Personal misdirection:
addiction (substances, consumerism, power), dependencies (handling others'
feelings), prejudice ( sexism, racism, classism, homophobia), loss of a
sense of
vocation
Social fragmentation:
violence (in movies, video games, real life "solutions" to problems), exploitation
(disparity between rich and poor), disengaged citizenry (private
over common
weal), using
religion for political or partisan purposes
TASK FORCES CHARTER
The Kansas City Interfaith Council is moving forward from the unanimously adopted concluding Declaration at Kansas City's first interfaith conference to address the fragmentation of our society in an even more powerful way. A 2002 May 16 training session amplified what we learned at the conference. Thanks to David Nelson, who led the "appreciative inquiry" sessions at the Conference, for leading the training session, and whose continuing guidance we appreciate.
The Council has formed three task forces with a member of each faith tradition. The assignment for the task forces is to expand upon the three areas identified in the Declaration (environmental, personal, social). This might mean an enlarged paragraph or even an essay to amplify the original paragraph. It might be identifying scripture or statements from each tradition that illumines the wisdom we can bring to the larger community. Perhaps a bibliography would be helpful. The background materials which provide the context for this effort are listed below.
Since this has never been done before anywhere -- as far as I know, we are breaking new ground with this process -- we do not know how many times the task forces will need to meet. We are working to take the next step in addressing the three great crises with the wisdom of the world's faiths at the second Interfaith Conference, October 2004
Here are links for background material:
The full Declaration text http://www.cres.org/oldifc/Declartn.htm
The Three Crises of Secularism: http://www.cres.org/mission.htm#examples
David Nelson's suggested process: http://www.cres.org/oldifc/ongoing.htm
Interfaith Council membership: http://www.cres.org/oldifc/ifc.htm#members
There are at least three outcomes we can expect from this process:
1. We will be able to speak from the wisdom of our many
faith traditions to the problems we face -- toxic wastes, racism, violence,
and the full range of issues our conference identified, and offer instead
healing paths for the future. With our diverse voices united, we will be
able to uplift sacred values as never before for the benefit of the entire
community.
2. We will become a model community where interfaith relationships
are honored as a way of deepening one's own tradition and spirituality.
3. We will be ready for an even more effective Interfaith
Conference reaching more widely and deeply into the community.
Thanks for being a part of this movement toward understanding among peoples of all faiths!
Introduction of Dan Johnson
Evolutionary Progression
Complete > Successful
> Significant
Appreciative Inquiry Interviews:Select a partner from a different Task Force, a person you do not know well.
The Three Questions:
Task Force Group Work
ØReview the work so far.What has made it significant?As we continue our work, how can we make it even better?
ØBegin with the end in mind > What will happen because of our Task Force work at the October 2004 Event?List key outcomes and changes in attitudes and actions we envision.
ØSet a timetable for meetings and activities that will enable this to happen.
ØList the meeting times and places for the next 6 months.
ØWrite
these three items on newsprint to share with total group.