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High-five decision making
Making
decisions is an important part of Plow Creek. For the first 24 years of
our
community we have used consensus decision-making as our model. In 1995
we refined the decision-making process. We again
modified our guidelines after discussion in the fall of 2003.
The practice of
consensus,
the agreement by all to a decision, is not required nor forbidden in
scripture.
So we have some divinely given choice in the matter.
Consensus is a way to
practice
a number of godly values passed along to us through scripture such as
unity,
“he who would be the greatest among you, let him act as the youngest,”
hearing
the Lord, gentleness, honoring one another, the value of all members of
the
body of Christ, and bearing one another's burdens.
Consensus
decision-making,
like any other human endeavor, falls short of the glory of God. It can
only
be done by the grace of God. How we experience it will vary from person
to
person. Love covers a multitude of fumbles and bumbles in consensus
decision-making.
We affirmed the
following
broad outlines. Policy decisions (what should we do) should be made by
consensus
of the members while implementation decisions (how we do what was
decided
by consensus) should be decided by committees, businesses, living
units,
and individuals.
In addition leaders
are
to be selected by consensus.
Consensus begins with
building
a proposal and is completed when the proposal is affirmed. Those
responsible
for building a proposal are encouraged to do so with lots of input from
others.
The members of Plow Creek Mennonite Church are committed to making decisions by consensus. We believe that by coming to a consensus that respects our diversity of opinion we can better discern God’s will for our community. We believe that it is God's will that we respect and listen to each other in processes of decision making. Consensus is one style of decision making that meets this criteria.
The process that we use must be easily understood and regularly reviewed when decisions are made. People need to be heard and respected and different opinions and viewpoints honored. The process we use should allow for different styles of communication and levels of comfort in speaking up. We are committed to addressing the merits of agenda items and not talking about the people discussing them. We use the high five method outlined below to affirm that we have reached consensus.
The high five method is only the last stage in our process of decision making. It flows from a process of decision making that respects all individuals, their needs, opinions, and unique gifts. This process in turn is dependent on our openness to each other and our willingness to listen to each other in our daily lives. The more we respect and listen to each other in our daily life, the better we will be at making decisions together.
1) Prayerfully commit to respect each other and seek God’s will above our own at the beginning each meeting
2) A facilitator will keep the discussion on track, make sure everyone has the opportunity to speak, and move the group to a decision at the right time.
3) A recorder will write down the decision that was made, the highlights of the discussion, and the reasons for the decision.
4) All members of the group should be respectful of discomfort in others and pay attention to the mood of the group.
5) Call for an affirmation of consensus in a manner that invites individuals who are not ready to affirm to speak up. For example: don’t say, “Are we ready to do the high five?” But instead say something like, “Is there anyone who has further questions?”
6) When ready to affirm consensus we will use the high five method of affirmation by each individual raising their hand and showing numbers based on the following chart which will be displayed:
<><> 5 - I support this and will put time and energy, or money into it.
7) The facilitator will observe the vote and state whether consensus has been reached and make sure people are appointed and plans made to carry out decisions.
Consensus Decision
Making at Plow Creek -- 2003
The members of Plow Creek Mennonite Church are committed to making decisions by consensus. We believe that by coming to a consensus that respects our diversity of opinion we can better discern God’s will for our community. We believe that it is God's will that we respect and listen to each other in processes of decision making. Consensus is one style of decision making that meets this criteria.
The process that we use must be easily understood and regularly reviewed when decisions are made. People need to be heard and respected and different opinions and viewpoints honored. The process we use should allow for different styles of communication and levels of comfort in speaking up. We are committed to addressing the merits of agenda items and not talking about the people discussing them. We use the high five method outlined below to affirm that we have reached consensus.
The high five method is only the last stage in our process of decision making. It flows from a process of decision making that respects all individuals, their needs, opinions, and unique gifts. This process in turn is dependent on our openness to each other and our willingness to listen to each other in our daily lives. The more we respect and listen to each other in our daily life, the better we will be at making decisions together.
The process of
consensus decision making at Plow Creek Mennonite Church
1) Prayerfully commit to respect each other and seek God’s will above our own at the beginning each meeting
2) A facilitator will keep the discussion on track, make sure everyone has the opportunity to speak, and move the group to a decision at the right time.
3) A recorder will write down the decision that was made, the highlights of the discussion, and the reasons for the decision.
4) All members of the group should be respectful of discomfort in others and pay attention to the mood of the group.
5) Call for an affirmation of consensus in a manner that invites individuals who are not ready to affirm to speak up. For example: don’t say, “Are we ready to do the high five?” But instead say something like, “Is there anyone who has further questions?”
6) When ready to affirm consensus we will use the high five method of affirmation by each individual raising their hand and showing numbers based on the following chart which will be displayed:
<><> 5 - I support this and will put time and energy, or money into it.
<>4 - I support this and the people who
will carry it out.
<> 3 - I think it’s OK but am not enthusiastic. I can go either way.
<> 2 - I think this needs more discussion. Or, I have a problem with this.
<> 1 - I am unable to consent to this.
<> 0 - I abstain.
<>
<> <> 3 - I think it’s OK but am not enthusiastic. I can go either way.
<> 2 - I think this needs more discussion. Or, I have a problem with this.
<> 1 - I am unable to consent to this.
<> 0 - I abstain.
<>
7) The facilitator will observe the vote and state whether consensus has been reached and make sure people are appointed and plans made to carry out decisions.
See also Power to the People: a way of doing PCF members meeting agenda