How does one
recognize
a ministering
community?

This is an invitation to a monthly conversation exploring ministry development. We are creating a space for all the baptized – lay and ordained – to explore what it takes “to move from a community around a minister to a ministering community” (The Rt. Rev. Wesley Frensdorff). 

 For our inaugural conversation on March 18, 2021, we explore
“How does one recognize a ministering community?”   
Come to share questions, practices, ideas, and support.

We call it “open space” drawing on the concept of “Open Space Technology” developed by the Rev. Harrison Owen. Our online open space invites us to explore questions and topics experienced by practitioners in the work of empowering ministering communities of practice.  

 As in Open Space, these hour-long conversations will be among whomever shows up. There is no intention of an “expert” leading the session. We each are encouraged to bring who we are into the space. Whatever emerges from the conversation when we gather is the appropriate outcome for that day, time and space.  

Initial questions will be prompted by several people who participated in the Living Stones Partnership. Once we have established the space, we will move toward a shared leadership for future topics. 

You may also want to mark you calendar for future open space conversations:

April  15, 2021     What would happen if we truly lived out the priesthood of all believers?
May 20, 2021      How can Christian community best support baptismal ministry in the world?
June 17, 2021     How does shared leadership work in a ministering community?

 We look forward to having you add your questions to others we are considering for the future.

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Click on the REGISTATION BUTTON and complete the form to receive web conference instructions.

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Open Space for Ministering Communities is designed to offer inspiration and support to all who seek to explore ministry development and mutual ministry practices. These free, live, interactive, monthly web-based conversations will occur monthly on the third Thursday at 1 pm ET. We hope to inspire and offer sustenance to all who seek to respond to God’s activity in their lives.

 Pathways for Baptismal Living at Bexley Seabury Seminary provides resources that educate, form, and catalyze the Body of Christ to blaze new pathways for prophetic and pastoral service in response to God’s call.  The most current recording will be posted on the Pathways for Baptismal Living website here; Other recordings can be found on our Vimeo page here.