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Cultivating Individual and Group
Spiritual Practices

by DICK YOUNG 

In a way, pastors and congregational leaders are leaders of pilgrims on a journey. John Bunyan in The Pilgrim’s Progress writes about a pilgrim, named Christian, who leaves his “city of destruction.” He is guided to go toward the light and to keep the light in his eyes and walk toward it. In essence, a spiritual practice is keeping the light in one’s eye and walking toward it.

All pastors and congregational leaders of Christ’s mission are to have their leadership shaped by God’s Spirit. Why? This is the way of Christ who cultivated individual and group practices to create communion with the God he loved and served. Through spiritual practice pastors and leaders open their hearts and minds to the heart and mind of Christ. And when they lead the congregation in group spiritual practices they create opportunities for people to sense God’s presence and will. Deepening the congregation’s spiritual life and practice allows God to shape the congregation as prophetic people of Christ’s peace.

When pastors and their congregations adopt the way of Christ, they enter the sacred rhythms that shaped Jesus into the embodiment of God’s shalom. These rhythms take the congregation into the inseparably connected dimensions of Christ’s mission embodied in the life of Jesus Christ. His active life of proclamation, healing, and peacemaking was seamlessly interwoven with his receptive life of prayer, discernment, and spiritual attentiveness.

Jesus went inward so he could go outward. For Jesus these did not seem to be separate movements or actions. The interior movement to encounter the Holy Spirit and explore the geography of one’s inner being is as essential and demanding as the mission that impels going out to the urban and village landscapes of humanity. The two movements feed and inform each other rather than compete with or contradict each other.

Mission done in the manner of Jesus is grounded in spiritual intimacy and passionate obedience to God’s restorative action in the world.

The mission inward for spiritual work and grounding was a central part of Jesus’ life. It was the anchoring point to which he returned in the middle of compassionate service and transformative action. Jesus’ journey into solitary places to meet the Divine was his spiritual touchstone for mission outward. He depended on God’s Spirit to shape his way of being in the world, anoint him for ministry, fill and bless him when he was weary, give him direction and courage, and heal his grief in times of loss.     

Jesus was intentional about creating spaces for God through prayer, meditation, silence, and solitude. He was also intentional about physical acts of service and generosity, focused acts of teaching and mentoring, outward acts of compassion and healing, communal acts of relationship and spiritual friendship. In Jesus we find the inner–outer balance of a life integrated around identity in God.

Spiritual Practices

A spiritual practice includes any activity that cultivates…“being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others” (M. Robert Mulholland Jr., Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation, rev. ed. [Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2001]). Spiritual practices shift one’s center to God and open people to the healing, transforming, and empowering influence of the Holy Spirit.

It is important that pastors and leaders understand that all spiritual practices will not appeal to everyone. Care must be exercised to resist the idea that “my” favorite practice should be used by everyone else.

Pastors and leaders do well to help people learn, explore, and experiment with various spiritual practices, remembering that sometimes what seems at first unproductive and unappealing may turn out to be meaningful and challenging. Of course, pastors and leaders can only lead people effectively in this matter if they themselves are in the process of learning.

Pastors and congregational leaders should model spiritual practices and discernment in ministry and mission. There are a variety of ways to do so, including the following.

• Learn about spiritual formation and become familiar with core spiritual principles and disciplines. Reviewing this article and the accompanying practices can help.
• Engage in regular personal spiritual practices and patterns (prayer, scripture reading, and meditation are a few examples).
• Set a daily time and place for solitude and spiritual “work” like Jesus did.
• Explore what nourishes your spirit and experiment with practices that nurture and stretch. (See the practices section for suggestions.)
• Schedule special times for spiritual renewal meaningful for you, such as a spiritual retreat in a quiet place in nature or a retreat center.
• Consider meeting with a spiritual director or an evangelist to discuss your own spiritual journey.
• Frame meetings of the pastor’s leadership team with spiritual practices centering on God’s presence and purposes.
• Invite different team members to lead spiritual practice(s) each time the team meets.
  • Schedule this as an important part of the meeting, as opposed to being an “add on.” This means that you’re allowing at least 10–15 minutes for spiritual practice together. This time may come at the beginning, closing, or central part of the meeting.
• Use a variety of spiritual practices to meet the diverse needs of members. During meetings, stop for periods of prayer, receptive listening, or allot other discernment time as appropriate (especially when discussing weighty matters or times in which the group gets “stuck”).
• Work with the pastor’s leadership team to develop a plan for the team’s spiritual formation and group practice. For instance:
  • Talk about the importance of the above team practices.
  • Consider meeting as a covenant discipleship group for spiritual practice, discernment, and disciple formation.
  • Consider periodic group spiritual direction for the team (with a trained spiritual director).
  • Invite a trusted evangelist to serve as a team member.

Pastors and leadership teams do well to discern and implement a plan for holistic disciple formation in the congregation, based on Christ’s integrated rhythms of “mission in” (spiritual practice and discernment) and “mission out” (proclamation, compassionate action, and peacemaking). The following are a few ways to do this.

• Designate a period of time for the congregation to focus their prayers (both personal and when together) on the spiritual needs of the congregation. At the end of that period (several days or a few weeks), invite the congregation to share reflections and insights.
• Create opportunities for congregational conversation and learning on topics such as: spirituality and its relationship with mission, the spirituality of Jesus, spiritual needs and questions, spiritual practices and discernment, and spiritual formation resources.
• Using the resources in the Exploring Mission section of this field guide, use spiritual practices to help the congregation “discern” its mission.
• Consider selecting a congregational “spiritual formation minister” or “spiritual formation advocate” who will keep track and share resources on spiritual formation that are found on the church’s website.
• Consider an annual spiritual retreat for the congregation to deepen spirituality, engage in discernment of God’s call, and be encountered by the Holy.
• Consider developing covenant discipleship groups, scripture study groups, and other discipleship deepening groups led by persons who have been trained to lead them.
• Consider incorporating a spiritual practice in the weekly worship experience of the congregation. (See the practices following this article or the church website for ideas.)

Cultivating Spiritual Practices Moves the Congregation Forward in Mission

Paying attention to spiritual formation practices is essential for mission. Consequently, leaders do well to read this article alongside of the articles in the Exploring Mission section of this field guide. A measure of how the congregation’s spiritual journey is progressing is to consider whether the “fruits of the Spirit” are becoming more apparent as expressed in The Message:

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. —Galatians 5:22–23

 

Pastors and leaders need to be aware of what nourishes their own spirits. It is good to ask “What feeds my soul?” It is equally good to ask ourselves how we are doing in our personal spiritual practice and what we can do to become more centered in Christ. Sometimes, engaging in known spiritual practices is just what we need. At other times, trying something new may open us to new possibilities and blessings.

Many times leadership team meetings are consumed with planning, discussing, and troubleshooting congregational programs, budgets, administrative matters, and other logistical details. Sometimes, actual discussion about our relationship with Christ does not get much time. Wise pastors and leaders will ask: “How can the pastor’s leadership team become more grounded in spiritual practices in order to discern more clearly God’s presence and guidance?”

Ultimately, the pastor’s leadership team is called to help people grow in the image of Christ. It is good for pastors and leaders to ask: “Are we helping the congregation to learn and sustain spiritual practices that will help them deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ?”

These are important questions. The following practices can help.

		Lectio Divina
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OBJECTIVE
To let scripture soak deeply into us as we interact with a particular passage or story. To help persons listen prayerfully for what God wants to say to us through scripture. (Lectio divina is a Latin term for sacred reading.)

PROCESS

1. Select a passage of scripture. Scripture stories may be especially helpful as people are learning this exercise.
2. Invite the group to sit quietly and enter a time of prayerful reflection. Breathe calmly, relax your body, and offer a prayer for guidance as you interact with the selected scriptural text.
3. If in a group, briefly describe the four ways in which the scripture will be read and reflected on. Don’t worry about the Latin words—they are there simply to help us talk about the four ways of experiencing the scripture.
4. Read the scripture four different times, allowing time for meditation and prayer between each reading. Before each reading, remind the group of instructions for praying with the scripture through lectio, meditatio, oratio, or contemplatio, as you proceed.
   • Lectio—read the passage to get a sense of the story. Who are the characters, what is the setting? Imagine the scene, the sights, sounds, smells, emotions, and tensions involved in the story. Enter the scene and allow it to become real to you.
   • Meditatio—read the scripture again but this time for meaning and understanding. Ask questions. Why was this story recorded? What are the surface and underlying meanings? What does this story tell me about God? If I were in the story, who would I be? Whom do I most relate to in the story?
   • Oratorio—read the passage again, and this time pay attention to your emotional responses. What feelings surface as I read this scripture? Do I feel joy, sorrow, fear, anger, or guilt? Share your feelings with God in prayer. Ask for help in listening deeply to these emotions and meanings.
   • Contemplatio—enter a time of receptive prayer. Let go of the images from the scripture and all other thoughts, interpretations, and worries. Breathe deeply and calmly, entering a profound silent state of listening. Wait for whatever God may bring to you in the quietness. If any insights or impressions come, note them with gratitude and then return to receptive listening. If no particular awareness comes, let your mind return to the scripture passage. When you feel your prayer and meditation has ended, offer a word of thanks to God, open your eyes, and return to the room around you.

		The Prayer of Examen
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OBJECTIVE
To help persons review the day with God with the intent of examining our need for forgiveness and healing, reconciliation and recommitment. To help persons pay attention to the characteristics and quality of their lives as followers of Jesus.

PROCESS
This prayer form was developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) as part of his work on “spiritual exercises.” It is often used as a prayer to end the day but may be used any time.

1. Read scripture reflections such as Psalm 139:1–3, 7 and Psalm 51:10–12, 15–17.
2. Review the process for the Prayer of Examen in its entirety (see number three below) to become familiar (or to familiarize a group) with the process. Then, begin the process of the prayer.
3. The Prayer of Examen —adapted from Marvin Rice, “Open Our Eyes,” Healing the Body of Christ (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 2003).
   • First, I come before God in humble prayer. I am thankful for God’s Spirit and for all God does for me and for all people. I gently enter into this time of prayer with God.
   • Second, after asking for God’s enlightenment, I review my day. Where do I recognize God’s presence? Where was God’s Spirit touching me or someone else? In my thoughts and actions, when was I the most Christ-like? When did I fall short?
   • Third, I trust and receive God’s grace, forgiveness, and healing for any actions that may have been uncaring or harmful to other people, creation, or myself.
   • Fourth, I look forward to tomorrow, with a decision to be more conscious of all of my thoughts, words, and actions. I determine to be more aware of God’s presence living within me and to act and respond as the Lord Jesus would.
   • Fifth, I gently exit this prayer time by thanking God for this experience with God in remembrance, in gratitude for the gift of this day, and in determination that I will be more conscious of God’s presence tomorrow.
4. Spend time reflecting on the events, interactions, and emotions of the day.
5. Ask for insight into the ways your responses were good, life-giving, or healing. Ask for insight into the ways your responses may have been insensitive, unloving, or damaging to others, creation, or self.
6. Pray for forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and release.
7. Offer God the next day. Ask God to be present in your thoughts, actions, and relationships as you move on to live a new day more fully alive to the presence of Christ.
8. Close the Prayer of Examen with a brief benediction and invite individuals (if done in a group setting) to draw their attention back to the group.

		Reading and Writing Psalms
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OBJECTIVE
To help people prayerfully express their deepest thoughts and feelings by modeling the Psalms.

PROCESS
The Psalms express human emotions of joy, praise, anger, fear, grief, and love. Select a Psalm to read. Offer a prayer for guidance and read the Psalm slowly two or three times. What images or insights come as you read? What kind of Psalm is this: a psalm of peace and joy or lament and anger? Is it both?

What Psalm fits for you today? Write a short psalm in your journal or on a piece of paper. Create an honest “psalm prayer” expressing the emotions you are feeling today. Offer your psalm to God in trust and hope.

		Encounter Scripture as Continuing Revelation
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OBJECTIVE
To help people open themselves to God’s presence and guidance through prayerful attention to scripture.

PROCESS
Read and pray with the Doctrine and Covenants as continuing revelation of God’s vision for the church and creation. Choose a favorite section or focus on more recent counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 161–164.

Read a few selected paragraphs from one section, slowly three or four times.

1. Pause to pray for deep understanding of meaning after the first reading.
2. Pray for opening your heart and emotions to the text after the second reading.
3. After the third reading, prayerfully ask to hear the particular phrase or word that speaks to you or touches your life. Stay with this word or phrase. Listen to it as fully and openly as you can. What sense of divine presence or invitation comes? What do you sense being revealed?
4. Offer a prayer of thanks. Write insights in your journal.

—Disciple Formation Guide, www.CofChrist.org/dfg/ad_revelation.asp#personal

		Walking in Nature
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OBJECTIVE
To help people become aware of God’s presence through being attentive to nature as a revelation of God.

PROCESS
Meister Eckhart (ca. 1260–ca. 1328) said, “Every creature is a word of God and a book about God.” The natural world is a revelation of God. Through nature, God can calm, quiet, and heal us. It is a good place to discern God’s presence and wisdom.

Choose a time and place to walk in a quiet natural setting. If you live in a city, find a park or a quiet street. Allow 20 minutes or longer for walking.

Let go of any discernment questions during your walk. Turn your questions over to God and trust God to be in and around you as you walk. Ask God to give you eyes to see and ears to hear signs of God.

Begin walking with reverence and gratitude. Stop and spend time if a plant, leaf, insect, flower, cloud, tree, animal, bird, stone, or pool of water draws your attention. Touch, smell, look, and listen. See if it has something to teach you. How does this natural object make you more aware of God and yourself? What insights come to you?

If done as a group activity: Ask your group to walk with the instructions above. Journal any observations and share with the group.

		Holding in the Light
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OBJECTIVE
To help persons pray for one another, or for persons of mutual concern. The scriptural image of light is used in combination with prayer.

Scriptures for Reflection
…Live as children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.
—Ephesians 5:8–9 NRSV

And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you, and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
—Doctrine and Covenants 85:18a

PROCESS

1. Gather in a circle. You may want to place one or more candles in the center.
2. Invite people into a period of intercessory prayer in which specific people and needs are placed in God’s loving, healing care.
3. Spend a few moments centering on God’s presence and the group’s intention of praying for others. This may be done by reading scripture for reflection, offering a verbal prayer, or using silence to become quiet inside and out.
4. Enter a period of silent prayer on behalf of those individuals and concerns the group desires to lift up. The whole group may choose to focus on one particular person or concern or group members can make individual choices about the focus of their prayers. The names of those being prayed for can be made known or kept private.
5. A central element of this form of intercessory prayer is to see or sense the person prayed for being surrounded by and held in God’s light. Ask those praying to focus on this image or awareness as they engage in silent prayer.
6. Encourage the “pray-ers” to trust God to know the needs of those being prayed for without a lot of words or explanations. Rather than use words for prayer, encourage the “pray-ers” to see in their mind’s eye  the person being held and healed by God’s light. Short prayer phrases can be used to keep attention focused on God as the Source of all healing and blessing.
7. Continue in silent intercession for 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Offer a brief prayer of thanks to close your prayer experience. This prayer practice can be done in private anytime one wishes to hold a particular person or need up to God. It can be done in scattered locations by a group of people wanting to join in prayerful solidarity for a particular person. The group may want to set a specific time when they will participate in prayer by “holding in the light” the one for whom they seek God’s blessing. Obviously, this practice can be done in a gathered group as well.

		Centering Prayer
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OBJECTIVE
In centering prayer the emphasis is on creating a space of quiet openness in which we become aware of God’s presence with us. It is called centering prayer because our attention is gathered in and centered on perceiving and receiving God. Centering prayer uses two “tools” to help us pull away from distractions and move us to listening. These two tools are breath and a prayer word (sometimes called a sacred word).

PROCESS

1. Sit with relaxed but erect posture in a comfortable chair, both feet on the floor, hands open in lap. Close your eyes.
2. Offer a brief prayer to state your intention to God and to ask for help and guidance. (For example: “I’m here, God, waiting, listening, open. Empty me of fear, worry, and inner noise. Allow me to rest and rejoice in the awareness of your presence.”)
3. Use your breath to create a sense of peace and letting go into God. Breathe deeply, slowly, calmly, starting with several cleansing breaths that end in an audible sigh. As you fill your lungs and exhale, feel the tension in your muscles and your entire body flow out with the air. Continue to breathe in a regular, natural rhythm from your abdomen rather than your chest.
4. Focus on breathing God in, breathing all else out until you feel calm and centered.
5. Continue paying attention to your breath as you focus your body, mind, and spirit on the reality that God is present and that you are here with the intention of loving and being loved by God.
6. Listen beneath or within your breath for a prayer word (or phrase) that expresses the desires and needs of your heart in this time. Don’t struggle for the word. Trust that it will arise as you continue to be still and open.
7. When you have been made aware of the prayer word or phrase, repeat it silently to yourself in rhythm with your breathing.

 Example:      

(breathing in)              Fill me…
(breathing out)            …O God
(breathing in)              [silence]
(breathing out)            …peace

8. When distracting thoughts pull you away from centering in God (for example, laundry, work deadlines, a phone call you need to make), bring yourself back by returning to your prayer word and the rhythm of your breathing. Don’t fight the thoughts so much as recognizing and letting them go as you re-center on God through your prayer word and breathing.
9. Continue in this quiet pattern of presence before God for approximately 20 minutes. (Beginners may want to start with 5–10 minutes.) You may want to set a timer so you will not have to keep checking the time.
10. When the time for prayer has elapsed, offer a brief word of thanks to God, take several more deep breaths, become aware of the room around you, move or stretch in your chair, and open your eyes when you feel ready.