The Westwood Dawnings Process: Four Areas of Focus
The four areas of focus were developed from discussions on learnings from our four congregational sessions.
Story reflects our desire to more clearly name and share who we are as a church, where we have come from, and how God is at work among us now. This includes telling our story with faithfulness and hope, both within the congregation and beyond it, so that our identity and purpose are rooted in God’s ongoing work rather than nostalgia or assumption.
Connections speaks to our longing to be a more deeply connected and united community. This includes strengthening relationships within the congregation, creating spaces for meaningful belonging, and helping people move from participation to deeper engagement in the life of the church.
Outreach names our call to be intentionally welcoming and attentive to those beyond our walls. This includes how we receive new neighbors, how we practice hospitality, and how we remain prayerful and responsive to the needs and opportunities around us.
Missional reflects our commitment to serve with compassion and purpose, both locally and globally. This includes caring for those in need, partnering with others in meaningful ways, and ensuring that our actions align with our faith and values.
Your Response & Next Steps
The congregation is invited to share thoughts and ideas related to the four areas of focus by January 31 [send to dawnings@westwoodbc.org].
The Dawnings Team will then meet in February to discuss each area of focus individually and will cultivate next steps to address each focus. The conversations will be prayerfully centered around the learnings from the four congregational sessions, as well as feedback from the congregation.
A report will be generated and shared with the congregation soon after that, which will detail each area of focus and the next steps recommended by the Dawnings Team.
The Dawnings Team will then meet in February to discuss each area of focus individually and will cultivate next steps to address each focus. The conversations will be prayerfully centered around the learnings from the four congregational sessions, as well as feedback from the congregation.
A report will be generated and shared with the congregation soon after that, which will detail each area of focus and the next steps recommended by the Dawnings Team.
Key Dates to Note
- May 16-17, 2025 - Dawnings Team Retreat with our Coaches
- June 22-August 3, 2025 - Sermons preached on calling (scroll down for more).
- Congregational Conversations Sessions - Four congregational sessions will take place
- September 7, 4:30pm-6:00pm - Session One
- September 21, 4:30pm-6:00pm - Session Two
- October 19, 4:30pm-6:00pm - Session Three
- November 2, 4:30pm-6:00pm - Session Four
- September 3-October 29 - Wednesday Night Dawnings Bible Study Focus (8 weeks)
- November-December 2025 - Dawnings Team Reviewing Congregational Session Conversations
- January 2026 - The Dawnings Team met to review the congregational conversations and released the initial four areas of focus.
- January 29, 2026 - The congregation is invited to submit ideas and feedback related to the four foci at dawnings@westwoodbc.org.
- February 2026 - The Dawnings Team will meet to discuss each focus separately, incorporating congregational sessions and congregational response.
- March 2026 - The Dawnings Team will present a report to the congregation detailing each focus and tangible next steps to addressing each one.
Dawnings Sermon Series:
Throughout the summer, our pastor preached on calling using the two framing questions of Dawnings: Lord, who are you calling us to be, now? And Lord, what are you calling us to do, now?
June 22, 2025 | Exodus 3:1-12 | You've Got the Wrong Number
Main Idea: God frequently calls those who feel inadequate, but despite their doubt and excuses, He equips and accompanies them to the tasks he assigns.
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12 tells the story of Moses' encounter with God through a burning bush, where he was called to liberate the Israelites from Egypt.
Key Takeaways:
• Moses felt unworthy and ill-equipped for the task, but God reassured him of His presence and equipped him for the mission.
• Fear and self-doubt often lead us to make excuses when God calls us; however, His divine assurance should empower us to answer His call.
• The mission God assigns may appear impossible, but with His presence and guidance, we can fulfil the declared purpose.
• Instead of focusing on our limitations, we should trust that God will equip and use us to accomplish His plans.
Application: Embrace the calls God places on your life, trusting in His ability to equip and guide you, no matter how daunting the task may seem.
Main Idea: God frequently calls those who feel inadequate, but despite their doubt and excuses, He equips and accompanies them to the tasks he assigns.
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12 tells the story of Moses' encounter with God through a burning bush, where he was called to liberate the Israelites from Egypt.
Key Takeaways:
• Moses felt unworthy and ill-equipped for the task, but God reassured him of His presence and equipped him for the mission.
• Fear and self-doubt often lead us to make excuses when God calls us; however, His divine assurance should empower us to answer His call.
• The mission God assigns may appear impossible, but with His presence and guidance, we can fulfil the declared purpose.
• Instead of focusing on our limitations, we should trust that God will equip and use us to accomplish His plans.
Application: Embrace the calls God places on your life, trusting in His ability to equip and guide you, no matter how daunting the task may seem.
July 6, 2025 | Genesis 32:22-33:1 | The Struggle is Real
Main Idea: God's calling often involves wrestling with fear, uncertainty, and transformation, leading us from initial vision, through formation, to active engagement.
Scripture: Genesis 32:22–33:1; as Jacob wrestles with God in the darkness by the Jabbok River, his struggle symbolizes the often challenging journey of discerning God's calling.
Key Takeaways: • Like Jacob who wrestled with God, we too must confront our fears and uncertainties as we discern what God is calling us to do and be, allowing God's presence in the struggle to shape us. • True discernment often begins in a place of darkness, not with immediate clarity, but with trusted companionship with God, embracing the process as we move towards the light. • Like Jacob, we must allow God to form us, letting go of our own desires as we continue moving forward, even when faced with challenges and the prospect of change. • Engaging actively with God's call is crucial; we must resist the urge to go backwards or stay put, but rather, we should pursue what's ahead with faith and courage, knowing we do not journey alone.
Application: As we grapple with God's call, let us boldly engage the journey, allow God to shape us, and have the courage to embrace change and move forward, trusting in His presence and guidance even in the dark times.
Main Idea: God's calling often involves wrestling with fear, uncertainty, and transformation, leading us from initial vision, through formation, to active engagement.
Scripture: Genesis 32:22–33:1; as Jacob wrestles with God in the darkness by the Jabbok River, his struggle symbolizes the often challenging journey of discerning God's calling.
Key Takeaways: • Like Jacob who wrestled with God, we too must confront our fears and uncertainties as we discern what God is calling us to do and be, allowing God's presence in the struggle to shape us. • True discernment often begins in a place of darkness, not with immediate clarity, but with trusted companionship with God, embracing the process as we move towards the light. • Like Jacob, we must allow God to form us, letting go of our own desires as we continue moving forward, even when faced with challenges and the prospect of change. • Engaging actively with God's call is crucial; we must resist the urge to go backwards or stay put, but rather, we should pursue what's ahead with faith and courage, knowing we do not journey alone.
Application: As we grapple with God's call, let us boldly engage the journey, allow God to shape us, and have the courage to embrace change and move forward, trusting in His presence and guidance even in the dark times.
July 20, 2025 | Ruth 1:6-18 | Frozen at a Crossroads
Main Idea: Amidst life's complex choices and uncertainties, we find strength in asking the holy questions: Who is God calling us to be? What is God calling us to do? — and taking the next step in faith and love.
Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18. Amidst tragedy, Ruth chooses to remain with her mother-in-law and follow God, affirming her steadfast faith and love amidst uncertain times.
Key Takeaways: • Uncertainty often compels us to ask who we are and what we're called to do. Like Ruth and Anna from Frozen 2, in periods of grief, we take the next faithful step. • God's grace is often found in hard times. It's not an escape from pain, but God's presence within it, leading us forward even when the path isn't clear. • God's redemptive work expands beyond our boundaries, including outsiders. Ruth, a foreigner, becomes instrumental in the story of salvation. • Amidst loss, God brings hope and grace, weaving even our smallest steps of faith into a larger redemptive story.
Application: When life gets tough, and paths seem unclear, remember to ask the transformative questions Ruth asked, and take your next step in faith. God is with you even in the uncertainty. ‘Do the next right thing’, trusting that God’s steadfast love and grace will guide you. This is how the story of redemption moves forward, and how the good news continues to break in.
Main Idea: Amidst life's complex choices and uncertainties, we find strength in asking the holy questions: Who is God calling us to be? What is God calling us to do? — and taking the next step in faith and love.
Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18. Amidst tragedy, Ruth chooses to remain with her mother-in-law and follow God, affirming her steadfast faith and love amidst uncertain times.
Key Takeaways: • Uncertainty often compels us to ask who we are and what we're called to do. Like Ruth and Anna from Frozen 2, in periods of grief, we take the next faithful step. • God's grace is often found in hard times. It's not an escape from pain, but God's presence within it, leading us forward even when the path isn't clear. • God's redemptive work expands beyond our boundaries, including outsiders. Ruth, a foreigner, becomes instrumental in the story of salvation. • Amidst loss, God brings hope and grace, weaving even our smallest steps of faith into a larger redemptive story.
Application: When life gets tough, and paths seem unclear, remember to ask the transformative questions Ruth asked, and take your next step in faith. God is with you even in the uncertainty. ‘Do the next right thing’, trusting that God’s steadfast love and grace will guide you. This is how the story of redemption moves forward, and how the good news continues to break in.
July 27, 2025 | John 4:4-30 | More Than Meets the Eye
Main Idea: We often try to satisfy our spiritual thirst with substitutes, but Jesus offers the living water that truly quenches the soul’s thirst.
Scripture: The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman from John 4:15-30 shows how only Jesus can provide the living water that satisfies our deep spiritual thirst.
Key Takeaways
• Like the water we need physically, we also need ‘living water’ from Jesus for our spiritual survival.
• The Samaritan woman tried to hide her shameful past, but Jesus still engaged with her, offering her forgiveness and eternal life.
• No matter how we try to hide or avoid facing our needs and failures, Jesus still meets us where we are, offering grace and life.
• The woman came to the well alone, full of shame; she left with a renewed life and a purpose, feeling seen and accepted.
Application: Recognize and accept the spiritual thirst within you and trust that only Jesus, the living water, can truly satisfy. Let yourself be seen by Him, dropping the façade and accepting His love, grace, and truth.
Main Idea: We often try to satisfy our spiritual thirst with substitutes, but Jesus offers the living water that truly quenches the soul’s thirst.
Scripture: The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman from John 4:15-30 shows how only Jesus can provide the living water that satisfies our deep spiritual thirst.
Key Takeaways
• Like the water we need physically, we also need ‘living water’ from Jesus for our spiritual survival.
• The Samaritan woman tried to hide her shameful past, but Jesus still engaged with her, offering her forgiveness and eternal life.
• No matter how we try to hide or avoid facing our needs and failures, Jesus still meets us where we are, offering grace and life.
• The woman came to the well alone, full of shame; she left with a renewed life and a purpose, feeling seen and accepted.
Application: Recognize and accept the spiritual thirst within you and trust that only Jesus, the living water, can truly satisfy. Let yourself be seen by Him, dropping the façade and accepting His love, grace, and truth.
August 3, 2025 | Luke 19:1-10 | A Whee Little Bit of Humility
Main Idea: Embracing humility allows us to encounter Jesus personally and transform our lives through God's grace, similar to how Zacchaeus’ life was changed in the Biblical story from Luke 19:1-10.
Scripture: The sermon centers on Luke 19:1-10, where wealthy tax collector Zacchaeus overcomes social barriers and humbles himself to seek and respond to Jesus' call, leading to a transformative encounter with grace.
Key Takeaways: Like Zacchaeus, we often hide in the branches of our own defenses, observing Jesus from a distance, but reluctant to be close enough for transformation. • The grace of Jesus meets us where we are, in our messiness and shame, and it transforms us, moving us towards justice, generosity, and repair. • Our discomfort can be a holy signal leading us to something greater, urging us to leave our comfort zone and allow ourselves to truly be seen by Jesus. • When grace is bestowed on someone we think undeserving, it challenges us to extend our boundaries of acceptance, reflecting authentic Jesus-like love.
Application: Jesus is still calling us by name, inviting us down from our trees to receive grace. As we encounter Jesus, we should aim for transformation, allowing humility and grace to reshape our lives just as Zacchaeus did.
Main Idea: Embracing humility allows us to encounter Jesus personally and transform our lives through God's grace, similar to how Zacchaeus’ life was changed in the Biblical story from Luke 19:1-10.
Scripture: The sermon centers on Luke 19:1-10, where wealthy tax collector Zacchaeus overcomes social barriers and humbles himself to seek and respond to Jesus' call, leading to a transformative encounter with grace.
Key Takeaways: Like Zacchaeus, we often hide in the branches of our own defenses, observing Jesus from a distance, but reluctant to be close enough for transformation. • The grace of Jesus meets us where we are, in our messiness and shame, and it transforms us, moving us towards justice, generosity, and repair. • Our discomfort can be a holy signal leading us to something greater, urging us to leave our comfort zone and allow ourselves to truly be seen by Jesus. • When grace is bestowed on someone we think undeserving, it challenges us to extend our boundaries of acceptance, reflecting authentic Jesus-like love.
Application: Jesus is still calling us by name, inviting us down from our trees to receive grace. As we encounter Jesus, we should aim for transformation, allowing humility and grace to reshape our lives just as Zacchaeus did.
All Videos in the Series:
August 3, 2025 | A Whee Little Bit of Humility
Aug 3, 2025 • Dr. Lawrence Powers
July 27, 2025 | More Than Meets the Eye
Jul 27, 2025 • Dr. Lawrence Powers
July 20, 2025 | Frozen at A Crossroads
Jul 20, 2025 • Dr. Lawrence Powers
July 6, 2025 | The Struggle is Real
Jul 6, 2025 • Dr. Lawrence Powers
June 22, 2025 | You've Got the Wrong Number
Jun 22, 2025 • Dr. Lawrence Powers
More on the Dawnings Process
As we continue to focus on our 'Onward' theme for 2025, we're going to be exploring what God is 'dawning' at Westwood as we continue toward the place where we're being called through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's program, Dawnings.
Dawnings is a story-based approach to personal and congregational discernment that equips your congregation to discover and fulfill its God-given mission. It all begins with a six-session leadership retreat for our Dawnings team that provides both information and leadership formation to that group that has been chosen by our Church Council. This retreat is led by two Dawnings coaches who have been trained by CBF.
Following the retreat, our team will then share what it learned of the Dawnings approach with the larger congregation through a series of four congregational sessions designed to develop a series of stories that bring focus to individual and congregational calling.
In between the retreat and the congregational sessions, we will be further exploring calling and storytelling through Bible studies and sermons.
Through careful listening and reflection, the leadership team recognizes and responds in ways that lead the congregation toward fulfilling its God-given mission. Ever sensitive to a local church’s context, the materials are adaptable to a congregational setting, situation, and circumstances.
Dawnings is NOT a five-year vision planning process or an exploration of every next step Westwood should take. It is instead a chance to listen to one another, and to God, as we explore our calling toward where God is calling us next.
Any expenses for the materials and coaches are provided by CBF.
Dawnings is a story-based approach to personal and congregational discernment that equips your congregation to discover and fulfill its God-given mission. It all begins with a six-session leadership retreat for our Dawnings team that provides both information and leadership formation to that group that has been chosen by our Church Council. This retreat is led by two Dawnings coaches who have been trained by CBF.
Following the retreat, our team will then share what it learned of the Dawnings approach with the larger congregation through a series of four congregational sessions designed to develop a series of stories that bring focus to individual and congregational calling.
In between the retreat and the congregational sessions, we will be further exploring calling and storytelling through Bible studies and sermons.
Through careful listening and reflection, the leadership team recognizes and responds in ways that lead the congregation toward fulfilling its God-given mission. Ever sensitive to a local church’s context, the materials are adaptable to a congregational setting, situation, and circumstances.
Dawnings is NOT a five-year vision planning process or an exploration of every next step Westwood should take. It is instead a chance to listen to one another, and to God, as we explore our calling toward where God is calling us next.
Any expenses for the materials and coaches are provided by CBF.
Our Dawnings Team
- George Parker
- Tim Cunningham
- Anne Ellison
- Glenn Dion
- Renee Bridges
- Javarris Barnett
- Paula Duke
- Katie Brewer
- Elizabeth Goodson
- Lawrence Powers, Ministerial Staff
- Amanda Allard, Ministerial Staff
Our Dawnings Coaches Are:
- Stephen Cooke - Senior Pastor at Second Baptist Church, Memphis, TN
- Brian Harfst - Equipping Pastor at Centerville Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA