God is Dawning Something New at Westwood
As we continue to focus on our 'Onward' theme for 2025, we're going to be exploring what God is 'dawning' at Westwood as we continue toward the place where we're being called through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's program, Dawnings.
Dawnings is a story-based approach to personal and congregational discernment that equips your congregation to discover and fulfill its God-given mission. It all begins with a six-session leadership retreat for our Dawnings team that provides both information and leadership formation to that group that has been chosen by our Church Council. This retreat is led by two Dawnings coaches who have been trained by CBF. Our 2025 Dawnings Team will be:
Our Coaches Are:
Following the retreat, our team will then shares what it learned of the Dawnings “approach” with the larger congregation through a series of four congregational sessions designed to develop a series of stories that bring focus to individual and congregational calling.
In between the retreat and the congregational sessions, we will be further exploring calling and storytelling through Bible studies and sermons.
Through careful listening and reflection, the leadership team recognizes and responds in ways that lead the congregation toward fulfilling its God-given mission. Ever sensitive to a local church’s context, the materials are adaptable to congregational setting, situation, and circumstances.
Dawnings is NOT a five-year vision planning process or an exploration of every next step Westwood should take. It is instead a chance to listen to one another, and to God, as we explore our calling toward where God is calling us next.
Any expenses for the materials and coaches are provided by CBF.
Dawnings is a story-based approach to personal and congregational discernment that equips your congregation to discover and fulfill its God-given mission. It all begins with a six-session leadership retreat for our Dawnings team that provides both information and leadership formation to that group that has been chosen by our Church Council. This retreat is led by two Dawnings coaches who have been trained by CBF. Our 2025 Dawnings Team will be:
- George Parker
- Tim Cunningham
- Anne Ellison
- Glenn Dion
- Renee Bridges
- Javarris Barnett
- Paula Duke
- Katie Brewer
- Elizabeth Goodson
- Lawrence Powers, Ministerial Staff
- Amanda Allard, Ministerial Staff
- Derrick Arellano, Ministerial Staff
Our Coaches Are:
- Stephen Cooke - Senior Pastor at Second Baptist Church, Memphis, TN
- Brian Harfst - Equipping Pastor at Centerville Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA
Following the retreat, our team will then shares what it learned of the Dawnings “approach” with the larger congregation through a series of four congregational sessions designed to develop a series of stories that bring focus to individual and congregational calling.
In between the retreat and the congregational sessions, we will be further exploring calling and storytelling through Bible studies and sermons.
Through careful listening and reflection, the leadership team recognizes and responds in ways that lead the congregation toward fulfilling its God-given mission. Ever sensitive to a local church’s context, the materials are adaptable to congregational setting, situation, and circumstances.
Dawnings is NOT a five-year vision planning process or an exploration of every next step Westwood should take. It is instead a chance to listen to one another, and to God, as we explore our calling toward where God is calling us next.
Any expenses for the materials and coaches are provided by CBF.
Westwood's Dawning Process Plan
- May 16-17, 2025 - Dawnings Team Retreat with our Coaches
- Summer 2025 - Bible studies and sermons on calling/Dawnings Team meetings
- Fall 2025 - Four congregational sessions will take place
More on Dawnings:
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