ASKaround decks have 80 questions to start a million conversations that matter.

  • Parishes can use a question to open small group meetings. Give each small group a deck and ask them to choose a theme to explore.

  • Start Parish Council with a Think:Pair:Share process and ask a different person to choose the question each meeting.

  • The flower group can discuss a question or two as they create their display.

  • See the HOPE 25 information for more ideas!

Some people play ASKaround in church. Take a look at some ways to get people talking …

During a Church Service:

  • Choose a question that relates to the Ministry of the Word theme for the Sunday.

  • Print the question in your pew notices, or advertise it on the PowerPoint.

  • Ask people to think about their response to that question, and say there’ll be a chance to share after the sermon.

  • Give thinking time, provide time to take turns speaking and listening, wait for the buzz to dip, then move on.

  • There’s no need to share responses to the whole community, that slows everything down, and freaks people out. With a quiet pairing-up time, you’ve given everyone a chance to speak. That’s all that’s required for building confidence and relationships.

At coffee after the service:

BEFORE THE SERVICE

  • Advertise the question in the pew note, or on the screen.

  • Guess what people will be thinking about throughout the service? How they would answer that question, that’s what!

AFTER THE SERVICE:

  • Over coffee encourage people to ask each other “what’s your answer to that question? I’d love to hear your story!

  • Note that the clues for success here are: give lots of thinking time, and an example of someone talking through the question, then give people the actual words of invitation…easy, and generous. There are no tests here, no one is going to fail this!

  • Encourage active listening and turn-taking.

  • It may help to give permission to say something like “that’s a really great question but I need to tap out for this one. There are things taking my time today. Please ask again another time.”

Idea: discuss ways to say “I’ve got to dash” so people don’t go away stressed, or offended.

Pew notes could have a selection to try out:

  • “Thanks for that question, it’s a great one. I need to think about it a bit more. How about we discuss it another time?”

  • “Thanks for that question, but I need to tap out on this one. There are things taking my time today. Please ask again another time.”

  • “What did you think of that question? I’d love to hear your story!”

  • “I have given that some thought and I’ve got an answer. I bet you have one too. Would you have time to talk?”