Read below about the innovative tool introduced at Gathering 2006. It’s a great resource for decision-making in your congregation.
Con·sen·sus = “general or widespread agreement among all the members of a group”
“Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." -Philippians 2:2
Consensus cards were introduced at Gathering 2006 to help us communicate better and more effectively. These simple red, yellow, and blue cards have been used successfully in international settings as a means to overcome language barriers in the process of "agreeing together." After using these cards first-hand, conference Executive Director David Wiebe and Willy Reimer, former moderator of the Canadian Conference, introduced them to the executive board, who, in turn, was eager to use them at Gathering 2006.
Using the cards allows everyone to get a sense of the shifting inclinations and mood of the group. Over the course of communication on an issue, more people report feeling heard. Their use at Gathering 2006 introduced a fun element to the decision-making process as well – this feature is especially valuable when discussing controversial or emotionally laden issues.
How the consensus cards work:
Red cards indicate “warmth” - that is, when the red card is shown, the delegate is signifying support for the direction being taken by the comments. Support may be weak or strong; the card merely indicates the inclination toward support.
Blue cards indicate “coolness” - that is, when the blue card is shown, the delegate is signifying opposition to the direction being taken by the comments. Opposition may be weak or strong; the card merely indicates the inclination toward opposition.
The red and blue cards may also be called for in the middle of a discussion as a “straw poll.”
Yellow cards are used for voting and may be shown for support or opposition to a motion. The yellow cards allow for better visibility than a mere “show of hands” do.
Note: the cards we used were 3x4-inch card stock.
Click here to view the PDF.
