Experiences of Theological Reflection
Hawley Todd | mentor, trainer, former coordinator
Our new Executive Director Kevin Goodman recently contacted me and asked me to share some of my thoughts and experiences about Theological Reflections. Therefore, these ponderings will be mostly from the Action and Position Sources. They arise from my personal experiences having mentored for a very long time and having led many Foundations/Basics trainings for mentors. I have no exact idea how many TR’s I have facilitated but it is likely to be well over 2000. These will be my personal beliefs and observations unless otherwise specified. Your experiences and beliefs may differ.
When I went to my very first mentor training, I knew nothing about EFM. I was on staff at a large Episcopal parish and my Rector wanted me to see if EFM might be a good fit for our adult formation program. When I got to that training, I was appalled and dismayed. Back in those days, things were done only one way – the Microscope Method. And the Basic training was concerned only with teaching mentors how to do Theological Reflection/ the Microscope Method. I had been a University professor teaching World Religions. I wanted to see the books we would use and examine the curriculum. I was told that the heart and soul of EFM was doing Theological Reflection. I fought it tooth and nail during that training. Somehow, I was recommended for certification as a mentor.
Over the decades, I have typically led 2 or 3 seminar groups every year. My understanding of what Theological Reflection is and how one might facilitate a TR has evolved and changed. I believe the most critical factor for a seminar group to embrace TR’s is the ATTITUDE of the mentor. As the years progressed, I came to have a deep love and enthusiasm for the TR process. I approach each TR with wonder and delight because I know that the Holy Spirit will be the primary facilitator. I believe the key is TRUST. Trust that God is guiding the TR. Trust the process – the 4 movements and the 4 sources. Trust the group – the wisdom and insights that each person brings never cease to amaze me. Trust yourself and let go of any need to get it right.
It is essential for mentors to help participants realize that Reflection is normal. We do it constantly and are forever listening to 3 voices/sources: our personal beliefs (Position), our memories/experiences (Action) and all the external input of the outside world (Culture). We do Theological Reflection to add a fourth voice. In its simplest form, Theological Reflection is a spiritual discipline to empower us to incorporate God consciously and intentionally in our daily lives. Sadly, it has been my experience that most Christians are functionally illiterate of our Christian heritage. We do 4 years of reading and study of the EFM curriculum so that participants add Tradition to the Reflection process. Once participants understand that the fundamental purpose of doing TR’s is to cultivate an internal disposition and habit pattern wherein God is integral to all that we are and do, then most participants fully embrace the process.
At a recent mentor training, I asked the group to ponder why do we do TR’s. The primary response of the group was that we do TR’s so that we develop a life skill that supports a new way of life centered upon God. We do TR’s to learn to listen to one another and gain different lens with which to see the world. We do TR’s to lessen the gap between what we believe and what we do. We do TR’s to incarnate God in our lives and in the world.
The history and progression of how to do TR’s within EFM is fascinating. Please note that for many years there was only one way of doing Theological Reflection – the Microscope method. It started from the Action Source and almost always involved the creation of a metaphor as the focus of the TR. Over the years, mentors and trainers experimented and developed many alternative “ways” to do Theological Reflection. Eventually, it became apparent that one can do a TR starting in any Source. The critical factor was that one needed a clear focus which all the participants would agree to explore. My personal belief is that the Focus is the only aspect of a TR about which a mentor needs to have group consensus. For the other 3 movements, I love to have participants who have multiple ways of seeing and relating to the Focus. It has brought me great hope as I watch participants deeply listen to one another and engage in open dialogue about many sensitive and culturally divisive issues.
As I reflect back upon the Foundations trainings emphasizing TR’s that I have led, I have had many surprises and take-aways. First of all, there is great diversity in the trainer network concerning how one does TR’s properly. It would appear as if some mentors were taught that only mentors should lead TR’s. Conversely, it appears as if other mentors were taught that every participant must lead TR’s. My personal stance is similar to the old adage about Confession – all may, some should, none must. Many participants easily learn the flow of the movements of facilitating a TR and can do an excellent job. However, I personally believe that facilitating a group TR is an art form. It is like learning to play an instrument. It takes dedication and practice to hone one’s facilitating skills. I never force or require a participant in any seminar to facilitate a TR.
Another aspect concerning how one does TR’s in a group is the process of picking a focus. Again, there seems to be diversity in how trainers approach this topic. Some mentors have been taught to assign participants the responsibility of bringing a Focus Topic on a rotating weekly basis. Other mentors report that they pay attention to the “energy of the group” during the text discussions or at break etc., to see what emerges out of the life of the group that day. Personally, I ask all of my participants to be on the lookout throughout the week for anything that might make a good Focus. It is my way of combing the two approaches. My rule of thumb is to be prepared with possible topics for a Focus but to above all pay attention to how God is moving in a seminar group on any particular day and go with what God is doing.
The Reading and Reflection Guide has excellent materials on how to do Theological Reflections. The Resource section is great. My biggest surprise in trainings has been encountering accredited mentors who did not know the difference between individual and group theological reflection. The “practice” portion of the RRG often suggests ways for individuals to practice and learn methods of doing individual TR. Twice in trainings, I have had a mentor sign up to lead a group TR and then have that person share his/her completed individual TR. Please note: a group TR is one where the whole group participates throughout the process. A mentor facilitates the process. However, the TR goes wherever the group takes it. If a mentor/facilitator has a preconceived notion of where the TR should go or what participants should learn from exploring the Focus and connecting with the various Sources, it can be a frustrating experience for everyone. Over many years, I often experimented with taking the same Focus to all 3 of my groups. I can guarantee you that no group ever went to the same place.
Lastly, I want to mention two aspects of doing TR’s that some mentors skip in trainings. The first is the Action Source. I believe that the reason the original TR method began in the Action Source is that it is essential. One’s memories and experiences create the lens through which one sees everything. I often ask participants to share the first memory that arises in their consciousness in relation to the Focus. I encourage them to freely associate and briefly share whatever emerges. It does not have to make sense or relate in any obvious way to the Focus. Over and over, I have observed “some random memory that made no sense at all” become the key that unlocked the Focus for another participant or the group. At least for myself, it has taught me how profoundly my life experiences shape and color all my values and perceptions. The second is the Apply Movement. The Apply Movement is not the same thing as writing a Group Collect. A Group Collect is a practice that many seminar groups do at the end of a TR. They have great value and can be wonderful. A group can both write a Collect and give space and time for individuals to share what they may do. The Apply Movement is where the group process of the TR becomes individualized. It is that opportunity to say: “so what?” or “that was wonderful, now how am I going to live this out and make it real?” Without taking the insights and learning of the first 3 movements of the TR and applying them to one’s lived life, the TR is just an intellectual exercise. A great on-board question for the following week, might be to share how one applied the TR during the week.
Theological Reflection is a life skill and a spiritual discipline. It has transformed my life in so many ways. I can’t wait to see how God will surprise me this year! Enjoy the process and have fun. Trust God, Trust the Process, Trust the Group, and Trust Yourself.