To develop the table group into a Christ centered small community.
This community through learning, sharing, praying and loving
together will grow by better understanding themselves, each other
and Christ's presence in their lives.
The table group is the cornerstone of the Tres Dias weekend.
· To see that the discussions of each rollo are on topic and each table member participates.
· The discussion of each talk must be summarized by a group member (secretary) ‑‑‑‑‑ a poster made depicting the talk.
· Situations which disrupt good group dynamics must be dealt with.
· The table chapel visits are a time of sharing and support by the group.
· Pray about your role and responsibility throughout the team meeting process and during the weekend.
· Learn the main theme and key points of each rollo.
· Understand the weekend dynamics.
· Remember the key theme of each day.
· Study the candidates applications ‑ names, personal characteristics, statement.
· Remember, you are merely a channel for the Holy Spirit to work through.
· Be confident that God chose you for this role and that you will be an effective leader through Him.
· Create an atmosphere of openness and acceptance.
· Everyone participates equally ‑‑‑ watch yourself !!
· Discussion focus on the main themes of the talk.
· Relate the discussion to previous rollos.
· Personal rather than intellectual.
· Broad rather than narrow (within context of that talk).
· Try to understand everyone's point of view ‑‑‑ don't be
· judgmental.
· Stress what we have in common ‑‑‑ not what divides us.
· Let the candidates and table groups unfold at their own pace ‑‑
· don't get nervous on Friday.
· The weekend is the evangelist, not you.
· Be yourself (within the group dynamics).
· Become one of the group.
· Don't dominate.
· Don't teach, be an expert or authority.
· Be a listener.
· Silence is OK ‑‑‑ don't panic.
· You are not a counselor ‑‑ refer to the Spiritual Director.
· Giving advice or "the answer" is usually inappropriate.
· Sensitivity ‑‑‑ accept and try to understand another's view.
· Confidentiality ‑‑‑ some private information or feelings will
be shared.
· Don't evangelize.
· Let the Holy Spirit work.
· Use the Spiritual Directors ‑‑‑ post them on problems sooner, rather than later.
· Keep the weekend leadership aware of problems, needs, annoyances, etc.
· Take time to pray with your co‑table leader.
· Work with your co‑table leader in partnership ‑‑‑ dealing with a candidate need or problem ‑‑‑ addressing friction between yourselves.
· Respond to the Rector's cues or directions, e.g.: ending a discussion when told to do so.
· Spend time at breaks, meals, etc., to get to know your tablemates better, and to followup "loose ends" arising at table discussions.
· One table leader takes the worst seat ‑‑‑ back to the lectern.
· Table leaders sit opposite one another.
· Candidate hearing problem? ‑‑‑ get a front table.
· One table leader be the first secretary ‑‑‑ if natural.
· Set an example on note taking ‑‑‑ keep writing.
· Make sure candidates understand the process, e.g.: poster on the talk and not the discussion.
· Poster participation ‑‑‑ keep handing a marker to a non‑participant, tell them what to draw.
· Evening sessions can be key for shy candidates ‑‑‑ accompany them up front to present summary or poster.
· Make sure a candidate secretary has taken his/her notes ‑‑‑ if not, or is uncomfortable, replay main discussion themes.
The chapel visits on Saturday and Sunday are the only weekend
activity as a small group away from the rollo room table. This
opportunity to pray together as a small Christian community is a
very meaningful time. It is meant to be a time of individual
sharing in God's presence and power. It is often a time of
confession, unburdening or lifting up personal concerns. It is
extremely important that each group member have their time of
prayer with no distraction or interruption.
The table leader responsibilities include the following:
· Lead the group to the chapel (one has the cross) ‑‑‑ get comfortable and relaxed in a circle.
· Explain the process ‑‑‑ why we are here, what is open prayer, perhaps a scripture reading or a reading from the Pilgrim's guide, OK to pray silently, process of passing the cross.
· Offer the first prayer ‑‑‑ obviously you can set an example and a tone for the prayer time.
· Deal with situations that might arise ‑‑‑ special needs for support, distractions, e.g.: praising, speaking in tongues. You must decide (with immediate prayer) whether, when, and how
a situation must be handled.
· Terminate your prayer time in a planned and timely manner, partly dependent on the Rector's instructions.
The two table leaders should spend time together prior to the
chapel visits to coordinate their roles and discuss how they will
begin and end the prayer time.
There are lots of other attitudes each of us can unknowingly bring
to a group which are not productive to the group process. For
example: the late comer, the early leaver, the tuner outer, the
broken record, the doubter, the headshaker, the dropout, the
gossip, and the backseat driver. Consider each one of these
attitudes and then consider how you would respond. An effective
leader does not OVER REACT or IGNORE, but rather INTERVENES
POSITIVELY.
ALL TABLES SHOULD PRACTICE THESE SITUATIONS ON THE LAST OR NEXT TO
LAST TEAM MEETING. EVEN THE AUXILIARIES SHOULD PARTICIPATE, AS THEY
HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INTER‑MIX WITH THE CANDIDATES, AND SHOULD KNOW
HOW TO HANDLE SITUATIONS.
#1 You are a NON‑CONTRIBUTOR to the conversation around the table.
Your responses are YES, NO, I DON'T KNOW. or some other CURT
reply.
#2 You are a CONVERSATION MONOPOLIZER. You stay on the proper topic,
but don't let anyone else get a word in edgewise.
#3 You don't want to talk about the proper subject. ALL you want to
do is discuss the vacation you just returned from in .
#4 You are an IRRITABLE PERSON. You pick on several peoples at the
table, in a way that hurts them personally (no foul language),
trying to start an argument or antaganizing them.
#5 You don't want to be on the weekend. You feel you were TRICKED
into coming by your sponsor. You keep saying you don't know why
you came. You'd rather be at a party with your best friend.
Finally you announce that you are leaving and pick up your things
and walk out of the room.
#6 You are a real BUBBLY PERSON, glad to be on the weekend. You laugh
all the time at whatever anyone says, funny or not. After a while
you get on people's nerves.
#7 You are a STRONG CHRISTIAN, but you have a problem. You think you
are a little more advanced when compared to the rest of those at
the table. The beliefs of your particular denomination are the
right ones and you aren't very tolerant of most others' religous
views.
#8 You CHANGED DENOMINATIONS a few years ago. You now believe that
certain of the teachings in the former church were absolutely
wrong. You have bitterness in your heart against that
institutional church, and have not forgiven them for what you
consider was misleading you. You don't want to discuss much else.
#9 You are an INTELLECTUAL. You approach everything from a highly
scientific and logical approach. You need to see, feel, and touch
something before you fully believe it. Accepting many of the
Biblical teachings on faith is difficult for you. You want to talk
about this a lot, and tell others you don't see how they can just
believe those Bible "fairy tales", such as Jonah and the Whale,
the miricles performed by Christ, His Diety, His resurrection and
His ascention into heaven. Instead of discussing the Rollos, this
is what you want to talk about.
Objectives, responsibilities, guidelines, and process are
necessary and useful for being a TRES DIAS team person. However,
one imperative remains: BE HONESTLY YOURSELF.