鈥淒iscernment together begins with love for one another and is informed by knowledge and insight,鈥� said keynote speaker , executive director of the . 鈥淲e put the interests of others above ourselves, yielding ourselves to the group and to God. If we already know the answer, we are not in the place of discernment.鈥�

Under the topic 鈥淒iscerning Together, Shaping the Future,鈥� the seminary鈥檚 attracted a record number of 340 registrants, who could partake of 15 workshops and talks Jan. 20-22.

The topic had gained momentum in the previous few months within MC USA congregations and conferences, partly fueled by two new developments: (1) 黑料正能量鈥檚 announcement of a regarding hiring practices for non-celibate homosexuals and (2) a decision by the to .

The pressing need for discernment on same-sex questions was broached in a surprisingly touching way 鈥� with an , in which participants quietly offered their fears and hopes to God in a ritual that brought tears to the eyes of many.

One of the featured speakers, 鈥� author, teacher and founder of the in Wheaton, Ill. 鈥� described discernment as 75 percent preparation, 25 percent practice. 鈥淎 common mistake in discernment processes is to take undiscerning individuals and expect them to be discerning,鈥� she said. 鈥淛ust because a person is a successful lawyer or business owner does not mean they have the skills for discernment. Discernment begins with spiritually formed leaders who are intentionally attuned to the Holy Spirit.鈥�

Barton said that corporate discernment needs leaders who spend time in prayer, scripture, solitude, self-examination, and their own personal discernment. These leaders should share with each other their individual experiences of discernment as they prepare for corporate discernment.

鈥淣o matter what else we do,鈥� said Barton, 鈥渨e exist to do the will of God.鈥� She said discerning leaders are able to pray the prayer of indifference, being willing to let go of their own agenda in order to seek God鈥檚 will.

鈥淪piritual discernment is a concrete activity that opens us to what is beyond ourselves,鈥� Barton said. 鈥淢any aspects of God鈥檚 will are already clear, like unity, love, truth-telling, kindness, respect and confession of sin. These serve as guiding principles and values for discernment.鈥�

Barton outlined a process for discernment in meetings that is very different from secular models of decision-making like Roberts Rules of Order.

鈥淒iscernment is like standing outside before the sun comes up,鈥� said Ervin Stutzman. 鈥淵ou see something in the distance. Is it a dog? Is it a coyote? Is it a wolf? You need to shed light, to distinguish what it is. Discernment is seeking the light to distinguish what is best.鈥�

Barton and Stutzman agreed that the process begins with information gathering, as with most decision-making processes. However, then the group spends time listening to God and to each other through honest sharing, listening, prayer, and time spent in silence.

Often, according to Barton, the time spent in intentional silence is key to the decision-making process. 鈥淎fter 30 minutes of silence when each member of the group spends time seeking God, often a way forward emerges,鈥� said Barton.

鈥淚f the group is ready to respond, each member is asked to voice their level of agreement, either completely agree, agree with some reservations, don鈥檛 agree but will defer to the process of the group, or don鈥檛 agree at all. If people don鈥檛 agree, then the process begins again. Unity is the marker that God鈥檚 will is being done.鈥�

鈥淒iscernment processes can be difficult, messy and very painful,鈥� said Stutzman. 鈥淏ut they can also be very rewarding and exciting.鈥�

will focus on the theory and practice of discernment at all levels, from personal to denominational. The three-day workshop takes place Jan., 20-22.

, associate professor of organizational studies at the , will guide participants through three case studies on discernment at various levels of church. Workshops, worship and large group sessions will help participants get a broad view of discernment in various contexts. In addition, keynote speakers Ervin Stutzman and Ruth Haley Barton will offer conclusions from their recent books.

鈥淭he church is in the midst of massive cultural and social shifts which often create conflict in congregations,鈥� said , Seminary dean. 鈥淪chool for Leadership Training this year is part of our on-going desire to train leaders and congregations to discern God鈥檚 call in the midst of these shifts.鈥�

Ruth Haley Barton is an award-winning author, sought-after teacher and conference speaker and the founder of the based in Wheaton, Ill. Her books include Pursuing God鈥檚 Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups and Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry.

Ervin Stutzman is executive director of . His most recent book Discerning God鈥檚 Will Together: Biblical Interpretation in the Free Church Tradition will be the basis of his plenary address.

More information and registration is available at: .