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Over the next month, we want to invite you to create space to practice four activations during your primary gathering times. The first will be based on “Overflow,” and the next three will combine “Everyone Plays,” “Vision for Mission,” and “Mission is People” into activations within our Jerusalems, Judea, and Samaria.

We will provide step by step instructions that include some examples and recommendations. Please feel free to adapt as needed, but please preserve the spiritual, practical, and relational intent that is articulated.

For the first two activations, Overflow and Jerusalem, there will be minimal preparation needed. You can review the process and practices ahead of time. Each of these can take place within your main gathering spaces. The second two activations, Judea and Samaria, will involve leaving the gathering spaces. The Judea activation will need minimal preparation, but need to be introduced as well as debriefed afterwards. Samaria will take more preparation.

Because Samaria is the only activation that needs planning ahead of time, we’ve placed it at the end of the month. Have leaders and willing members help plan ahead of time. We understand the more moving parts, the more challenging it is for everything to “go right,” but we find this is an important part of the process. Learn, plan, take action, learn, plan, take action. 

At the end of each Activation we will have a reflection section. We would love to hear about your experience and learn from your community along the way. At Activate International, we want to cross-pollinate as many church activation examples and testimonies as we can! We want to share your stories!

Here is a quick overview of preparation for each activation.

Activating Overflow

• Minimal preparation
• Normal meeting space 
• Think through questions
• Think through breaking into pairs
• 35-60 minutes

Activating Jerusalem

• Minimal preparation
• Normal meeting space
• Think through breaking into groups
• Prepare group facilitators
• 40-60 minutes

Activating Judea

• Medium preparation
• Leaving normal meeting space for different locations
• Prepare clear instructions
• Think through groups and locations
• Plan meal or place to debrief
• 60 minutes

Activating Samaria

• Higher preparation
• Leaving normal meeting space for different locations
• Connect with “persons of peace”
• Plan relational connecting time
• Prepare clear instructions
• Plan debriefing location(s)
• 90+ minutes

✅ Checklist for every Activation: 

1. Use primary gathering times for each activation. 
2. The goal is 100% participation. Focus on simplicity so every person can join. 
3. Have a clear moment to share the vision for eachActivation with everyone before starting. 
4. Give everyone a chance to process or discuss their Activation time immediately afterwards. 
5. Remember that each of these Activation practices is to help start developing deeper relationships in different areas. These are not meant to be one-time experiences. The goal is a mission culture. 
6. Remember relationships are the priority, but often take time. Find the most effective way for your church community to practice activation one step at a time while maintaining a relational focus. 
7. Above all, make sure all activation practices are done in the context of following God’s lead. He is teaching us how to overflow family, think about our Jerusalems, see our Judeas, and care for our Samarias.