Dealing with resistance | Ignite the Way
Fr Philippe Komi Habada, SJ, a Jesuit priest and medical professional from Togo currently on mission in Cameroon, discusses the challenges and solutions related to overcoming resistance during communal discernment within groups. Drawing from his experience leading a group in Yaoundé, he highlights key reasons for resistance such as reluctance from leaders to convene discernment, emotional attachments to certain issues, lack of prayer initiatives, and absence of skilled facilitation.
Emphasizing the importance of prayer and spiritual conversation centred on Jesus, he proposes five practical strategies to foster effective communal discernment:
• training neutral facilitators,
• promoting spiritual conversation practices,
• grounding prayer in Scripture,
• educating members on group discernment,
• cultivating a collective “we” mindset instead of individualistic attitudes.
His insights align with the Church’s current call for synodality, encouraging collaboration, and shared decision-making within communities.
Related Posts:
Sister Pat Murray, a member of the Congregation of Jesus, in episode 21 of Ignite the Way series delivers an insightful presentation on the role of facilitation in general chapters, which are pivotal events in the life of any religious congregation. She emphasizes that general chapters serve as...
In episode 20 of Ignite the Way video series, Fr Hung Pham, a Vietnamese American Jesuit, explores the challenges and strategies involved in discernment within a mixed cultural or intercultural context. Drawing from his personal experience navigating dual cultural identities, Fr Pham emphasizes...
Fr Somy Matthew Mannoor, SJ, a Jesuit from India and formation delegate, presents a case study in the 19th episode of Ignite the Way video series on discernment in common, particularly focusing on young religious in formation. He shares two concrete examples illustrating...
Fr David McCallum, SJ, a Jesuit priest and executive director of the Discerning Leadership Program in Rome, presents an insightful overview of group dynamics within communal discernment processes. He emphasizes that communal discernment requires managing groups effectively...
In the sixteenth episode of Ignite the Way video series, Fr Stephen Sundborg, SJ, former president and current chancellor of Seattle University, discusses the application of “discernment in common” within boards of institutions such as universities and schools. He emphasizes that discernment...
Fr Joseph Anthony de Mello, SJ, in the fifteenth episode of Ignite the Way video series discusses the importance of cultivating a culture of discernment in our daily lives. Discernment, often associated with major decisions like opening communities or expanding ministries, is in fact...
