It is with great joy to say hello to you for the first time since joining The Educational Center on March 1 of this year. My first days and weeks continue to be rich with variety as I learn about the Center's significant history, the myriad of resources and meet you: the individual learners, contributors, and writers who make up this wonderful organization.
I have been an individual and group participant in BibleWorkbench for several years before officially joining The Educational Center team. I now have the privilege of attending and being part of many groups each week as well as TeenText and On The Authentic Life film groups. Each group experience is remarkable and unique.
Recently I was part of a BibleWorkbench group where a long time participant stated that BWB was his ultimate model for group communication and learning in life: family, business and all of his "communities". The group was silent for a moment and another said, "I wish life's other groups could adhere to our group guidelines!".
I look forward to continuing to listen and learn. Later this spring I will report back to you on what you had to say in the BWB and TeenText surveys conducted in February and March.
For now, I leave you with our BibleWorkbench Guidelines:
• "I Statements" are encouraged: The goal is to explore how you respond to the text. This is not to discount tradition and the scholars, but rather to discover that how you hear, feel, think about, and react to the text is of primary importance.
• Pauses between responses are important: A subtle reminder: we are not in a discussion group. The aim is to engage the text, not one another. What we hear others say can be crucial. Why they say what they do is a conversation that can take place over coffee later.
• Our goal is not a right answer, consensus or agreement: The richness and value of the experience may depend upon the very opposite.
• There is no expectation that you defend, explain or justify anything you say: Which may be hard to remember...even if you are doing this alone.
• Silence is part of the process: Alone this may simply be about taking your time and allowing some in between spaces. In the silence there is a chance not only to ponder what others have said, but to hear the echo of your own voice.
• You can change your mind as often as you like: "How do I know what I think until I hear myself say it?" In this process, once you hear what you have said, feel free to change your mind not once but over and over again.
• Honestly try the non-verbal exercises: This is not an art or theater competition. Silence your inner critic and be prepared to be amazed and enlightened.
• What is said in the BibleWorkbench group stays in the group: In BibleWorkbench we touch sacred ground in ourselves and each other. Have the respect for the group and for yourself to honor that confidentiality.
