Discernment

Discernment processes inevitably differ because people and their vocations differ. We know this much: Discernment is only partially an internal process; it requires a radical openness to the Holy Spirit speaking through spiritual advisors and companions, through the Church and her sacraments, through the people with whom you confer, and through your prayers as conduits of God’s guidance and strength.

Discernment is the process by which you discover God’s will and plan for you. You may discern a call to the single, married, priestly, or religious life. Discernment is the way in which you come to understand how the Lord is calling and inviting you to serve Him. It enables you to distinguish God’s call from your own yearnings, the voices of your parents and friends and the distractions of today’s world.

Discernment is more than just a skill or one-time process. It is an ongoing personal and spiritual journey that allows you to discern rightly for all matters — whether they be of a spiritual or material nature. Through prayer, experience, and a strong dedication to one’s spiritual life, discernment emerges as a gift from God, leading us in the right direction.

A Holistic Approach to Discernment

Discernment is one strand in the fabric of our discipleship. It cannot be picked out and practiced without the surrounding support of personal and corporate spiritual practice or relationships and communication within the faith community. As we begin to explore discernment in Community of Christ it is important to remember how it is connected to the larger context of spiritual formation and discipleship development. The next two sections summarize things to remember before beginning discernment work and principles for engaging in discernment.

Things to Consider Before Beginning Discernment

1. Discernment is one part of integrated spiritual formation and discipleship development.
2. Healthy discernment takes place as we open to the transformative movement of the Spirit in our journey as disciples
3. Engaging in holistic spiritual formation will increase our ability to listen and our desire to discern.
4. Training and resources are already available to foster the spiritual formation and listening skills that are essential for discernment.  Work with your Spiritual Director ways to focus on receptive and active spiritual practices.  Discernment groups and retreats teach us to listen to each other in community with respect and openness.
5. Discernment Groups and Retreats connect spiritual formation with discerning mission. The Discernment Groups are often modeled openness throughout the discernment process. Each DG session ends with a discernment period focused on listening to God’s invitation to action, service; ministry.
6. Before beginning a separate process of discernment or discernment groups we encourage you to explore Discernment Groups as a way of engaging your congregation in ongoing spiritual formation, discernment, and transformative discipleship. Discernment  groups have been designed to foster spiritual growth and discernment principles. The Missionary Cenacle Family spiritual process of taking counsel information and training is also available to help us learn the art of listening and processing information and ideas as a part of our discerning.
7. Getting information from other authors and organizations are available and have been recommended to assist you and your congregation in learning about discernment.

Discernment Principles

1. Discernment is an ongoing attitude and practice of Christian spirituality.
2. Specific, structured discernment processes are used to discern God’s will at particular points of need in which we desire to align our lives and ministry more fully with God’s purposes.
3. Discerning what it is we need to discern is a critical part of the discernment process. Getting clear about the question is an important first step.
4. Discernment does not take place in a neat, orderly, linear fashion. We may find ourselves being drawn back to scripture or pulled once more into silent prayer as we stay open to God during the discernment process.
5. Discernment includes head, heart, spirit, and body work. We think and speak, we listen and wait, we feel and are moved, we have physical sensations and responses. It is a whole person process.
6. Discernment is based on the trust that God is the Source of all we are and are trying to do. God is the One who already knows what we are seeking and wants to communicate with us. Letting God be larger, wiser, and greater than us is a key shift in our awareness. We think we know this and then find ourselves still trying to figure it out in our own minds or worrying about finding the one true solution.
7. Intentional Group Discernment usually incorporates attention to the following components:
   • Setting a context of openness to the Spirit and maintaining that focus
   • Inviting participants to set aside personal agendas, conflicts, and preconceived ideas about the outcome. This is called “Holy Indifference” and does not mean we don’t care but rather that we trust God to know more than we do and are willing to let go of the answers we already have.
   • Getting clear about the question to be discerned
   • Reviewing and sharing relevant history and background related to the issue or question
   • Reflecting on relevant scriptures
   • Intentional times of silent reflection and receptive listening
   • Use of spiritual practices that encourage reflection and listening. These may include silence, journaling, lectio divina (reflective reading of scripture), imaging, centering prayer/breath prayer, and other disciplines.
   • Open, honest, non-judgmental sharing of insights and awarenesses that come out of reflection times. Listening and relational skills are critical at this point. All should be heard and listen with careful, respectful attention.
   • Art, music, movement, or poetry may also be used to open the creative, intuitive gifts of the group to the impress of the Spirit. Insight may come in word, image, color, shape, sound that inform the larger process.
   • Eventually the group will come to a tentative consensus and the idea will be tested for its validity and completeness.
   • More discernment will be necessary before the group feels it has heard what was needed and has been faithful in receiving what the Spirit offered.
   • Response and implementation will be the hoped for results of the discernment process