Appreciative     Inquiry The Appreciative Way Appreciative Inquiry AI-Philosophy AI-Theology AI-FAQ AI-Tips AI-Church E-List AI in Business AI-Literature AI-Links AI-Resources AI-Training AI-Coaching AI-Consulting	Appreciative Inquiry Appreciative Inquiry is based on the idea of discovering what works and gives life to an organization and building the organization on these life giving properties.  David Cooperrider, the founder or Appreciative Inquiry describes it this way:   "More than a method or technique, the appreciative mode of inquiry is a means of living with, being with and directly participating in the life of a human system in a way that compels one to inquire into the deeper life-generating essentials and potentials of organizational existence." David Cooperrider   In using AI in churches we describe it as discovering "What in God's name is going on here" and then designing the church structure and programs to enable more of these Godly things to be done and participated in.

Appreciative Inquiry 5D Spiral of Development

Appreciative Inquiry is an iterative, generative, process that uses collaborative inquiry and strategic visioning to unleash the positive energy within the Church to enable Christ's work to be done in the World.

The AI 5D Model

The Five Phases of the Appreciative Process 1: Define: Awareness of the need for development. Preparing for an appreciative process. Committing to the Positive 2: Discover: What in God's name is going on in your church? Interview process and gathering of life-giving experience      within congregation. Valuing the Best of What Is 3: Dream: What is God and the community calling us to be? What would our church look like in 5 years time? Developing common images of the future. Visioning the Ideal 4: Design: Aligning ideals, values, structures and mission Developing achievable plans and steps to      make the vision a reality. Dialoguing What Should Be 5: Deliver: Doing Christ's Work in the World. Co-creating a sustainable, preferred future. Who, What, When, Where, How? Innovating What Will Be.

The basic process is typically referred to as the 5D model of development as described above. Earlier literature also refers to a 4D model which did not include the "Define" phase as part of the process.
Other Models have included 4Is: Initiate, Inquire, Imagine and Innovate.

In essence the AI model uses a process of inquiry to discover people's best experience and use these experiences as a basis for imagining a future and designing the processes and structures that will make the imagined future a reality. This imagined future however is not just a fantasy because it is grounded in the experiences of the people involved.

What is noteworthy about the AI approach in comparison to other organizational development models is that it doesn't require a detailed analysis of problems or deficits. Consequently AI is less prone to initiating negative, blaming and judgmental atmospheres than problem focussed interventions. See the AI Philosophy and AI FAQs for more information on these differences.

A one page handout of the 5D model for churches and another for business for introducing AI to others is available in ".pdf" format at the AI-Resources page.

Appreciative Inquiry Training Programs

The Clergy Leadership Institute provides a wide variety of coaching and training programs and services based on Appreciative Inquiry. For more details please see: Training Programs or Appreciative Coaching.

The Appreciative Way

More than a process for organizational development the appreciative inquiry approach can provide a basis for living and being in the world. The Appreciative Way, is Rob and Kim Voyle's synthesis of:

• The practice and philosophy of Appreciative Inquiry
• The work of Milton Erickson and his students
• Compassion as the agent of transformation

See The Appreciative Wayfor more details.