Presented by: Rick Krivanka Diocese of Scranton February 2013

1. Using Appreciative Inquiry in Parish Pastoral Planning to Discover More Abundant Life, Strength and Hope Presented by: Rick Krivanka Diocese of Scranton February 2013

2. Three Pillars of a New Movement

3. A Starting ContextAn essential role of leadership: Creating the culture of our communitiesin our conversations

4. What kind of culture? A culture of life and hope“I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” - that sees and reverences the sacredness of life in everyday life and ministry! (people’s gifts, energy, initiative, creativity) • that builds hope!Be mindful of my presence: How do I leave people in my wake?

5. Pastoral Leadership • is a relationship - Mission of Jesus is essentially relational • is a resonant relationship - being in tune and in touch with others “the good shepherd…” • moves, inspires and mobilizes people to: - a more abundant life - join together in common mission - cooperative anticipation of a shared future

6. Conversation & Hope “To advocate human conversation as the means to restore hope to the future is as simple as I can get. But I have seen there is no more powerful way to initiate significant change than to convene a conversation…It is always like this. Real change begins with the simple act of people talking about what they care about… There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Ask what’s possible, not what’s wrong. Keep asking.” --Margaret Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science

7. Leadership, Conversation, Hope • Hope is dependent upon the quality of our conversations. • Conversations build relationships. Relationships build hope. • The key to our future is in tending to our conversations. • Hope springs from the appreciation of life and goodness among us. There is more is going on around us than first meets the eye. • Discouragement comes more from the words we exchange than from the realities that confront us. • When we have right relationships, we sense that no matter what the future holds, we will be together. And hope abounds. - Bishop John Hopkins, East Ohio United Methodist Church

8. Identify the Problem (“symptoms”) Determine the Cause (“diagnosis”) Propose a Solution (“prescription”) Implement It (“treatment”) Comparison “Problem Solving” (medical diagnosis approach) “Appreciative Inquiry” (life-centered approach) • Identify What Gives Life • > Discover the best of “what is” • Imagine Ways to Enhance Life • > Dream“what could be” • Co-construct the Ideal • > Design “what should be” • Empower Innovation • > Do – create “what will be”

9. What is Appreciative Inquiry? 1. A collaborative and rigorous search to identify and understand the individual’s/group’s/organization’s (parishes) strengths, in order to… 2. Imagine our highest hopes and greatest possibilities, to stimulate… 3. Co-construction of the ideal future, and… 4. Launch self-directed change and innovation Dr. Ron Fry, Case Western Reserve University

10. Appreciative Inquiry History David Cooperrider, Ph. D. Case Western Reserve University, 1986 Doctoral Dissertation: Appreciative Inquiry: Toward a Methodology for Understanding and Enhancing Organizational Innovation Used internationally in all kinds of organizational and cultural settings - local, global, religious, corporate, government, NGO’s, inter-generational…

11. Spirituality Scripture Appreciative Inquiry “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

12. Spirituality Scripture – St. Paul Appreciative Inquiry “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4: 8-9

13. Spirituality Theology Appreciative Inquiry “To see anything for what it is, is to see the goodness of it, the love of God for it, God’s grace. The challenge is to see things as they are, as God sees them, and as God says about creation: ‘It is good. It is very good.’ That which is always and everywhere, God’s grace, must be noticed, accepted and celebrated.” Fr. Michael Himes Cleveland, April 18, 1999

14. Leading with an Open Heart Appreciative Inquiry • We diminish ourselves – we squeeze the juice out of our souls, we close our hearts when we fall into… • ‘Cynicism’ dressed up as ‘realism’: ‘I’m not cynical. I’m realistic.’ • ‘Arrogance’ dressed up as ‘authoritative knowledge’. • ‘Callousness’ dressed up as ‘a thick skin of wisdom’. ‘I know how it is – and this is all there is.’ • Ronald HeifetzFounding Director, Center for Public LeadershipHarvard’s Kennedy School of Government

15. Leading withan Open Heart Appreciative Inquiry • To stay alive in our spirit, in our hearts, requires the courage to keep our hearts open… we need to give witness to… • ‘Innocence’ that maintains hope even when things seem hopeless – a naïve perspective realizing that naïve has the same root as ‘genius, ingenuity, Renaissance’ – a child-like quality • ‘Curiosity’ to be genuinely interested, to want to learn more than we already know • ‘Compassion’ to respect and appreciate the pains and changes people are going through • Ronald Heifetz

16. Appreciative Inquiry Basic Principles • Constructionist Principle our words create our worlds • Poetic Principle organizations are like poems, or like Scripture, open to infinite interpretation • Principle of Simultaneity change begins the moment you ask the first question

17. Appreciative Inquiry Basic Principles 4. Anticipatory Principle deep change = change in our images of the future 5. Positive Principle positive questions  positive image  positive emotion  positive energy positive relationships  positive change 6. Narrative Principle sharing stories unites people across boundaries and generations and creates lasting bonds

18. Conversation & Emotionsin Parish Life Growing an Engaged Church – Al Winesman Gallup Research: Belonging leads to believing Engagement describes the degree of belonging to church. Emotions matter – the emotional connection is key to people’s engagement and the life of growing churches.

19. Discovery What gives life? Destiny Dream Sustain. Empower. Improvise. Envisioning ways to enhance life. Design Co-constructing what should be. Application The “4-D” Cycle Appreciative Inquiry AFFIRMATIVE TOPIC CHOICE

20. 1. Beginnings • What attracted you to our parish / ministry setting? • What were your initial excitements and impressions when you began there? 2. Most Life-Giving Experience • Recall a time when you felt most alive, most proud, most committed or most enthused about our parish / ministry? What made it such a “fulfilling” experience? 3. Things Most Valued • What do you value most about yourself? • The nature of your involvement in our parish / ministry? • Our parish / ministry and what it has contributed to your life? Exercise The Five Basic Appreciative Questions Appreciative Inquiry

21. 4. Core Image • As you think about the overall parish / ministry, what is the core image or factor that reflects what most gives life and represents its most essential, life-giving quality? 5. Images of Future • If you could enhance or transform our parish / ministry in any way you wished, what three things would you do to enhance its life and vitality? Exercise The Five Basic Appreciative Questions Appreciative Inquiry

22. Application Appreciative Topics Appreciative Inquiry • Select 3 to 5 Key Topics – A Fateful Choice • based on responses to initial five AI questions • affirmatively stated - value what is • compelling • invite stories • sometimes ambiguous – room to ‘swim around’ • evoke essential values, aspirations, inspirations • deepen hope and capacity for creating a desired future

23. Application Basic Process Steps Appreciative Inquiry • 1. Preparation - Planning to Plan • Preliminary discussion with leaders • Form an AI planning team • Finalize steps and schedule (Summit option). • 2.Discovery and Initial Dream Phase • Conduct Phase 1 interviews at meeting of leaders / representatives using the 5 basic AI questions • Develop Appreciative Topics and Phase 2 Interviews • Train interviewers • Identify potential interviewees (random, sub-groups, friends, interviewees become interviewers...) • Conduct interviews • Interpret and share meanings (themes/quotes) from interviews

24. Application Basic Process Steps Appreciative Inquiry 3. Dream PhaseWe build the future by carrying forward and building upon the bestof our past and the inspiring discoveries from our interviews. We create shared images of what our parish would look life if our exceptional moments and life-giving properties became the norm. Dream reflection and small group sharing: Imagine 10 years into the future - it is the year 2021. Visualize our community… as you really want it to be – living the fullness of life to which God calls us, and doing remarkable things… What do you experience, see, hear….?How is the world different? What images stand out to you? Sharing with the assembly in creative ways.

25. Application Basic Process Steps Appreciative Inquiry • Design / Destiny PhaseCreative Initiatives for Actiona guiding vision and set of practical actions – little things, big things, a pilot project, a prototype, an experiment, bold steps, a generative conversation, something to try – that have the potential to move people toward realizing the vision and hope expressed for a given area of life • These statements bridge “the best of what gives life” with a collective aspiration of “the best of what might be.” They are grounded in the common themes generated from our best experiences and dreams.

26. Application Basic Process Steps Appreciative Inquiry • 5.Further Dream & Design outcomes • Mission Statement, Core Values • Statements of “what most gives life” &“ways to enhance life” • Creative Initiatives for Action – Strategy / Action commitments • Engage as many people as possible in these events • 6. Proclamation - Publish and Celebrate the Results • 7. Destiny Phase • Sustaining, Empowering, Learning, Improvising, Innovating

27. CASE STUDY St. BernardAkron, Ohio Application Appreciative Topics Appreciative Inquiry 1. “A Community of Many Different People: God invites all people here, that we may be one” 2. “A Beacon of Service and Hope” 3. “Liturgy and Prayer for All People” 4. “Call to Involvement” 5. “Nurturing Our Young People” 1. “A Community of Many Different People: God invites all people here, that we may be one”

28. Application Appreciative Topic,Paragraph & Questions CASE STUDY St. BernardAkron, Ohio Appreciative Inquiry • A Community of Many Different People: God invites all people here, that we may be one • We are blessed as a community of different people with unique gifts to share. New people are always welcome here and continue to bring new life to our parish. As a community of wounded healers, we accept the challenge to be there for all people, and strive to offer openness and acceptance to them. • Recall a time at St. Bernard Parish where you experienced an inspiring moment of welcoming or being welcomed. What did people say or do that created this moment? • b) Imagine St. Bernard Parish in 5 years. What do you see happening that best expresses unity and cooperation amidst our diversity?

29. CASE STUDY St. BernardAkron, Ohio “A Beacon of Service and Hope” Application Appreciative Topics Appreciative Inquiry 1. “A Community of Many Different People: God invites all people here, that we may be one” 2. “A Beacon of Service and Hope” 3. “Liturgy and Prayer for All People” 4. “Call to Involvement” 5. “Nurturing Our Young People”

30. Application Appreciative Topic,Paragraph & Questions CASE STUDY St. BernardAkron, Ohio Appreciative Inquiry “A Beacon of Service and Hope” We are a community that is there for people when they need us. We treat people with great care and dignity in each of our ministries. We reach out in response to real human needs by helping people to serve and help one another, and to use their gifts in ways that go far beyond what could be seen or imagined. • a) Recall 1 or 2 of the best experiences of seeing St. Bernard Parish as a beacon? What do people do that most expresses this kind of service and outreach? • b) What is one thing that St. Bernard might do to better listen to and serve the needs of people in our community? How might we become more aware of and in touch with voices not readily heard, including the elderly and homebound ?

31. Application “Design Phase” Product CASE STUDY St. BernardAkron, Ohio Appreciative Inquiry • St. Bernard Parish Mission Statement • Established in 1861, we are a people of diverse cultures and backgrounds who choose to come together as a spiritual family to give glory to God by: • celebrating the Eucharist, • learning and living our Catholic faith, • serving the spiritual and human needs of the surrounding • community.

32. Application “Design Phase” Product CASE STUDY St. BernardAkron, Ohio Appreciative Inquiry St. Bernard Parish Core Values We are committed to live by these values to fulfill our mission ACCEPTANCE We welcome and accept all people, greeting them and inviting them to participate within our community. A BEACON OF SERVICE & HOPEWe are committed to work for justice and serve the spiritual and human needs of all people throughout the world, including the poor, homeless, homebound and each other - treating each person with dignity and giving them support and encouragement. EMPOWERMENT We call upon every member of our parish to be involved in our prayer, worship, service and community life. FLEXIBILITY We grow and change to meet a variety of needs in our worship, service and activities.

33. Application “Design Phase” Product CASE STUDY St. BernardAkron, Ohio Appreciative Inquiry St. Bernard Parish Directional Statement – Part 1 “A Community of Many Different People: God invites all people here, that we may be one” In listening to our people we discovered these further reflections on the life of St. Bernard in their words: - For people from both near and far away, St. Bernard’s is a beautiful place that is like a home away from home. - We are a parish with no barriers, open to all. Our people love worshiping with people from different backgrounds - racial, economic, nationality. - We admit and celebrate our cultural differences. All cultures can express themselves here in different ways. - Members of our Spanish community have indicated that the Spanish Mass ‘makes me feel like I am in my country with my people.’ I feel deep inside my heart a great excitement. - The Mass here is full of life, love and unity.

34. Application “Design Phase” Product CASE STUDY St. BernardAkron, Ohio Appreciative Inquiry • St. Bernard Parish Directional Statement – Part 2 • “A Community of Many Different People:God invites all people here, that we may be one” • We are committed to sustain and build upon these gifts and experiences in the future. We also will: • 1) Sustain a vibrant Hispanic worshiping community that evokes ‘my country, my people’ while working to integrate people and activities as fully as possible into the overall life of the parish. • Discern a Spanish speaking deacon. • Enhance the education in our faith for Hispanic people. • Continue to invite and reach out to Hispanic people who do not come to church. • 2) Reach out to people of other cultures to assist them in forming cohesive faith communities. • 3) Provide more opportunities to mix cultures in parish activities.

35. Appreciative Inquiry Living Appreciatively • Ask: What is the AI question in this moment? • Sustain life, inquiry and innovation! • Live on the Appreciative Edge: • Whatever has happened or is happening, every act or utterance, has affirmative potential. Attend closely! All is gift,all is blessing. • Say “yes” to the mess! • Embrace errors as a source of learning and discovery!

36. Appreciative Inquiry Living Appreciatively Pope John XXIII: Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do. Thank you! - Further QuestionsRick Krivanka rkrivanka@gmail.com 216-536-4991