“Do not ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman
Sponsored by a grant from the Forum for Theological Exploration, ALIVE is a toolkit of resources for communities to “Accompany Leaders In Vocational Exploration.” It draws on the work of the Vocation and Formation program at Trinity Lutheran College in Everett, WA which prototyped the curriculum and training resources over a 5 year period with a community that was multi-generational, multi-racial, and multi-religious (including non-religious).
The core curriculum is currently being revised and will include a Christian and a non-religious version. We are currently beta-testing the curriculum in a variety of contexts, training leaders to adapt and implement the toolkit for use in their community. Contact us for more information or if you are interested in applying to be a beta-test site.
The 1.1 version of the “Core Practices” was designed for a Christian retreat environment. Version 1.2 for Christian communities is here. Version 1.2 for multi-cultural communities is here. These were developed under the previous “VocationCARE” title. An adapted version will be part of the ALIVE toolkit as well.
ALIVE Resources are released under the “Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License” which means you are free to use and adapt them to your context, provided you leave the attribution information and website link attached. We only ask that you don’t publish, sell, or try to make money off of any work you do with these resources. And please let us know how you are using them and any suggestions you have for improvements. To obtain permission for any other use, or to arrange for coaching, consulting, or training on these practices, please contact us.
Elements of the ALIVE Toolkit:
Links are provided to currently available resources, unlinked are under development:
- ALIVE Toolkit Leaders Edition
- ALIVE Toolkit Workbook
- ALIVE Training Manual
- ALIVE Toolkit
- Foundational Practices:
- Key Practices:
- Centering Prayer
- Dwelling in the Word
- Language of Vocation
- Stories of Vocation/Tattoos on the Heart
- Stories of Discernment/Let Your Life Speak
- Reflect and Connect/Theological Reflection
- Discerning Gifts
- Clearness Circle (Discernment Practice)
- Listening to the Story of Jesus
- Journaling/Reflective Writing
- Mentoring Relationships
- Self-Awareness (Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Spiritual Types, Archetypes, Enneagram, Art: Masks)
- Library of Practices:
- Lectio Divina
- Examen
- Action-Reflection
- Human Centered Design Towards Action
- Embodied Discernment (Theater of the Oppressed–Human Statue, Play)
- Christian Communal Worship
- Liturgical/Hymnody/Hours
- Psalmody
- Praise
- Taizé
- Eastern Orthodox
- Historically Black/Gospel
- Interactive/Experimental/Station-Based
- Labyrinth
- Service Learning
- Guided Meditation/Walk into the Future
- Encountering Eastern Christian Practices (Monastery Immersion Retreat)
- Contemplative Prayer
- Intercessory Prayer
- Jesus Prayer
- Prayer Beads/Rope
- Praying in Color
- Nature Spirituality
- Individual Guided Vocational Discernment
- Spiritual Accountability and Accompaniment