DESCRIPTION:

The focus of this course is developing an adult friendship with God. Initiated by God's gracious invitation to belong to God as God's beloved friends, our spirituality as a response to this invitation will be explored, experienced and enjoyed. We will explore spiritual disciplines, not as compulsory obligations, but as ways to pay attention to and to keep alive our relationship with our Triune Friend. Spiritual attitudes and actions such as gratitude, faith, obedience, prayer, silence, solitude, study of and meditation on Scripture, public worship, Sabbath-keeping, doubt, wrestling with God, compassion, social action, journal keeping and the arts will be considered.

The purpose of the course is the personal spiritual formation of the minister with a view to developing and enhancing the spiritual vitality of one's congregation.

The course will meet daily, September 5-15, 8:00am-11:50. The classes will include morning prayers, lectures, silent reflection, spiritual exercises, class and small group discussion. It is also expected that students will spend at least four hours a day outside of class on class material and assignments.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. Reaching Out. Image Books, 1986.

Peterson, Eugene. Working the Angles. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1987.

Postema, Don. Space for God. CRC Publications, 1997.

Thompson, Marjorie J. Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life. Westminster/John Knox, 1995.

Ford, D. F. The Shape of Living: Spiritual Directions for Everyday Life. Baker Book House, 1997.

Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline. HarperSanFrancisco, 1998.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. Living Reminder. Seabury Press, 1977.

Postema, Don. Catch Your Breath: God's Invitation to Sabbath Rest. CRC Publications, 1997.

Rolheiser, Ronald. The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality. Doubleday, 1999.

1) Attendance in class FROM THE FIRST DAY; doing Required Readings [and discussing them in class] and spiritual/devotional exercises; participation in class and small group discussions. READ AS MUCH AS YOU CAN BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS. 2) Read and pray through Space for God (if at all possible, before September 5; otherwise begin before class begins and continue during course). Do exercises at the end of each chapter and keep a journal of insights. Write a three-page paper with a summary of learnings from this book. You can use your journal entries for this paper. Due Friday, September 15. 3) Write a ONE-PAGE paper on each of the other three required readings. [Longer is not better!] Papers are due before the end of class: Nouwen, Friday, September 8; Peterson, Tuesday, September 12; Thompson, Friday, September 22. 4) Keep a journal during the two weeks of class. 5) Develop a personal, spiritual discipline and fashion ways to inspire spiritual formation through your ministry. Write a brief reflection paper expressing your thoughts on this during the two weeks of the course. Due Friday, September 29. 6) A ten-page [no longer!] reflection paper on SPIRITUALLY FORMATIVE aspects of the course, including theological, biblical, and personal/experiential reflections. Due at the end of October.

None. Some theological and biblical knowledge will be helpful for participation in this course.

M.Div. elective; meets M.A. in Theology (General Format) requirement in Spirituality (SPIR).