‘All shall be well, and all shall be well… For there is a force of love moving through the universe that holds us fast and will never let you go.’
–– Dame Julian of Norwich (c.1342-1416), the first woman to write a book in the English language
In February 2017, another milestone in the Appreciating Church programme will be delivered. Created as part of the programme’s intention to ‘build a self sustaining community of AI practice across the church community’, the accompanying book, Appreciating Church – a practical Appreciative Inquiry resource for church communities, will provide practical resources and guidance.
The publication builds on an AI training programme delivered to over 200 people across the United Reformed Church, Methodist Church, Congregational Foundation, parts of the Church of England and Quakers. It is the third book we’ve produced where we’ve related Appreciative Inquiry to use in a specific sector, after our two How to be More Awesome journals for schools and students. This summer we will launch a third strand, in tandem with a national museum. If you would like to talk about producing something bespoke for the sector you work in, please get in touch…
Appreciating Church includes information on Appreciative Inquiry theory and practice, useful biblical insights to help understand Appreciative Inquiry in church settings, examples of AI practice in action, useful advice and practical AI approaches to use, and worship materials.
It also features a forward by Dr Lindsey Godwin Phd, Professor of Management at the Stiller School of Business and Director of the Cooperrider Center for AI at Champlain College in Vermont USA. She says:
‘Given the kindred spirit that echoes with both Appreciative Inquiry and the Church. I cannot think of a more philosophically aligned methodology for the work of the modern day church.’
The project is also supported by a website, www.appreciating.church, which will continue to grow as an online resource.
Book launches will be held in London and Liverpool: firstly at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster on February 9. Refreshments will be served at 3pm with a launch at 3.30pm – please contact philippa.linton@urc.org.uk if you would like an invitation. The northern launch is 5.30 for a 6pm start at St Bride’s Church in Liverpool, on February 20. Email tim@appreciatingpeople.co.uk if you’d like to attend.
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