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Memories, Hopes, and Conversations: Appreciative Inquiry and Congregational Change
A second edition of Memories, Hopes, and Conversations is now available! With helpful updates throughout, the new edition features five new chapters on Appreciative Inquiry applied in real congregations.
When First Presbyterian Church in Altadena, California, was asked to provide a mission study report for its pastor nominating committee, the congregation was afraid they would find themselves engaging in busy work and producing a report that would wind up in a file gathering dust. They then asked professor Mark Lau Branson to consult with them on writing this report. He invited them to join in a process of Appreciative Inquiry--a transformational organization change process--which resulted in a major shift in congregational conversations and a new sense of hope. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations recounts the experience of First Presbyterian and outlines a process that any congregation can utilize to harness the energies of the congregation at all levels of its common life. Branson first leads readers through the foundations of Appreciative Inquiry and bracingly explores biblical texts for understanding the practice in a faith context. He then outlines and illustrates a four-step process--Initiate, Inquire, Imagine, Innovate--that creatively employs constructive conversations and questions to evoke storytelling and spur imaginations. Branson persuasively demonstrates how concentrating on needs and problems can mire a congregation in discouragement and distract it from noticing innate strengths. By focusing on memories of the congregation at its best, members are able to construct "provocative proposals" to help shape the church’s future. Grounded in solid theory and real-life practice, Memories, Hopes, and Conversations is a groundbreaking work of narrative leadership and the first book to apply the principles of Appreciative Inquiry to the lives of congregations.
When First Presbyterian Church in Altadena, California, was asked to provide a mission study report for its pastor nominating committee, the congregation was afraid they would find themselves engaging in busy work and producing a report that would wind up in a file gathering dust. They then asked professor Mark Lau Branson to consult with them on writing this report. He invited them to join in a process of Appreciative Inquiry--a transformational organization change process--which resulted in a major shift in congregational conversations and a new sense of hope. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations recounts the experience of First Presbyterian and outlines a process that any congregation can utilize to harness the energies of the congregation at all levels of its common life. Branson first leads readers through the foundations of Appreciative Inquiry and bracingly explores biblical texts for understanding the practice in a faith context. He then outlines and illustrates a four-step process--Initiate, Inquire, Imagine, Innovate--that creatively employs constructive conversations and questions to evoke storytelling and spur imaginations. Branson persuasively demonstrates how concentrating on needs and problems can mire a congregation in discouragement and distract it from noticing innate strengths. By focusing on memories of the congregation at its best, members are able to construct "provocative proposals" to help shape the church’s future. Grounded in solid theory and real-life practice, Memories, Hopes, and Conversations is a groundbreaking work of narrative leadership and the first book to apply the principles of Appreciative Inquiry to the lives of congregations.
156 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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October 9, 2012
In this 2004 book published by the Alban Institute, Mark Lau Branson introduces the reader to the concept of appreciative inquiry in the context of its implementation in one particular congregation. Branson is a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, and shortly after his family moved to Pasadena for him to teach there, they had begun attending First Presbyterian Church of Altadena. The majority of the congregation is Japanese, two or three generations removed from the original immigrants. They were in the transition between pastors, and their denomination requires that they answer certain stock survey questions about their church in order for the church to understand their direction and who could best serve them as their next pastor. Branson says that the congregation was starting to suffer from aging and apathy and was having trouble with the process. When the congregation learned that Branson taught at a seminary, they asked him to be a consultant to them in the process. Branson reluctantly said yes.
Branson decided to introduce the committee to appreciative inquiry, and this book combines the abstract concepts of appreciative inquiry with how it actually played itself out in this Japanese and Presbyterian congregation. Branson knew the committee needed a new way to approach this effort, because they had done it after the departure of every pastor, and people were starting to express apathy about the Presbyterian survey's usefulness: "We've done these mission studies before. They're in the church office, gathering dust," one man said (1). Branson introduces the committee to appreciative inquiry (or, AI) by letting them experience it themselves. In doing so, the committee is led to reflect on their strengths and their most cherished stories. Branson contrasts AI with problem solving. "When the problem solving approach dominates, most discussions are about problems and inadequacies...This is not dissimilar to Western medicine and its focus on illness, targetable causes, and invasive procedures" (21-22). Rather than treating a congregation system mechanically as problem solving does, "appreciative inquiry assumes that all organizations have significant life forces, and these forces are available in stories and imaginations" (23).
Branson includes a chapter reflecting on the role of this positive orientation in the Bible. Drawing largely from the Pauline epistles, pastoral letters, and the psalms, Branson points out the large role that gratitude plays in the scriptures. This relates to AI's focus on the good and life-giving aspects of any congregation. He notes how Paul started even his most scathing letters with gratitude for the receiving church and for how they had shown their faithfulness in the past. Also, the structure of the psalms and prophets "indicate that remembering and giving thanks are primary means of receptivity. And these memories are essential to their children" (49).
In the second half of the book, Branson details how this process worked and what the results were in First Presbyterian Church of Altadena. Although there is no need to summarize those details here, Branson does share several important insights from this one particular church's experience. For example, this church received very positive feedback about sharing interview questions beforehand so that respondents had time to think about them, finding this to be important to successful interviewing. Also, the church found important generational distinctions through the process and used positive descriptions of each group's contribution to create contextually relevant "provocative proposals." (Provocative proposals are statements that describe the church's vision for its ministry in the present tense as if it's already happening).
Branson's book has numerous strengths. First and foremost, it strikes a realistic chord about the nature of the church. The author contrasts appreciative inquiry with problem solving and demonstrates a keen awareness of how easily church's slip into a downward spiral of despair and demoralization, especially in today's culture where so many churches are declining. In First Presbyterian, he noted that even when positive stories of successful programs came up, they were often followed with comments like, "I don't know how long we old folks can keep doing this" (6). The book is also strengthened by its description of how appreciate inquiry worked itself out in a particular congregation, and the author was honest about what worked well, what didn't, and what he would have changed. Third, the book has a good basis in post-modern theory and science with conclusions that ring true in real life. For example, whereas modern Newtonian science assumed linear cause and effect relationships, new science has discovered much more complexity and unpredictability and that systems work as a whole. Family Systems Theory argues quite convincingly that the same is true with humans. Finally, Branson's biblical commentary was very well argued and presented. It is a thorough hermeneutic that does not proof-text and present isolated verses that only appear to support his case.
Branson's book has one main weakness: it seems that the process could be kept much more simple. Particularly in the second half of the book when the author shares the specifics of First Presbyterian's process, things start to get somewhat convoluted with numerous steps, prescribed time frames, and multiple subsets (see especially pp. 65-85). A process that could potentially be very fluid and adaptable becomes a bit burdensome as the book moves along. Another example of the lack of simplicity is found in the thematic descriptions and provocative proposals of First Presbyterian. Several of them seem far too long to be helpful or memorable. Nevertheless, this book represents a good primer on the concept of appreciative inquiry and builds a solid case for its potential effectiveness in many congregational settings. It holds many possibilities for current emphases on missional transformation and congregational change.
Branson decided to introduce the committee to appreciative inquiry, and this book combines the abstract concepts of appreciative inquiry with how it actually played itself out in this Japanese and Presbyterian congregation. Branson knew the committee needed a new way to approach this effort, because they had done it after the departure of every pastor, and people were starting to express apathy about the Presbyterian survey's usefulness: "We've done these mission studies before. They're in the church office, gathering dust," one man said (1). Branson introduces the committee to appreciative inquiry (or, AI) by letting them experience it themselves. In doing so, the committee is led to reflect on their strengths and their most cherished stories. Branson contrasts AI with problem solving. "When the problem solving approach dominates, most discussions are about problems and inadequacies...This is not dissimilar to Western medicine and its focus on illness, targetable causes, and invasive procedures" (21-22). Rather than treating a congregation system mechanically as problem solving does, "appreciative inquiry assumes that all organizations have significant life forces, and these forces are available in stories and imaginations" (23).
Branson includes a chapter reflecting on the role of this positive orientation in the Bible. Drawing largely from the Pauline epistles, pastoral letters, and the psalms, Branson points out the large role that gratitude plays in the scriptures. This relates to AI's focus on the good and life-giving aspects of any congregation. He notes how Paul started even his most scathing letters with gratitude for the receiving church and for how they had shown their faithfulness in the past. Also, the structure of the psalms and prophets "indicate that remembering and giving thanks are primary means of receptivity. And these memories are essential to their children" (49).
In the second half of the book, Branson details how this process worked and what the results were in First Presbyterian Church of Altadena. Although there is no need to summarize those details here, Branson does share several important insights from this one particular church's experience. For example, this church received very positive feedback about sharing interview questions beforehand so that respondents had time to think about them, finding this to be important to successful interviewing. Also, the church found important generational distinctions through the process and used positive descriptions of each group's contribution to create contextually relevant "provocative proposals." (Provocative proposals are statements that describe the church's vision for its ministry in the present tense as if it's already happening).
Branson's book has numerous strengths. First and foremost, it strikes a realistic chord about the nature of the church. The author contrasts appreciative inquiry with problem solving and demonstrates a keen awareness of how easily church's slip into a downward spiral of despair and demoralization, especially in today's culture where so many churches are declining. In First Presbyterian, he noted that even when positive stories of successful programs came up, they were often followed with comments like, "I don't know how long we old folks can keep doing this" (6). The book is also strengthened by its description of how appreciate inquiry worked itself out in a particular congregation, and the author was honest about what worked well, what didn't, and what he would have changed. Third, the book has a good basis in post-modern theory and science with conclusions that ring true in real life. For example, whereas modern Newtonian science assumed linear cause and effect relationships, new science has discovered much more complexity and unpredictability and that systems work as a whole. Family Systems Theory argues quite convincingly that the same is true with humans. Finally, Branson's biblical commentary was very well argued and presented. It is a thorough hermeneutic that does not proof-text and present isolated verses that only appear to support his case.
Branson's book has one main weakness: it seems that the process could be kept much more simple. Particularly in the second half of the book when the author shares the specifics of First Presbyterian's process, things start to get somewhat convoluted with numerous steps, prescribed time frames, and multiple subsets (see especially pp. 65-85). A process that could potentially be very fluid and adaptable becomes a bit burdensome as the book moves along. Another example of the lack of simplicity is found in the thematic descriptions and provocative proposals of First Presbyterian. Several of them seem far too long to be helpful or memorable. Nevertheless, this book represents a good primer on the concept of appreciative inquiry and builds a solid case for its potential effectiveness in many congregational settings. It holds many possibilities for current emphases on missional transformation and congregational change.
October 9, 2017
Friends praised and praised this volume. I read it, and I'm not sure I get the enthusiasm.
Appreciate Inquiry can be a helpful strategy, I'm sure. But I can't help but see its blindspots. In my forays with AI, I find the neuroses of the congregation amplified under the guise of nurturing the positive. Where is space for reckoning with failure, with malformation, with misdirected desires?
Lau Branson presents a helpful on ramp to AI. And the second edition's "missional" turn, with its five guest contributors, is a great addition.
That said, I'm still troubled. Where is space for contradiction? For growing beyond our past, beyond even our best imaginations of the past?
(Perhaps this is where we depend on God's Spirit to work in the overlooked details. Perhaps. But maybe we also need to give attention to the places we tend to overlook.)
Appreciate Inquiry can be a helpful strategy, I'm sure. But I can't help but see its blindspots. In my forays with AI, I find the neuroses of the congregation amplified under the guise of nurturing the positive. Where is space for reckoning with failure, with malformation, with misdirected desires?
Lau Branson presents a helpful on ramp to AI. And the second edition's "missional" turn, with its five guest contributors, is a great addition.
That said, I'm still troubled. Where is space for contradiction? For growing beyond our past, beyond even our best imaginations of the past?
(Perhaps this is where we depend on God's Spirit to work in the overlooked details. Perhaps. But maybe we also need to give attention to the places we tend to overlook.)
October 27, 2013
When I asked our preacher for a book to read that related to his pursuing a doctorate, this is the book he gave me. The book gives both details on the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and examples of how it was followed at one church. There are appendices that give summary details. The book also gives sample questions and sample provocative proposals.
5 Basic Processes of AI
1. choose the positive as the focus of inquiry
2. inquire into stories of life-giving forces
3. locate themes that appear in the stories and select topics for further inquiry
4. created shared images for a preferred future
5. find innovate ways to create that future
4-I Model
Step 1: Initiate
1. lay foundations
2. determine the research focus
3. form the generic questions
4. create initial strategies
Step 2: Inquire
1. finalize interview questions
2. develop a protocol
3. select interviewees
4. assign and prepare interviewees
5. conduct interviews
6. gather data
Step 3: Imagine
1. collate data
2. share data
3. find life-giving themes
4. decide themes for initial focus
5. develop provocative proposals
Step 4: Innovate
1. informal personal initiatives
2. informal initiatives of pairs of small groups
3. initiatives and collaboration of formal committees
4. formal initiatives of official boards
5 Basic Processes of AI
1. choose the positive as the focus of inquiry
2. inquire into stories of life-giving forces
3. locate themes that appear in the stories and select topics for further inquiry
4. created shared images for a preferred future
5. find innovate ways to create that future
4-I Model
Step 1: Initiate
1. lay foundations
2. determine the research focus
3. form the generic questions
4. create initial strategies
Step 2: Inquire
1. finalize interview questions
2. develop a protocol
3. select interviewees
4. assign and prepare interviewees
5. conduct interviews
6. gather data
Step 3: Imagine
1. collate data
2. share data
3. find life-giving themes
4. decide themes for initial focus
5. develop provocative proposals
Step 4: Innovate
1. informal personal initiatives
2. informal initiatives of pairs of small groups
3. initiatives and collaboration of formal committees
4. formal initiatives of official boards
April 12, 2015
Read this book for a Pastoral Care class on joy and celebration. Essentially this is a case study of an Appreciative Inquiry Branson lead at his church. There is some explanation of AI but mostly its a description of the process as conducted in this particular parish and as such is very illustrative of what is possible. In a culture that focuses so much on what is wrong and problem-solving and fixing and coming from a "disease" mentality (the DSM V was just released -- of course greatly expanded from previous additions -- is there anything about us that can't be labelled as a condition?), it's refreshing to read about Appreciative Inquiry. AI focuses on our strengths and our dreams. It doesn't ignore what's wrong but it invites us to look at what isn't working from the perspective of how can we dream this better by building on our strengths, on what we do well, on ways in which we flourish. I'm reading a more technical book on AI right now that is very illuminating and instructive, but I'm glad I read Branson's case study first so I understand what the process actually looks like in reality. Great book for anyone interested in AI, particularly in religious settings.
October 20, 2011
I like the assumptions of this book, especially:
- What we focus on becomes our reality.
- Asking questions influences the group.
- If we carry parts of the past into the future, they should be what is best about the past.
The framing story of Mark Lau Branson's participation in a congregation's effort to identify its own value, purpose, and calling in God's kingdom intrigued me. I could see similarities with the issues and cultures in my faith community. I look forward to applying his methods and questions to lift the level of conversation in a positively illuminating direction.
I'm excited that he's going to be speaking at a conference just a few hours away in Fresno, California: "Renew: Where Worship and Mission Intersect," College Church of Christ, 10-12 February 2012. 559 439 6530
- What we focus on becomes our reality.
- Asking questions influences the group.
- If we carry parts of the past into the future, they should be what is best about the past.
The framing story of Mark Lau Branson's participation in a congregation's effort to identify its own value, purpose, and calling in God's kingdom intrigued me. I could see similarities with the issues and cultures in my faith community. I look forward to applying his methods and questions to lift the level of conversation in a positively illuminating direction.
I'm excited that he's going to be speaking at a conference just a few hours away in Fresno, California: "Renew: Where Worship and Mission Intersect," College Church of Christ, 10-12 February 2012. 559 439 6530
July 24, 2015
Excellent and accessible book on appreciative inquiry. This is a narrative based introduction to appreciative inquiry (AI). The author utilizes a case study of a congregation he assisted in using AI to evaluate and guide the congregation.
Branson includes both science and theological imagery to provide the foundations of AI theory. A great resource for lay leaders and professionals in guiding healthy evaluation of congregational life and mission.
Branson includes both science and theological imagery to provide the foundations of AI theory. A great resource for lay leaders and professionals in guiding healthy evaluation of congregational life and mission.
June 14, 2013
I think the process of what Branson is describing is fantastic. A.I. (Appreciative Inquiry) is radical in it's simplicity. It is profound because it is the refusal to let negativity command a change process. It is a strangely simple act to stay absolutely positive as you deal with bringing change to an organization that is struggling.
November 12, 2007
Written from a Protestant perspective, this is a useful presentation of the method of appreciative inquiry with concrete illustrations of its application. Biblical support for the method (which speaks for itself) is helpfully confined to one chapter, which can be skipped without consequence.
April 28, 2013
Church leadership is seldom so practical and universally applicable. Branson's understanding of how to implement appreciative inquiry for sake of positive change is outstanding! Read this book and begin to apply some of the techniques he is sugesting.
January 21, 2014
Interest look and procedure on making congregational changes in the church. B
September 1, 2015
I enjoyed the book, but would have liked to see more on the changes brought about by the process. The last chapter was too brief.
September 22, 2010
Great introduction to Appreciative Inquiry.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews