(This is the first of a 7-part series exploring the spiritual discipline of contemplative-action.)
For much of my ministry as a Lutheran I’ve struggled with the concept of spirituality. My experience with Lutheranism tended to center mostly in seeking sound theology and doctrine, both of which are cognitive exercises. This approach was certainly evident in my theological education and how I was taught to function within congregational life. From my experience, being spiritually grounded as a Lutheran basically meant having an orthodox theological foundation.
Over the past couple of decades, I’ve been drawn into the traditions of the mystics who sought connection with the divine and creation through lived experience. The concept of spirituality has shifted for me from the head or thinking center to the heart or feeling center (this is an Enneagram reference that I will unpack in future blogposts). Through much of my life I was suspicious of personal experiences as they often couldn’t be empirically proven to be real or true and threatened to draw me into a singular, subjective faith.
However, the more that I have leaned into contemplative practices that aid in evolving my awareness of God, self, creation, and our shared humanity, the more I have been drawn closer to God experientially and have been able to open myself to what I call “nudges from the Spirit” that play out in my role as a congregational leader.
“The fundamental mindset shift is that instead of creating congregational programs and praying for God to bless them, we take time to discern what God is already doing in our midst and then make an intentional decision to participate in God’s activity.”
Elaine Heath (a Methodist theologian and former Dean of Duke Divinity School) has taught me a four-step process for contemplative-action that I have found to be very helpful:
- Being present to self and context
- Discerning God’s activity in my life, community, and in the world
- Making an intentional decision to participate in God’s activity
- Surrendering all outcomes to God
Over the next few weeks we’ll be unpacking each of these steps. The fundamental mindset shift is that instead of creating congregational programs and praying for God to bless them, we take time to discern what God is already doing in our midst and then make an intentional decision to participate in God’s activity. This process could be used corporately to generate vision and direction for Christ’ mission within the congregation. It can also be used individually to generate a focus for serving God’s mission through our personal and/or family lives.
What sorts of tools do you use to engage people in their spiritual journeys? Do you encourage people to be aware of and to experience how God is showing up in their daily lives? Do you utilize any forms of media to share people’s spiritual stories? How do your ministries help people to hear and heed the Spirit’s “nudges” so that they can align their lives accordingly? We encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments below, or in a forum on our website (https://illumin8collective.com/forums/).
God bless you!
Rev. Doug Hill
