by: Rev. Elizabeth Bjorling Poest, Ph.D.
A) A Living Library Laboratory: An interactive experience with rich dialogue
where the books breathe
o In the Living Library Laboratory participants will have the opportunity to
learn about the basics of a living library and then be part of the experience
serving as either a “book” or a “reader.” Topics would be tailored to the
groups needs and interests.
B) Mentoring: The Secret Simple Truths Behind the Intimidating Word
o Have you ever had someone come up and say those honoring yet weighty
words, “will you be my mentor?” We will spend some time reflecting on
what mentors looked like in scripture and give some encouragement and
refreshment to our framing of what role mentors can serve, and some
practical handles for what shape those relationships can take and hold.
C) Streams in the Desert: Refreshing your soul on the run o In the intensity and enthusiasm of pouring out into the lives of others, we
find our own cups dry as a riverbed during a drought. During our time
together, we rediscover together some practical approaches to find
streams in the desert to water and refresh your spirit.
D) Basics of Belonging: How we help others choose, connect, and stay
o Based on Elizabeth’s doctoral research, in the area of experiences of
belonging in the local church, we will explore together how belonging
connects us, and how we can become not only welcoming and hospitable,
but also aid others in becoming part of your faith community.
E) Beyond the Book’s Cover: Getting beneath our conversations to the art of
humble inquiry.
o So often we have conversations that stop before they ever get anywhere.
More than half of the challenge lies in how and which questions we ask.
Together we will discover new trails to take and ponder, and leave with
more questions than answers.
F) A Story to Tell: A journey through rediscovering the stories we can share
with others.
o You have a story and it is a good story. Exploring and re- membering our
stories from different angles helps us to transfer our stories to the next
generation. Through a variety of interactive exercises we will call to mind
stories we haven’t told lately, but need to.
G) Building a House of Stories: Beginning as Architects of Tangible Culture
o We often think of culture as intangible and nebulous, but what if culture
were the tangible things and experiences we create and utilize? Making
an omelet, building a road or a bench, fashioning a dress, driving a car, or singing a song are examples of tangible culture. In order to impact culture, we need to get busy making more of it. During our time together, we will gain new lenses for how to become culture shapers where God has placed us.