The Advisory Panel

I'm posting this after the last of the Advisory Panel Conversations.

Question: Do you know the best mind-mapping software?

Answer: Are you a 17 year old preparing for his A Levels?

I can always rely on my colleagues to bring me back down to earth. I've been a proponent of mind-mapping in education for many years but...confession time...I've never actually really sat down and produced one. Until now.

The Methodist Church's approach to this panel is genius:

• It is fair.
• It is testing.
• It uses successful strategies common in secular (real world?) interviews to identify the characteristics of the 'interviewee'.
• In most guidance and documentation the panel is referred to as a 'conversation' (see Page 6: https://media.methodist.org.uk/media/documents/G.1.1_Guide_to_DOV_Part_One.pdf)
• From the very beginning of DOV1, unprompted, it has been made clear that the questions asked during this conversation are unknown. This was mentioned by my accompanist before and after the retreat, and during the retreat itself.
• Known factors:
  • Three members + Accompanist
  • 4 Possible Outcomes

There are some immediate challenges that might be obvious but are worth noting.

• This isn't a job interview
  • There isn't a defined 'job description'...but see below re: recommended note-to-self re: reading.
• This is another step towards a life changing shift in response to a call from God.
  • So...it's not a job interview.
• It is a milestone moment.

I have also wrestled with the term advisory.

It is important to remember that the DOV1 Advisory Group are providing considered advice and suggestions but the decision about your next step remains entirely your decision. If you choose to offer as a candidate through DOV2, you will have opportunity through your portfolio and at the DOV2 Connexional Committee to explain your response to their advice.

Honestly, how affirming would it be if three people I've never met before, in the space of an hour, discern that they are as enthusiastic about testing my call formally through the offering phase into DOV2 and beyond?

That bit is obvious. And I'll come back to the 'wrestle-factor'...