Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change (2005) by David L. Cooperrider and Diana Whitney provides an alternative way of fostering change that values truly values the person. The underlying structure of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) involves make affirmative choices that move an organization towards its desired ends. AI summons one to draw on a person's strengths as a means of addressing the area(s) in which a person struggles. In our hyper-praise/hyper-critical culture that often overwhelms a person, AI provides a useful approach for navigating this tension in the church, with youth ministry volunteers, and those hyper-critical people who freely offer their perspective. AI provides some helpful insight and ought to be read and discussed as a group. For more information on AI, go to the AI Portal.
