Forming Storming Norming Performing a way to consider it

December 2017

L. has told you, briefly, about the Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing stages of group development that were recognized, studied and outlined by Bruce Tuckman.  In the scriptures you can find true principles that describe and can be applied to those stages in enlightening ways.

Forming: Starting out with new responsibilities

Matthew 4:17-23 

 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

They were called to new responsibilities.  I am sure their question was “How do we become fishers of men?”   What do you ask and what do you do when you are set apart for a new calling? 

This is a stage when you are focused on job description, personal responsibilities and personal performance.  “How am I doing?” This is normal.  There's a lot of  “What are the tasks” stuff that is going on.  Members of the group are on their best behavior but focused on themselves and their own behavior.  They tend to work independently.  Their discussions are about how to do the task.

Storming  (Only 50% of groups do this)  “We are different!  My ideas are better!” 

Luke 9:1-2, 46 

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

Storming involves:

Not being OK with differences of style and opinion, even though differences are part of God's plan

Romans 6:4-6

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,

Failing to have patience with each other

Romans 6:10

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Judging each other and failing to love each other  (Failing to live the Sermon on the Mount: pretty much all of Matthew 5, 6 and 7)

If the members of the group do not develop tolerance and patience about differences among themselves the group will fail. To get through this stage you must cease to judge and find fault with each other, cease to assume that your ideas are best and also learn to recognize and actually appreciate the gifts of the others in the group that are very different from your own

Norming  We understand our job description.  We stop judging each other.  We stop being annoyed, bothered or threatened by each other's differences.  Both feel free to express ideas.  Both listen (to each other and to the Holy Spirit).  Not worried or frustrated when ideas are different but willing to work through those differences and negotiate and listen to each other to try to find ways to make things work. The work becomes more cooperative and therefore more peaceful, focused and easier to accomplish. This is part of the Christlike attribute of meekness.

Matthew 11:29-30

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We share a common goal and have a sense of responsibility.  We tolerate each other's differences and accept each other as we are.  We have learned how to create an environment where all feel free to express ideas and, though it is sometimes challenging to take the time to resolve different opinions, we are not angry, or worried when ideas are different.  We have learned how to share the work and coordinate with each other without frustration.  We work together to accomplish the tasks at hand.

Performing  We not only understand our job description and the work we are called to do, and have a common goal and a sense of responsibility and listen to and do not judge each other, but we are also motivated by a shared motivation, and we also know how to make decisions together because dissent is expected and handled in ways that create inclusion instead of exclusion or negotiation.

So, in this work, here, right now, which is Jesus' work,  what is the motivation of a disciple of Jesus? 

John 13:34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Note: this is not motivation due to your thinking the same thing, or always agreeing or even having the exact same vision.  It is love for each other, the Lord, and your fellow men.

What have some of the apostles and prophets written or said as they described  and encouraged living and working at this stage where the motivation, love, is shared and differing ideas are handled with inclusion instead of exclusion?

Philippians 2:3-5   Esteem each other, consider and respond helpfully each other's needs

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 John 4:19   How to foster love in a companionship?

We love him, because he first loved us.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:122   Listen in order to learn from each other and include each other’s insights rather listening in order to be able to explain your own ideas better in hopes that you can be better understood.

...let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all,

Moroni 7:48  How to become more loving?  It is a divine gift.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;

Remember and prioritize and act upon what is most important

“Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved.”  ~Thomas Monson,  (quoting Barbara Johnson)  “Finding Joy in the Journey”  October 2008

Love drives this mission.

Please also note:  No group or companionship stays always in the performing stage.  New challenges and responsibilities and situations will require doing forming and norming as those new challenges and responsibilities are learned about and responded to.  So it is foolish to despair if you are not always in the performing stage.  Forming and norming are part of learning and enlightenment, and learning and enlightenment are essential elements of  God's plan for us in this life.  The key is to go through those stages with love and hope and faith.