Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways do you think faith can enhance our capacity for exploration, as argued by Dwight Gibson?
2. Why do you think Tod Bolsinger uses the phrase “adventure or die” when discussing the church’s need for exploration? What implications does this have for church leadership today?
3. How do you perceive the current state of exploration in the church? Do you see more tendencies toward maintaining the status quo or striving for new territories?
4. Bolsinger mentions that the church often wants to “go back” rather than move forward. Can you discuss a time when this inclination has been evident in your personal experience or observed in your religious community?
5. What do you think are the primary fears or anxieties that prevent churches from embarking on exploration and change?
6. Considering Bolsinger’s point about needing to teach and form people for the future, discuss how church leaders can effectively equip their congregations for this task.
7. How does the concept of feeling “unfamilied” in unfamiliar situations resonate with you? How can church communities provide support to those feeling lost or anxious in the face of change?
8. How does the idea that we need mentors and a community to accompany us in exploration apply to both church leadership and individual spiritual journeys?
9. Reflect on the connection between faith and exploration as discussed by Markus Watson and Tod Bolsinger. How does trusting that God is with us encourage us to take risks and embark on new paths?
10. In the context of adaptive leadership, discuss the importance of saying “I don’t know” and the willingness to experience loss. How do these concepts challenge our conventional understanding of leadership within the church?
