Tuesdays Are For Formation

September 16, 2008

I posted this quote yesterday over at Missional Church Network. In chapter six, titled “Transition in Spiritual Formation” Tim Conder shares how he is seeing a shift in the mission of spiritual nurturing in the church from a compartmentalized, individualistic approach to one that emphasizes “rhythms of spiritual practices.” Moreover, this “rule of life” involves a wide variety of spiritual practices from divergent traditions. I think this quote speaks to purpose of this Missional Order:

“The advent of the emerging culture is causing a reformation — perhaps even a revolution — in the church’s understanding of spiritual formation. Instead of a compartmentalized spirituality that focuses on personal choices, we are seeing the growth of a new approach to spiritual formation that emphasizes a rule of life and rhythms of spiritual practices drawing from a vast array of Christian traditions.

Thankfully, there is a widening pool of resources to aid churches, Christians, and spiritual sojourners in the exploration of spiritual practices that support this transformation of orientation. It’s truly exciting to see churches making use of a wide range of historic and experiential spiritual practices, such as labyrinths, body prayers, praying the hours, meditation using the repetition of historical prayers and liturgies like the Jesus Prayer, lectio divina, the integration of art and physical practices into prayer, fasting, the use of contemporary and historical symbols and icons, and the restoration and veneration of the Eucharist and baptism in traditions that once minimized these rites.”

The Church in Transition: The Journey of Existing Churches into the Emerging Culture by Tim Conder

Posted by brad brisco | Filed Under Continuous Formation, Sacred Rhythm, Spiritual Formation 

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Why A Missional Order?

This site exists for two big-picture reasons. On the one hand, we want to counteract some negative trends that are prevalent in society today. Call that our combative side. More important, we think that the missional approach will help us capture the positive dynamics that Jesus wants to be part of every life.
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What Is A Missional Order?

Think of it as a dispersed group of people who unite with each other to pursue three common commitments:

1) Punctuate each day with a rhythm that is sacred. 2) Exert ourselves in the continuous formation of character.

3) Participate in the missio Dei, the mission of God.
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