1 / 24

Living Within the Riverbanks

Explore the significance of being "all in" with God, diving deep into the concept of Kairos Riverbanks and their role in guiding the Kairos ministry. Understand the importance of structure, obedience, and continuity in ministry work. Discover how the Riverbanks provide a framework for spiritual growth and service, ensuring alignment with God's mission. Dive into the history, purpose, and practical applications of the Riverbanks in the Kairos programs. Embrace the freedom and security they offer for volunteers navigating the ministry landscape.

laurens
Download Presentation

Living Within the Riverbanks

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Living Within the Riverbanks Paul Soriano (Florida) Gail Simpson (Ohio)

  2. Living Within the RiverbanksDevotion – Floating Feather My precious child, Your life is so precious to Me.  I know your innermost concerns, thoughts, and desires.  Rest, My child.  I want you to know that life isn't about what you can do for Me.  It is about what you can do with Me.  It's about communion - our being together every moment of every day.  It's about sharing our day and experiencing life together with absolute trust between us...total confidence. I have made it so simple. Think of a feather floating down a stream. It doesn't struggle.  It simply allows the movement of the water to direct it, and the current takes it around every obstacle it meets. As you do life with Me, you will be like a feather.  I will take you where you need to be.  I will help you go around every obstacle in your life and give you joy in your journey. Never forget.  You are My beautiful feather.  You are unique and one of a kind. I love you so much.  I am always with you.

  3. All In!! • What does it mean to be all in? • Can you do anything successfully without being all in?

  4. What is a Kairos Riverbank? “Defines boundaries of the ministry that must be honored. Only by honoring the boundaries is the framework and integrity of the ministry securely maintained as Kairos.” • A Tool to keep us true to God’s mission and a Safety Net • Provides Security and Predictability • Frees us to be Relaxed, Open, Welcoming and Loving

  5. History of Riverbanks • Prior to 2005, the Kairos Manual contained only “Do’s and Don’ts” • Kairos Inside introduced the concept of the Riverbanks and Ezra in 2005 (Blue Manual) • Kairos Outside introduced Riverbanks in 2011 • Kairos Torch included Riverbanks in 2016. • It was a more positive approach of guiding teams to a standardized way of learning Kairos.

  6. Why does Kairos need the Riverbanks? • To honor our history by following all policies and procedures • As a global ministry, to ensures standardization • Keeps the program Ecumenical • Helps us to be obedient to God’s will

  7. Why does Kairos need the Riverbanks? • Structure for volunteers to understand a global ministry • Provides explanations of our key components • Reminds us of the importance of each element through the Weekend. • Our 3 Kairos programs have very similar elements- One Ministry.

  8. One Ministry with Three Programs Kairos Inside Kairos Outside Kairos Torch

  9. Why are the Riverbanks Wide in some areas and Narrow in others? • Wide regarding Team Formation Meetings • allows Weekend Leader to be creative and avoid “veteran” member boredom, i.e., meeting times, # of meetings, agenda • Narrow regarding Total Time for Formation Meetings • every team is different and formation requires time for group dynamics and spiritual preparation (minimum hours 34, 36, 40 ) • Narrow regarding Talk Previews during Formation • all talks are to be reviewed during team meetings to ensure obedience to outline and relevant witness

  10. Why are the Riverbanks Wide in some areas and Narrow in others? • Wide regarding Institutional Issues • Institutions/Youth Facilities vary greatly in what they will/can allow for the Kairos volunteers on a Weekend • Narrow regarding Institution, Facilities, Guests • Torch Advisory Councils must have MOU with the institution • Inside does not allow volunteers to be on a resident’s visitation list • Outside Guests must be at least 20 years of age

  11. Why are the Riverbanks Wide in some areas and Narrow in others? • Wide regarding Sacrifice and Obedience • As Faithful Stewards there are no specific fundraising guidelines, but a responsibility to fund weekends and startup ministries • Narrow regarding Sacrifice and Obedience • As a team member you make a commitment to be present for the entire Weekend.

  12. Why are the Riverbanks Wide in some areas and Narrow in others? • Wide regarding Continuing Ministry • Following the Weekend experience participants are encouraged to gather regularly for accountability, support and prayer. • Narrow regarding Continuing Ministry • Reunions are specifically required to provide the connection needed for the support system to grow. • Kairos Torch Mentor’s Guide • Kairos Outside “Share Witness Account Pray” • Kairos Inside Prayer and Share Groupings

  13. Why are the Riverbanks Wide in some areas and Narrow in others? • Narrow during the Kairos Weekend • There are not many paths that can be chosen by the leader • Everything in Sequence • Nothing Substituted, Nothing Added • The Wisdom of Kairos has established the program as the best method!

  14. How can the Riverbanks be freeing for the team and the ministry? • Allows the entire team to focus on the mission with specific references • Provides a the pathway when unforeseen obstacles arise • Provides clear guidance for the leaders when team members may want to wander ashore with personal changes or enhancements. • Understanding the Riverbanks keeps the team in flowing waters and allows the programs to be successful.

  15. What makes living “All In” the riverbanks difficult or challenging? • Leadership and volunteers are not well versed in all aspects of the Riverbanks • The AC and Weekend Leaders are not fully committed to the Riverbanks • The leadership and volunteers adopt the belief that any form of Kairos is better than none

  16. How well do you know the Riverbanks? • Is a Team application required for every weekend served, or just for the first team? • Every Weekend Served (KT p. 8, # 3) • Can a married couple, or a male and female serve as co-leaders for a Torch weekend as many times as necessary to continue to provide Torch weekends in an institution? • No (KT p. 8, # 6)

  17. Riverbanks, con’t • Can women who have been incarcerated but not selected for a Kairos Inside Weekend attend a Kairos Outside once released? • Yes (KO p. 9, # 3) • Can a volunteer provide a Kairos Inside graduate, due to be released soon, their church name, address and phone number only so they have a contact on the outside? • No (KI p. 10, # 4) • Can the weekend leader prevent conflicts by closely following the Riverbanks? • No (KO p. 10, # 10; KI p. 9, # 10)

  18. Riverbanks, con’t • Can Kairos Torch volunteers reestablish their mentoring relationship with the youth once they are released? • No (KT p. 12, # 9) • Should the closing be treated like a party to celebrate the completion of the weekend for the participants before they have to return to their everyday world inside the institution? • No (KI p. 12, #10; KO p. 12 # 9) • Does a willingness to serve sacrificially, including giving up personal agendas and letting go of control over the weekend, apply to the team leaders? • Yes (KI, p.11, # 8; p.6 # 5; KT p. 9, # 1,3; KO p. 7, # 5)

  19. Riverbanks, con’t • Does Kairos Torch strive to provide a safe place for youth to enhance positive self esteem, promote constructive life choices and an interpersonal relationships with Jesus Christ? • Yes (KT p. 11, # 8) • Since participants are never celebrated in prison, is it a good idea to have a birthday cake to acknowledge and affirm participants with birthdays during the weekend? • No (KI p. 12, #3) • Can a team member be on an inmate’s visitation list as long as that person is not a part of the Kairos weekend? • No (KI p. 10, #2)

  20. Riverbanks, con’t • Is “3 on, 1 off” is a requirement for Torch? • Yes (KT p. 8, # 7) • Are talk outlines merely a general guideline for new volunteers and not necessarily a requirement that must be followed? • No (KI p. 9, # 4; KO P. 14, # 5) • Should volunteers dress up to give a talk to let the participants know how special and important the talk is? • No (KO p. 11, # 2)

  21. Riverbanks con’t • Are spouses who serve together on a KO weekend are encouraged to show moderate affection toward each other as a model for appropriate male/female relationships? • No (KO p. 9, # 8) • Is it an expectation for every volunteer to be in an accountability group?) • Yes (KI p. 8, # 4; KI p. 14, #1

  22. Let’s share • Was there something that surprised you? Something new? • How can you help your Weekend Leader or your AC understand and implement the Riverbanks? • Does your institution create obstacles to any Riverbanks? Have you been able to overcome these obstacles? • Does your AC struggle with any Riverbanks? • Do you have any suggestions to help others understand or implement the Riverbanks?

  23. Final Thoughts • All Kairos volunteers are expected to uphold the Kairos Core Values which include agreements to be obedient to the guidelines of the Kairos Ministry Programs. • When we chose to ignore any part of the Riverbanks, we are breaking our covenant with Kairos. • Every volunteer has the responsibility to be committed to being “All In” to prevent skewing the ministry in any way away from our foundational documents!

More Related