Conversation Covenant

All persons must agree to this covenant of respect.
One of the main hopes for this gathering is the building of community and fostering of relationships among persons of faith working for social transformation. Group dialogue is an important occasion for this to happen. Of course, some conversations will be scheduled and lots of others will just happen spontaneously. For conversations to be most fruitful, especially among new friends, we invite all participants to covenant together to listen to how God speaks through our sharing and dialogue.

We propose the following guidelines for the conversation and sessions throughout the gathering, as a way of making space for the Spirit moving among us:

We commit to respecting each person in the group, especially when we have different viewpoints. We will listen to what the Spirit is offering us through each other. When we are challenged by another’s perspective, let us lift up our confusion of concern to God, that we may achieve greater understanding.

Let us speak the truth in our own heart. Let us not argue with each other. During appropriate times, may we engage in a mutual search for deeper understanding of the complex and multi-faceted faces of God.

Let us make sure that each person is heard, that there is a balance of sharing among all participants. During discussions, let us not speak twice until every other person has had the chance to share.

Let us allow a brief period of silence after someone has spoken before the next person speaks, that we may drink in the meaning of what each has offered.

Let us allow someone to pass if they do not wish to share. After everyone has shared, let us make room for those who have passed to add their thoughts.

Let us remember with gratitude that the Spirit of God is in each person in our circles.

This covenant was borrowed from a little underground seminary known as Word and World