said, "This is
> your choice.  I am not here to persuade you, only to offer you my
thoughts.
> Whatever you choose, let me know."   As I was leaving, someone said, "You
> are doing to us what you said the process encourages, letting people work
> out their own issues."  I didn't comment, but simply smiled as I said
> good-bye and walked out the door.
>
> They called me later, and not only did they decide to go with Open Space,
> but they are planning on going further with it than I had first suggested
or
> imagined.  Interesting response from them.   Originally they had thought
> about putting together a schedule or agenda, placing a worship service in
> the beginning and end, and maybe during the day putting some down time.
> When they called, they said that they are going to do the entire 3 days as
> Open Space-no schedule of worship, etc. . .  They said, let's explore
doing
> a worship service as Open Space, but let's let it happen.  They are going
to
> let it all be Open Space and what happens is the only thing that can
happen.
>   Wow!  The is amazing because of the high level of structure and
> bureaucracy that is built into this group.  Now, I have to begin working
on
> being comfortable "knowing I don't know" and being okay with it.  Getting
> ready for what ever needs to happen and getting out of the way so it can.
>
> Craig
>
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