Berean Baptist Church

Berean's AWAB Discernment Process

The team of people who feel that Berean is called to join with AWAB have tried to design a discernment process which creates a safe space for all perspectives and opinions. 

Therefore they have started the process with Cottage Mtgs.  Each facilitator of the cottage meeting will have a Welcome Statement that guides the work of the AWAB discernment team, but which has not yet been adopted by Berean as a whole. (click the link to see the statement)

The facilitator will also have a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet to help answer questions and guide discussions. 

(click on FAQ to get a word copy of this document)

The purpose of the Cottage Mtg is to allow every member of Berean to express their opinion, ask questions, express doubts, or share testimony as it relates to the acceptance of LGBT at Berean.  Questions and Concerns will be noted by the facilitator, but no names will be recorded.  Questions and Concerns will be collected by the AWAB discernment team so that they can address concerns with further discussion, study guides, bible study materials, educational resources, etc, but they will never know the name of the person raising the question or concern.  Your anonymity will be held safe and secure.

Along with Cottage Mtgs, Berean will sponsor bible studies and other activities which will give the members of Berean ample time and opportunity to pray, seek God's will, ask questions and voice opinions. 

In October of 2011 we will have a special Affinity Group Process in which the entire church will be invited to join in a process which will reveal to us what we have decided about joining AWAB.  This will not be a vote, but a group exercise.

The hope and current plan of the AWAB Discernment Team is to create a process and provide ample dialogue and educational opportunities so that Berean can come to a place of full consensus in join with AWAB.  The last thing that the Discernment Team wishes is to force Berean into a divisive situation.  If the Discernment Process needs to be extended in order to avoid divisiveness, the Discernment Team is committed to more dialogue and discernment instead of discord and dissention.

Send mail to webmaster@bereanri.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 04/13/11