4. Planning Meetings/Retreats
Though planning meetings do not happen with the frequency of the other groups that we have been talking about, they still are occasions for the work of the Spirit. Besides the creative openings and closings that have been suggested, the planning meeting can be done in the spirit of discernment. The goal for the planning is to discern God’s direction for each part of the church’s ministry. What is God calling us to do in education? in mission? in evangelism? in service? in worship?
One way for this kind of contemplative planning to take place is to use guided imagery. If you are focusing on evangelism, for example, a guided prayer could invite people to relax, close their eyes, and imagine a city or town square where a lot of people gather. Imagine yourself sitting on a park bench observing people. You notice that Jesus is coming to sit with you and you feel comforted by his presence. You begin to talk about reaching out to people with the good news of God’s love, and you share your ideas and you listen as Jesus shares his concerns. You close by asking Jesus to give you courage and wisdom to witness to those in the community. You receive his blessing. A whole group that is led through such a guided imaging experience now has not only ideas for evangelism but ideas that have been shaped in the depths of prayer. Such a contemplative planning process can add immensely to the listing of problems and possibilities on newsprint that most churches go through in their planning process.
Other prayer experiences can be designed to lead into the planning process. The Quakers use extended times of silence. Many Native Americans use a council-style discussion where everyone is encouraged to speak spontaneously from the heart when they are holding the talking stick (or in Christian circles, a chalice). Such a process insures that each person does more listening than speaking. Other groups have used pictures of nature or children to elicit prayers and thoughts on personal experiences or on subjects that are to be discussed.
Contemplative planning strives to have ideas and plans emerge from the richness of prayer. Explore guided imagery and other prayer experiences as part of the planning process for the church.
Heart and Soul: a guide for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church
Larry J. Peacock, Upper Room Books
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
LEVENING YOUR CHURCH MEETINGS-Part 3
3. Action/Service Groups
The Soup Kitchen Committee, the volunteers who maintain the thrift shop, the Peace and Justice Committee, the Senior Citizens Housing Task Force, and the Nursery School Board are examples of a third kind of group that can have the leavening dough of spiritual formation.
The opening time is vitally important for these groups that are engaged in meeting the needs of “the least of these” and in addressing difficult and complex issues. It is hard to sustain commitment in the face of persistent evil and slow-moving bureaucracies. Prayers for strength and guidance are always appropriate. Reflections on God’s compassion (Micah 6:8, for example) provide the basis for ongoing commitment. Songs about God’s promises of shalom and justice can lift the heart. Jim and Jean Strathdee’s music could encourage many groups.
Periodically a group will want to spend time sharing responses to these kinds of questions: What are the joys and struggles of our call to serve? What new challenges is God giving to us? What scripture has given you strength as you carry out your mission? How do you see Jesus walking with us? Where did you see the winds of the Spirit blowing?
Care for the members of action groups is an important part of spiritual nurture. It may be useful to plan retreats and social gatherings to provide space for the healing rivers to flow back into active lives. The section on options will give many suggestions that will be useful for nourishing the members of action groups.
Heart and Soul: a guide for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church
Larry J. Peacock, Upper Room Books
The Soup Kitchen Committee, the volunteers who maintain the thrift shop, the Peace and Justice Committee, the Senior Citizens Housing Task Force, and the Nursery School Board are examples of a third kind of group that can have the leavening dough of spiritual formation.
The opening time is vitally important for these groups that are engaged in meeting the needs of “the least of these” and in addressing difficult and complex issues. It is hard to sustain commitment in the face of persistent evil and slow-moving bureaucracies. Prayers for strength and guidance are always appropriate. Reflections on God’s compassion (Micah 6:8, for example) provide the basis for ongoing commitment. Songs about God’s promises of shalom and justice can lift the heart. Jim and Jean Strathdee’s music could encourage many groups.
Periodically a group will want to spend time sharing responses to these kinds of questions: What are the joys and struggles of our call to serve? What new challenges is God giving to us? What scripture has given you strength as you carry out your mission? How do you see Jesus walking with us? Where did you see the winds of the Spirit blowing?
Care for the members of action groups is an important part of spiritual nurture. It may be useful to plan retreats and social gatherings to provide space for the healing rivers to flow back into active lives. The section on options will give many suggestions that will be useful for nourishing the members of action groups.
Heart and Soul: a guide for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church
Larry J. Peacock, Upper Room Books
Friday, September 18, 2009
LEVENING YOUR CHURCH MEETINGS-Part 2
2. Study/Fellowship Groups
Sunday school classes, Bible studies, book discussions, youth and adult classes all have their focus on learning and maturing in the Christian faith. But often in study groups our emphasis is on information, mastering ideas or concepts, analyzing and dissecting. We try to figure out what each “jot and tittle” means. That kind of approach has value, but we have neglected the slow, thoughtful prayer dialogue that focuses on formation rather than information. This approach is grounded in the faith that behind the words we study there is always a Word to encounter. We study not just for information but for insight—and the truth transforms us.
In study classes then, we ask more than the who, what, when, and where questions. We can ask: How am I like the prodigal son? When do I feel like the bent-over woman? We can hear Jesus ask us, “What are you looking for?” and “Who do you say that I am?” We can place ourselves with Esther and Daniel and discover our faith in times of difficulty.
Heart and Soul: a guide for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church
Larry J. Peacock Upper Room Books
Many sections of scripture have been put to music and can deepen our reflection on the passage. Listening to Handel’s Messiah allows portions of Isaiah to echo in our minds and hearts. The new United Methodist Hymnal contains many antiphons for the Psalms. These musical lines can add a new dimension to our study.
Writing can be a useful tool in study groups. The members can be asked to write a prayer of thanksgiving, a psalm of lament, or a prayer from a Bible character’s point of view. The members can journal or dialogue with one of the characters or with Jesus. Or members can draw their response to entering into the passage. In studying to be formed into the life of Christ, artistic expression (writing, drawing, painting, working with clay, dancing) can open new windows.
The vital feature of this discipline is not what one studies but how one studies. We read and study not just with the mind but also with the heart. Included at the end of this chapter is a format for this kind of meditative Bible study. This model can be adapted for a variety of kinds of study groups.
Sunday school classes, Bible studies, book discussions, youth and adult classes all have their focus on learning and maturing in the Christian faith. But often in study groups our emphasis is on information, mastering ideas or concepts, analyzing and dissecting. We try to figure out what each “jot and tittle” means. That kind of approach has value, but we have neglected the slow, thoughtful prayer dialogue that focuses on formation rather than information. This approach is grounded in the faith that behind the words we study there is always a Word to encounter. We study not just for information but for insight—and the truth transforms us.
In study classes then, we ask more than the who, what, when, and where questions. We can ask: How am I like the prodigal son? When do I feel like the bent-over woman? We can hear Jesus ask us, “What are you looking for?” and “Who do you say that I am?” We can place ourselves with Esther and Daniel and discover our faith in times of difficulty.
Heart and Soul: a guide for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church
Larry J. Peacock Upper Room Books
Many sections of scripture have been put to music and can deepen our reflection on the passage. Listening to Handel’s Messiah allows portions of Isaiah to echo in our minds and hearts. The new United Methodist Hymnal contains many antiphons for the Psalms. These musical lines can add a new dimension to our study.
Writing can be a useful tool in study groups. The members can be asked to write a prayer of thanksgiving, a psalm of lament, or a prayer from a Bible character’s point of view. The members can journal or dialogue with one of the characters or with Jesus. Or members can draw their response to entering into the passage. In studying to be formed into the life of Christ, artistic expression (writing, drawing, painting, working with clay, dancing) can open new windows.
The vital feature of this discipline is not what one studies but how one studies. We read and study not just with the mind but also with the heart. Included at the end of this chapter is a format for this kind of meditative Bible study. This model can be adapted for a variety of kinds of study groups.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
LEAVENING YOUR CHURCH MEETINGS-Part 1
1. Administrative/Business Meetings
Many meetings in a church focus on institutional concerns—building maintenance and improvement, job descriptions and hiring decisions, budget line items and stewardship campaigns, recruiting teachers and leaders. Wherever two or three gather in Christ’s name, Christ is present. In the midst of conducting business we can have our eyes open to see the Spirit at work through bricks and mortar, dollar signs and newsprint agendas.
Though opening meetings with prayer can become perfunctory, the opening time can become an opportunity for spiritual nurture. questions can be asked instead of or in addition to prayer. What is the will of God for this group? What gift of today do you bring to this meeting? What people will feel the tender grace of God by our actions in this committee? A time of extended silence is a good way to settle in and make the transition from being scattered to being gathered. Leaders who open the meeting with prayer might try writing their prayers instead praying spontaneously; those who write out their prayers ahead of time might try spontaneous prayers.
Think of other ways you might transform the opening time into a moment of experiencing God’s tender and supporting grace. You could invite members of the committee to prepare a short reflection on scripture. Find a song or chorus that ushers the committee into God’s presence and into a spirit of openness. Look with fresh eyes at the opening.
During the meeting, time for silence or prayer may be appropriate—not to squelch discussions or disagreements but to open group members to the ways of God, who is always working for love in any situation. I can still recall the profound silence and prayer before important votes at many General Conferences. Especially when we seem at a “stuck” point in a committee, silence and prayer can give space for a new-dawning insight.
The close of the meeting is also a time for nurture. You might ask, “How has God been present in our decisions? What signs of joy and hope did you experience?” The close of a meeting is a good time for gratitude-thanking the members for their faithful contributions. When meetings are held in the evening, the closing can be a time for blessing prayer. “Blessed are you, Loving God, for you hold us with tender care and watch over us as we rest.” Again, singing can be a way of closing and sending forth into the world.
Heart and Soul: a guide for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church
Larry J. Peacock Upper Room Books
Many meetings in a church focus on institutional concerns—building maintenance and improvement, job descriptions and hiring decisions, budget line items and stewardship campaigns, recruiting teachers and leaders. Wherever two or three gather in Christ’s name, Christ is present. In the midst of conducting business we can have our eyes open to see the Spirit at work through bricks and mortar, dollar signs and newsprint agendas.
Though opening meetings with prayer can become perfunctory, the opening time can become an opportunity for spiritual nurture. questions can be asked instead of or in addition to prayer. What is the will of God for this group? What gift of today do you bring to this meeting? What people will feel the tender grace of God by our actions in this committee? A time of extended silence is a good way to settle in and make the transition from being scattered to being gathered. Leaders who open the meeting with prayer might try writing their prayers instead praying spontaneously; those who write out their prayers ahead of time might try spontaneous prayers.
Think of other ways you might transform the opening time into a moment of experiencing God’s tender and supporting grace. You could invite members of the committee to prepare a short reflection on scripture. Find a song or chorus that ushers the committee into God’s presence and into a spirit of openness. Look with fresh eyes at the opening.
During the meeting, time for silence or prayer may be appropriate—not to squelch discussions or disagreements but to open group members to the ways of God, who is always working for love in any situation. I can still recall the profound silence and prayer before important votes at many General Conferences. Especially when we seem at a “stuck” point in a committee, silence and prayer can give space for a new-dawning insight.
The close of the meeting is also a time for nurture. You might ask, “How has God been present in our decisions? What signs of joy and hope did you experience?” The close of a meeting is a good time for gratitude-thanking the members for their faithful contributions. When meetings are held in the evening, the closing can be a time for blessing prayer. “Blessed are you, Loving God, for you hold us with tender care and watch over us as we rest.” Again, singing can be a way of closing and sending forth into the world.
Heart and Soul: a guide for Spiritual Formation in the Local Church
Larry J. Peacock Upper Room Books
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Gift of Disagreement
Disagreement is a gift. It alerts us to something wonderful waiting to be uncovered, telling us it's time to dive deeper.
--Rabbi Irwin Kula, Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life
--Rabbi Irwin Kula, Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life
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