Sabbath Space For Clergy, Chaplains and Other Leaders:

Transcription

1 SABBATH SPACE - Prospectus KAIROS: School of Spiritual Formation Sabbath Space For Clergy, Chaplains and Other Leaders: Instructor: Jane Hoober Peifer RETREAT DESCRIPTION To provide a contemplative context for pastors and ministry leaders to grow spiritually and to enhance their ministries in the practice of spiritual formation, through the study of literature, the experience of group spiritual direction, theological reflection, and presentation of case studies out of the settings in which they provide leadership. RETREAT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goals: (overall purpose) These retreat days (a) provide rest and reflection away from the work of ministry, (b) encourage personal spiritual growth, (c) increase awareness and understanding of the art and ministry of spiritual guidance in the church or ministry setting. Objectives (more specific goals): To have participants 1. Enhance their own spiritual journey in a contemplative setting 2. Grow in understanding of the ways of God in human experience 3. Embrace a rhythm between self-care, ministry and life 4. Become aware of the literature on observing Sabbath and spiritual companioning. 5. Understand the practice of spiritual guidance in the life of the congregation or ministry setting 6. Effectively care for the soul of the congregation or ministry community 7. Develop a plan or project that will enhance the spiritual formation of those in your ministry setting (congregation, etc.) RETREAT REQUIREMENTS 1. Have a rule for the practice of spiritual disciplines and meet with a spiritual director outside of class 2. Participate regularly in the monthly class sessions 4. Read the texts and assigned readings each month prior to the class session 5. Reporting and Presentations: Write a monthly reflection (few paragraphs) to be submitted to the instructor and retreat participants (via ) one week prior to the upcoming class session. This paper will include: (a) insights from reading or practice, (b) issues or questions arising from your readings, (c) theological reflection, and/or (d) questions you have about spiritual companioning in your setting Kairos Sabbath Space Prospectus Page 1

2 Write a one-page report of a ministry experience and bring copies to class (for yourself, instructor and all class members). No need to ahead of time. Use the provided format (pg. 6 of syllabus). 6. Each student will make a presentation to the class on My Plan for a Ministry of Spiritual Formation in the Congregation or Ministry setting on the last session in May with particular attention to practical, theological and ecclesial consideration. This may include such questions as: What initiatives in spiritual companioning would make sense in our congregation/ministry setting? How would such initiatives fit with our congregational/ministry setting vision? How would such initiatives fit with what I believe about who God is and what God wants for us (congregation/ministry setting) in the coming years? REQUIRED TEXTS Bourgeault, Cynthia. Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening. Cowley Publications, Clymer, Donald and Clymer Landis, Sharon. The Spacious Heart: Room For Spiritual Awakening. Herald Press, Liebert, Elizabeth. The Way of Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Decision Making. Westminster John Knox Press, Muller, Wayne. Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives. Banton Books, Haley Barton, Ruth. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry, IVP Books, Richardson, Ronald W. Becoming a Healthier Pastor: Family systems Theory and the Pastor s Own Family, Fortress Press, Taylor, Barbara Brown. Learning to Walk in the Dark. HarperOne, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (Optional) Augsburger, David. Dissident Discipleship: A Spirituality of Self-Surrender, Love, of God, and Love of Neighbor, BrazosPress, Baab, Lynne M. Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedoms in the Rhythms of Rest. InterVarsity Press, Bakke, Jeannette. Holy Invitations. Baker Books, Conroy R.S.M., Maureen. The Discerning Heart: Discovering a Personal God. Loyola University Press, D'Arcy, Paula & Rohr, Richard O.F.M., A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (CD set St. Anthony Messenger Press Available--Kairos Office and Sharon Kraybill. Dawn, Marva J. Keeping the Sabbath Wholly: Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting. Eerdmans, Demarest, Bruce Dr. Soul Guide Following Jesus As Spiritual Director. Navpress, Dyckman, Katherine Marie & L. Patrick Carroll. Inviting the Mystic, Supporting the Prophet: An Introduction to Spiritual Direction. Paulist Press, Kairos Sabbath Space Prospectus Page 2

3 Johnson, Ben Campbell. Speaking of God: Evangelism as Initial Spiritual Guidance. Westminster/John Knox, Jones, Alan. Exploring Spiritual Direction: An Essay on Spiritual Friendship. Seabury Press, Kelsey, Morton. Companions On the Inner Way. Crossroad, May, Gerald. The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need. HarperSanFrancisco, Norris, Kathleen. Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and A Writer s Life. Riverhead Books, O Donohue, John. To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings. Doubleday, Peterson, Eugene. The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction. Eerdmans. Rohr, Richard. Immortal Diamond: Searching For Our True Self. Jossey-Bass, Rupp, Joyce. The Open Door: A Journey to the True Self. Sorin Books, Vest, Norvene. Still Listening : New Horizons in Spiritual Direction. Morehouse Publishing, Yamasaki, April. Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal. Herald Press, Yungblut, John R. The Gentle Art of Spiritual Guidance. Continuum Publishing, Schedule, Reading assignments and Topics Tuesday, September 8, :00 Gathering: Introductions and getting acquainted/how do you come? 9:30 Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Chapters 1 and 2; Clymer, The Spacious Heart, Chapter 1; Muller, Sabbath, pgs :30 Topic: Introduction to Sabbath Space 12:00 Group spiritual direction from stories of Call to ministry 1:30 Group spiritual direction from stories of Call to ministry What grace have you experienced today? What is your take-away from the day? Tuesday, October 13, :00 Gathering: How do you come? 9:30 Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Chapters 3 and 4 Muller, Sabbath, pgs Clymer, The Spacious Heart, chapters 3 and 4 11:30 Topic: Finding a rhythm of work and rest -- observing the Sabbath Kairos Sabbath Space Prospectus Page 3

4 Tuesday, November 10, :00 Gathering: How do you come? 9:30 Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Chapter 5 Muller, Sabbath, pgs Bourgeault, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening 11:30 Topic: Prayer Saturday, December 5, :00 All school Advent Day (optional) Tuesday, January 12, :00 Gathering, Prayer & Checking in with each other 9:30 Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Chapter 6 and 7 Clymer, The Spacious Heart, chapters 6 and 7 Richardson, Becoming a Healthier Pastor 11:30 Topic: How Family Systems Affects Our Ministries; Guest? Tuesday, February 9, :00 Gathering: How do you come? 9:30 Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Chapters 11 and 12 Clymer, The Spacious Heart, chapters 8 and 9 Liebert, The Way of Discernment 11:30 Topic: Spiritual discernment for decision making Kairos Sabbath Space Prospectus Page 4

5 Tuesday, March 8, :00 Gathering, Prayer & Checking in with each other 9:30 Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Chapters 9 and 10 Taylor, Learning to Walk in the Dark 11:30 Topic: Spiritual Formation and Dark Night Experiences Tuesday, April 5, :00 Gathering, Prayer & Checking in with each other 9:30 Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Chapter 8 Clymer, The Spacious Heart, chapter 10, 11 and 12 11:30 Topic: Drawn and driven 1:30 Group spiritual direction from a ministry experience ENDING RETREAT: Adding Monday overnight to our last Tuesday meeting Monday, May 9, :30 Dinner 6:30 Gathering, Check-in and Evening prayer 7:30 Silence until 9:00am gathering Tuesday, May 10, :45 Lectio Divina 8:15 Breakfast (Silence) 9:00 Gathering, Reflecting out of the silence Kairos Sabbath Space Prospectus Page 5

6 9:30 Barton, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Chapter 13 11:30 Sharing from our Rule of Life and readings 1:30 My Plan for a Ministry of Spiritual Guidance in the Congregation (See #6, p. 2 syllabus) of the Year Presentation of Certificates Kairos Sabbath Space Prospectus Page 6

7 PRESENTING A SPIRITUALITY MINISTRY Your name: Today s Date: 1) Brief sketch of the situation: 2) What do you want from this time of supervision? 3) What is happening within you with regard to this situation? 4) What do you notice about God s presence: in yourself, in others, in the situation itself? Kairos Sabbath Space Prospectus Page 7