As part
of my work for the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds I get to take the sermon slot in
church services and also run training events for churches and other groups.
Rather
than standing at the front and talking for a long time I have developed an
approach that gets people involved in the learning process and then to respond
in some way and the results have been very encouraging
I was
recently encouraged, when I was congratulated on my approach and the suggestion
was made that I ought to bottle it, so others could benefit. This is my attempt
to bottle what I do to facilitate participation. Please don’t take it as a
magic formula but I hope it provides you with some ideas for developing your
own style.
My
approach stemmed from my concern that people can develop habits of passivity
when attending church or similar events; coming to listen, but not actually to
engage in the process.
I was
concerned that people are going home having been entertained but not actually
learning from the experience of attending church. There was, however, some
evidence to suggest that people wanted to engage and put questions or a counter
argument to me as they shook my hand as they left. Unfortunately the traditional
talk does not make it easy for either the audience or leader to make or
manage contributions from the floor.
So often in
the bible when Jesus is communicating we see him asking questions to encourage discussion
around a meal table or over food.
Some authors
would suggest that the stand up and talk method of teaching we see in so many
churches was learnt from the Greek culture rather than a Judaeo-Christian culture.
I have also been told that adults learn best when discussing and working on a
problem together rather than listening to someone else’s voice as in a lecture.
It’s also
the case that when we involve a multi-sensory approach to learning that many people
connect better with the material. Some trainers even include highlighter pens, which smell of fruit, and good visuals and activates also help people learn.
In my
work I have been experimenting in finding ways to encourage people to be involved
in discussing a question and to then facilitate a response.
Part of
the problem is the fact that a leader is often asked to come and speak rather
than to facilitate learning and therefore naturally drops into a speaking role rather
than adopting a more creative approach to teaching and facilitated learning.
The
architecture of many of our churches certainly doesn't help and further discourages
active learning, with rows of pews or chairs lined up to face a pulpit, lectern
or raised dais, which is similar to a cinema or theater where people go to be
entertained. This seating layout is
different from other areas of our lives. For example when we get together socially in
pubs, restaurants and cafes we usually sit in groups around tables. In our
schools the children are also seated around tables so the children can work
together in groups.
So when
running a training session I always insist that people sit around tables in
small groups so that they can discuss what we are looking at. I also try to
divide the session in to a series of 15 minute periods, each period looking at
a different aspect of the topic with representatives of tables giving feedback
after each period.
In groups
of around four it’s also easier for people to make a comment or ask a question rather
than in a larger group. It is also much more difficult for people to sit
passively and not to contribute. I can then ask representatives from each table
to feedback to the larger group and groups are nearly always willing to
contribute in this way.
The other
things that I have discovered that works really well is to ask people to draw or
write on a specially cut out paper symbol such as a leaf or piece of fruit and
then to stick this on to a larger diagram or chart. This is a form of the old post it note idea but
the specially cut out symbol gives a greater emphases to the process and the
act of sticking it on the chart subconsciously reinforces the persons
commitment to the learning process.

I was
initially surprised at the willingness of people to come to the front but on
reflection realised that the action is very similar to the process of coming to
the front for communion, which people are familiar and comfortable with.
One of
the keys to this process is the expectation of the leader that people will
engage in the process. If the leader doubts that people will take part potential
participants will latch on to this and be reluctant to engage.
However,
if the leader is confident and enthusiastic then people will respond. I don’t say I am not nervous, I always am,
but prayer really helps me settle down and to put the results in to the hands
of the Holy Spirit trusting in the process and the God given capabilities of
those present.
P.S The Service of saying good bye to the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds Diocese is an example of a service which used elements of this approach see www.riponleeds.anglican.org/news-646.html. This was made easier by not having pews in the Cathedral.
P.S The Service of saying good bye to the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds Diocese is an example of a service which used elements of this approach see www.riponleeds.anglican.org/news-646.html. This was made easier by not having pews in the Cathedral.