This book is designed for those who wish to encourage and empower
through their leadership skills. Facilitation is about managing
process - drawing people in, enabling them to contribute and holding the
boundaries and values of a context to create a safe and productive
place. Many ministry training courses do not teach facilitation skills
per se and ministers are often left to learn on the job. Some become
effective facilitators through reflection on their practice, others
develop tacit skills. Many others flounder when it comes to facilitating
effectively and participatively. In a culture where ministry roles
increasingly involve community involvement and working with
congregations who expect to participate in decision making and ministry,
this skill set is one that is increasingly needed. This is particularly
important in pioneer contexts where a more team-based approach is the
norm.