Why Discern-Design-Experiment?
- joeyager
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
By Joey Ager
At Design for Peace our vision is a growing ecosystem rich with contextually rooted experiments across Cascadia. As we accompany congregations in repurposing their underutilized spaces, we offer teams a design process to bring about viable new uses of church space that are rooted in context, supported by the congregation and community, and missionally aligned with the vision of Shalom.
This design process takes place in three concentric phases: discernment, design and experimentation.
Discern:
Discernment is the foundation of our work. We offer congregations a cohort-based discernment model, inviting teams of leaders to join 6-month cohorts where they learn and practice tools of collective accompaniment by other teams across the region.
During discernment, congregations:
Form teams of 3-5 leaders to commit to a 6-month cohort
Build collective discernment skills grounded in the theological vision of Shalom
Receive 1-1 accompaniment
Pursue a critical mass of support in their community.
Design:
As participating teams discern clarity of vision, mission, and context, we accompany them into a design phase. In order to effectively do this, we work with technical design partners who are also aligned with our overall vision and mission.
During design, teams:
Gather regularly with other congregational teams as a Design Table for mutual support
Assess technical feasibility + receive pre-development support
Networking with relevant partners + collaborators
Experiment:
We provide accompaniment and seed funding to communities that have done deep discernment, strategically designed a project, and are ready to launch a new contextual experiment in Shalom.
During experimentation, teams:
Receive accompaniment coaching focused on taking action
Gain access to fundraising support + Seed Grants
