During Souly retreat weekends, we try to have both a Table Listener (TL) and an Assistant Table Listener (ATL) at each table for several reasons:

  • We want to have two sets of ears and eyes.
  • We want to engage all the men at the table well and it’s helpful to have two men facilitate.
  • We want to have positions for returning host team men to serve.
  • We want to model for new ATLs the Souly Business way of facilitating without being preaching, fixing or sharing opinions.
  • We want to model a healthy way for you to engage men in groups outside of Souly Business.

In some cases, due to space limitations, we will have only a TL at a table along with a Table Servant, but not ATL.    This is usually not the case.

The TL and ATL share in the role of facilitating at the tables with the TL taking the lead role.    A relationship will form over the weekend with the ATL and TL so that they are “in-tune” with what God is trying to do at the table and with what the men are saying.    This listening, Spirit-led facilitation approach and a partnership with another brother and the Lord are essential to the success of the weekend.

The Assistant Table Listener has a unique role in the ministry as outlined below.

The role of ATL may vary depending on the leadership style of the TL, so this outline of the ATL role is not meant to be exact or be overly prescriptive, but to be a GUIDE for how the roles may work together.  The TL may desire to engage the ATL in leading more of the table discussion, for example, so we want the TL to set the final “tone” of the table.    Again, these notes below are just general guidelines.

Assistant Table Listener Role

Build Relationships

  • We want the ATL to build relationships at the table with the first time brothers; the ATL has a unique opportunity to help create a warm and welcoming environment and be encouraging to the men. The ATL can personally engage men at the table and take a genuine interest in each of the men to help build a safe community; this is especially fruitful when it’s organic and not forced.

 Be Observant

  • Be observant of the men at the table and watch for non-verbal cues to later share with TL.

Pray

  • Prayerfully intercede for the men at the table all weekend; share any insight with the TL that you sense the Lord may be saying to you.

Protect the Souly Process

  • Help insure everyone is back at the table after meals and other times; help keep the table together when moving to the cross area Saturday night.
  • Help protect the quiet times after the talks for journaling; model silence during silence and journaling time.

Facilitate Discussion 

  • Ask questions of the men at the table as you are led by the Lord, but allow the TL to be the primary lead for table discussion, unless he “hands-off” that role to you.
  • Depending on the experience of the ATL, the TL may ask them to facilitate some discussions during the weekend.   It’s important that the ATL see the TL model table facilitation via an approach of listening and asking questions, rather than “fixing”, making general statements or opinions.   In facilitating table discussion, the ATL gains experience in the Spirit-led nature of Souly facilitation.  If needed the TL may later coach the ATL on any facilitation improvements that may be needed.
  • Follow the TLs lead in terms of listening and engaging the table.
  • Help the TL in keeping the overall conversation off politics and social issues and onto how the Lord may be working in one's heart; the ATL can assist the TL in re-directing conversation when it moves from heart to head - when it becomes social conversation or preachy at the table.

Coordinate with TL 

  • The ATL and TL (and Table Servant) should intentionally touch base privately at periodic intervals to share observations about the men at their table. This can lead to designing strategies to better engage, love and support each man throughout the weekend. ATL and TL can also discuss any dysfunction they are observing in table dynamics and develop approaches to address that as well. This leads to a “partnering” approach throughout the weekend to maximize the table experience!

We hope you have a wonderful weekend experience as an ATL.  We are very thankful that you have taken the time to support the Souly Business ministry, to serve others and to grow in your own faith.