The format and ethos of Dunamis

Dunamis is a training and equipping event - a retreat in order to advance! Each Dunamis Project event takes place over 5 days (usually Wednesday evening to Sunday lunchtime), and there are normally two events each year. It would therefore take two and a half years to complete all six events in a series.

Dunamis is run as an experimental 'workshop' environment where the focus is on learning rather than on teaching. Each event includes several key elements:

• Intercessory prayer cover - both on and off-site.
• Anointed, Spirit-led worship.
• Extensive systematic teaching from Scripture plus testimony from personal experience.
• Discussion and prayer in small groups.
• A flexible approach to the programme, constantly seeking direction from the Holy Spirit.
• 'Lab' times - putting into practice the lessons that are being taught.
• Debriefing - thoughtful critique and evaluation of events and experiences, teaching the process of spiritual discernment.
• Creating a community of trust and mutual accountability.

Manuals

A Dunamis Project Manual is provided for every event. The manuals include expanded outlines of the teaching sessions and are a useful resource in equipping others for ministry in local congregations.

At each retreat the teaching is adapted to suit the circumstances of the participants. Teachers do not work slavishly through the manuals but handle them in flexible manner. Learning best takes place through experience and reflection, and the manuals can always be read through at home.

Transparent accountability

Dunamis leadership teams hold themselves accountable to the participants at every event. There is honesty and vulnerability about personal 'success' and 'failures', and a genuine desire that no-one be guilty of 'manipulation'.

The 'debriefing' sessions play a crucial role in this. They also help create mature discernment towards spiritual activity, rather naive credulity or scepticism.

Gifts, grace and space

Dunamis embraces a full expression of the spiritual gifts for advancing the Kingdom of God. Leadership teams operate on the basis of gifting, and seek to help all participants discover, receive and grow in using whatever gifts the Spirit graciously gives.

Alongside the intensive teaching, Dunamis seeks to give people space to encounter God personally. As well as some free space during the afternoons there may occasionally be breaks in the programme for personal prayer and reflection.