It is rare for organisations to seek spiritual discernment together as a leadership team. It was inspiring that a sizable service provider sought God’s direction. They contacted Rev Dr Jimmy Tan to help facilitate a group discernment process. Jimmy formed a team comprising himself, Dr Kai Huey and me. Jimmy and Kai Huey have experience in guiding an organisation in corporate discernment. While I have co-led a church visioning and focusing process with James Creasman (CRMS), I was eager to observe how a corporate spiritual discernment process is facilitated. I was not disappointed.

Twelve leaders gathered for a two-day discernment retreat at Montfort Centre. It began at 8.30am on a Thursday and ended at 5pm on Friday. Three-quarters of the first day was devoted to preparing individuals to notice interior movements of consolation and desolation, and to help them reach a place of surrender. This comprised talks to explain what these were and individual spiritual direction to help them process their interior movements.

The next day was fully devoted to corporate discernment and structured communal listening and sharing. The conclusion of the process was a collation and discussion of various threads that resonated with the leaders.

FIRST DAY

It was a sacred privilege to listen to the stories of the leaders and the interior movements they identified and shared. We provided a safe space for them to share what is on their hearts. These sessions were scheduled in the late morning and early afternoon of the first day.

SECOND DAY

I found the corporate discernment process on the second day deeply meaningful and engaging. The leaders expressed their honest opinions, feelings and convictions. However, I needed to persevere through the afternoon session. I blame the good meals we had at the retreat house.

Besides learning about the group discernment process, I became more aware of the leadership culture. They are like a family, yet professional. I could sense the peace, joy and love in their relationships. They are strongly united in their shared values and care greatly about their mission. They shared from what God communicated with them through scriptures, God-incidences, and nature. The tone of the sharing was godly, authentic and respectful.

This reminded me of the posture of the infant church when faced with the problem of the Gentile church seeking to enter the fold. The leaders sat down, prayed, deliberated, listened to one another, and resonated to the point where they could say, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following…….” Acts 15:28.

During the sharing rounds, one of the leaders showed lovely photos she took while walking. Her reflections resonated with me and inspired me to view my photography hobby from a contemplative perspective. I once practised photography as a contemplative exercise but had been led off trail for a while. It was a divine invitation for me to return to that path.

Such retreats are tiring yet satisfying. I felt the drain when I reached home. I sat in front of the TV watching nothing in particular. Just unwinding. Then I finalised the slides and notes for Sunday’s sermon. This is called retirement. Loving it. 🙂