In the book, The Critical Journey, the authors write: "The spiritual journey is deceptively simple and at the same time highly complex." This dichotomy of the Christian life can cause feelings of frustration and confusion as one attempts to give attention to spiritual formation and discipleship. Often the result is a life lived less abundantly than God intended.

With this in mind and with the added responsibilities of my new appointment, I feel God leading me to develop a way of communicating, sharing, and studying life in the Spirit...particularly through the lens of officership.  I confess that I was missing the classroom and was looking for a course of study to take when I felt that God was leading me in this direction.  What I need is the discipline of study that keeps the mind keen, the soul refreshed, and the heart open.

I am asking you to join me in the journey. Please know that I do not consider myself a "learned scholar" who has all the answers.  I simply want to be a vehicle for the Spirit to help us in this business of spiritual formation and discipleship.

We have all heard the sentiment expressed that we cannot lead our people to a higher level than the one we are on.  My hope is that as we deepen our own roots that the people we serve will reap a harvest of benefits.

This blog is a work in progress and I solicit your help and suggestions in its development. My intention is to make a weekly posting which allows time for study and research.

So to begin, I share with you my current reading list and invite you to join me.  My inital study will be based on the following:

--Who Gets to Narrate the World?: Contending for the Christian Story in an Age of Rivals  by Robert Weber

--Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Emerging Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Faith by Sharon Daloz Parks

--Living as a Christian by A.W. Tozer

My testimony as penned by Henry Allen:

With stains of sin upon me, 
And burdened by my guilt,        
I dared not hope that for my soul     
The Savior's blood was spilt;         
But I opened up my Bible
Where I rejoiced to see     
That whosoever will may come,      
And that means me. 

 

I do solicit your feedback. We gain so much as we listen, discuss, and challenge each other. As is often said, "iron sharpens iron." Lets do this!