1. Prophetic Discerner

A Prophetic Discerner is one who sees. We read at the start of Matthew’s second chapter, that while the magi were studying the skies they came across a star not seen before. Armed with their facts, experience and discerning gifts, the magi concluded that this was a sign indicating that one of Israel’s ancient prophecies had been fulfilled. The magi’s response was to follow the star to meet this new king. They were about to witness cosmic change for the whole world. Sometimes in ministry, we will see a situation that we haven’t seen before and it may be an indication that we have to do things differently. Some would call this a ‘sign of the times’. To ensure that we are not jumping on the bandwagon (because everyone is doing it), we need to discern together and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the Church, especially if it is a major change that will cause disruption.

Getting started with my change project

The Pastoral Reflection Cycle

Change Intervention Grid

Activity – What can you see?

15 minutes

The sons of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32) were renowned for studying and interpreting signs. They watched, listened and responded. Being a prophetic discerner means you or your team will be watching the indicators at macro and micro levels, listening (what is the Spirit saying, what are the people saying), and responding (through vision and action which inevitably leads to change).

As a leader of change, begin to think about the following:

What have you noticed about the present state?
What’s your vision for the future state?
How can you bring people along with you?

Here are a few examples of what you might see coming over the horizon:

The predominant culture tends to resist anything new, so people are stuck in a rut
The church is ageing and new people are not coming in
The number of young families and young people is declining
Challenges with reaching specific groups such as age, class and race
Deprivation, educational and economic issues in the community
Lack of volunteers, ministries, gifts and skills
Moving towards being safeguarding proof

The list goes on.

Like the magi, or the sons of Issachar, the prophetic discerner has to enquire what the response should be. Sometimes what you see may be anything from alarming (requiring urgent intervention) to reassuring. Response will require courage because it means it is time to do something about it. But any form of change is likely to meet some degree of resistance.

The next activity will start to bring people along with you by sharing discernment together.

Activity – Reading the signs for change

120 minutes

The following group activity focuses on listening, watching and sharing insights.

With a small team, answer the following reflection questions:

For this activity, use the Pastoral Cycle template in the tools below.

Stop and listen

What is happening here? e.g. internally, externally (community, nationally or globally that impacts your church/organisation)
What indicator(s) around you has caused you to want change?

Analyse and pray

Why is this happening?
What are the triggers?
What does the research say? What are the trends?

Reflection (prophetically discern)

What does it all mean?
What are the implications if you do or don’t respond?

Pray and respond

Your pastoral response becomes your vision for change
Some examples of types of responses:
Institutional (changes to a team/department/governance)
Missional (go to where the community is)
Structural (physical changes to the decor internally or externally)
Grafting in (fresh Create a new worshipping community

Change Resource