Dear First Pres,
This week we wrapped up our 2nd Cohort of the Pink House program. Just 10 months ago this year’s SIX were moving in and starting their 10-month, residential discipleship experience focused on Biblical Justice, Intentional Community and Leadership Development. Ten months of house dinners, Tuesday night classes, resources to read or watch in preparation for those classes, navigating conflict, serving in neighborhood ministries, community experiences, digging into the Word, playing, praying, laughing, crying, living, learning and growing together in the four-plex apartment building on our parking lot.
One of the ways we wrap up their experience is with a discernment session. Geraud participated in one for a Fresno Pacific University student in 2021 and was excited to incorporate the practice into the PH program. It’s an hour to hour-and-a-half session that provides a safe place to garner spiritual direction from people who have invested in your life. The Cohort members each wrote a reflection paper and were instructed to invite this combination of people into the conversation: PH director(s), PH mentor, a trusted friend, someone who has known them 10+ years, and a prior-to-the-PH mentor. That’s at least 7 and in many cases it was more than that.
This year they all included at least one parent as the person who has known them 10+ years and for some it was both parents. I’m not going to lie - it’s a big commitment to invest an hour & ½ for each of these SIX young adults. Each one was worth every minute. Imagine for a moment that you’ve gathered 7 people, shared pretty vulnerably about how God’s been at work in your life the last 10 months, what you’ve learned about yourself and then gave them the chance to respond to these questions:
- What are some areas you have seen me grow over the last year?
- Is there an area you still would like to see me grow in and why?
- What are some gifts/strengths you see in me?
- After going through this discernment session, what is one question you have for me? (This is a question for me to ponder, not advice wrapped in a question)
- Any advice or thoughts you would like to give me?
It’s a pretty powerful experience that our Cohort went into with a bit of fear and trepidation. Each one came out feeling seen and known, encouraged and lovingly challenged. It’s pretty simple really, and amazingly powerful.
Imagine for a moment who you might invite to answer these questions about you in a discernment session. What mentors, what friends, what family members would you ask to speak into your life in this way? Can you also imagine for a moment being asked by someone you know and care for to speak into their lives this way?
Let me give you the same encouragement I gave THE SIX. Don’t wait for someone to tell you to do it or organize it for you. You CAN ask people these questions. They see your growth. They know your gifts and strengths. They know where more growth is needed. You CAN tell people the growth, the gifts, the strengths you see in them, even before they ask. You CAN ask questions to ponder. Maybe hold off on unsolicited advice.
Ask and tell so that you are someone who is seen, known and encouraged while also seeing, knowing and encouraging others. It’s pretty simple really, and amazingly powerful.
Grace and Peace,
Terry
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