Spiritual Leadership

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP

The Practice of Spiritual Leadership Kevin Witt

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP. Copyright © 2002 General Board of Discipleship. All rights reserved. If you are a leader in United Methodist camp/retreat or youth ministries, or a member of a religiously affiliated camp of the American Camping Association, you may reproduce and redistribute this document provided no fee is charged and this header remains part of the document. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

From the author Dear Friends and Colleagues: I wrote this resource as a way to thank you and to encourage you. Camp and retreat experiences have profoundly touched and shaped me. I know that without them I would be only a shadow of who God created me to be. Camps and retreats are key avenues where I encountered God and learned the deep meaning of spiritual leadership. I am not alone. Historically, Christian camp/retreat settings and programs have consistently drawn people closer to Christ and have inspired them to lifestyles of faithfulness. Today, both the society at large and individual congregations voice the great need for people of integrity who are motivated by love and the common good. This, of course, includes inspiring and nurturing people for ordained and lay ministries within the church. It also means lifting a vision for all camp/retreat participants that moves them to spiritual leadership in their homes and in every walk of life. We as leaders in camp and retreat ministries must never underestimate our role in this endeavor. In fact, developing spiritual leaders was one of the reasons camp and retreat ministries were established. Modern times require a recommitment to the core of what we are about, because fewer and fewer people see themselves as spiritual leaders in their daily lives. The church suffers from an inadequate number of leaders for crucial positions and ministries. Camp/retreat ministry is one key partner in helping turn this situation around. An effective response requires that we be very intentional. It is time to embrace joyfully our unique identity in teaching and practicing Christlike leadership. As Christian camp/retreat leaders, we can go far beyond simply providing cost-effective meals and lodging in pretty places. Our role is much more significant than simply helping people get away from their normal routines and pressures. Amid the adventures, increased self-esteem, and even opportunities for strangers to get to know one another and become friends, we draw people closer to the Essence of Life. We certainly do not exist just to get people to come back to our sites, therefore generating income for us. We must never adopt the philosophy that we host some groups in order to get money to enable us to “do our ministry” with others. There is no such thing as a “rental” group. That term should be eliminated from our vocabv

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ulary, along with the term “other-use group.” Every participant and every guest has the right to receive the unique gifts that God has given us to offer as Christians. If we are not going to cherish who we are, then we really have nothing much to offer that others can’t do better. What a terrible loss to society that would be! Our mission is beautiful and important. Let us stay focused. The Christian church sponsors camp/retreat centers and experiences specifically as avenues for people to connect more deeply with God, to experience the possibilities for life based on the love of Christ, and to be inspired to practice life-giving leadership wherever they go. The natural world, so much a part of camp/retreat settings, speaks of God and enhances this process. For so many reasons, excursions to camp/retreat centers heighten people’s openness to new ways of being, which then must be linked to their daily lives. Remember, camp/retreat experiences are intentionally temporary. People come to camps and retreats so that they might return home to live more fully. Both the experience and the return are part of camp/retreat ministry. We introduce people in many different ways to practices that they can continue when they return, if we want their camp/retreat experience to have an ongoing impact. Some individuals and groups will journey into our midst for that very purpose, and others will only begin to discover and contemplate the possibilities after they arrive. Creativity in how we engage different types of groups into the core of our purpose requires sensitivity and diverse approaches that honor the guests while inviting them to explore various aspects of spiritual growth and ways to relate more lovingly. How will our sites, staff and volunteer practices, and the experiences themselves all invite an expanded openness to the guidance of God’s Spirit, which is the foundation of “spiritual” leadership? What are the practices that open doorways to lifestyles of faithfulness and spiritual leadership at home, at work, and within the community? The more clarity we have on this, the more intentional we can be in preparing ourselves, our staff and volunteers, and our guests and participants to understand themselves as “spiritual” leaders wherever they may go. The question “What makes leadership ‘spiritual’?” became the focus of a recent study leave for me. The sessions that follow outline discoveries I made while searching the Scriptures, talking with respected spiritual leaders, reading extensively, and participating in sessions with youth who are seeking to be spiritual leaders. vi

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I pray that these insights and practices will aid you in your own spiritual growth, in preparing volunteers and staff, and in giving direction to your ministry of hospitality and faith formation. It is my way of giving back for all you have done for me and so many others. I thank the General Board of Discipleship for making this resource possible. Use and adapt these sessions for staff and volunteer orientation and ongoing faith-formation practices as a camp/retreat community. Examine the themes and creatively consider how you can introduce them through the camp/retreat grounds, facilities, hospitality, practices, and learning opportunities for all guests and participants. Consider developing self-initiated learning options throughout the site and establish other ways to communicate the messages and practices of spiritual leadership. Finally, I plan to add more sessions over time that speak directly to spiritual leadership. Please send me your suggestions. Sessions on peacemaking and the care of creation are just two of the additions already requested. With deep gratitude, Rev. Kevin Witt, Camp and Retreat Ministries Staff The General Board of Discipleship The United Methodist Church [email protected]

About the author The Reverend Kevin Witt currently serves as the Camp and Retreat Ministries staffperson with the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. His previous experience includes service as regional director of camp/retreat and youth ministries with the OregonIdaho Conference, director of Templed Hills Camp and Retreat Center in Colorado, pastor of local churches in the Virginia Annual Conference, and summer program staff in Western Pennsylvania. He co-authored Twists of Faith (Discipleship Resources, 1999) with Marcey Balcomb, a book about ministry with youth at the turning points of their lives. He has authored many articles in the areas of camp/retreat ministry and spiritual leadership. He is also a popular teacher, workshop leader, and keynote speaker. Kevin lives in Central Oregon where he enjoys camping and fly-fishing with his best friend and wife, Joanne. They have three wonderful daughters. vii

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In recognition of ROWENA and JERRY WITT For being such powerful spiritual mentors od became very important to me at a young age. My parents’ deep commitment to the civil rights movement and the sacrifices they made to stand with the poor and the suffering forever forged for me an unbreakable connection between faith in God and living the way of love. Christianity has been an incredibly meaningful, inspiring, and sometimes difficult spiritual path that I cherish deeply. I thank God for living examples of Christian faith and for The United Methodist Church, which has been my faith community for support, encouragement, and guidance.

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Through my parents, I met and watched sincere people from many religions unite to partner in efforts for love and justice. Spiritual leaders from different faiths were guests in our home. What I noticed, even as a child, was that these leaders lived, breathed, and practiced what they believed. They did so even when it cost them. They sought to grow more loving, even while they recognized they had much to learn. The various spiritual pathways and traditions, though quite different in some respects, shared some common wisdom. In all these traditions, for example, intellectual agreement with spiritual truths is not what is meant by faith. Agreeing verbally with religious wisdom is little more than observation. Faith is better understood as trust. In Christianity, faith in God is a deep trust in God that calls forth the courage to move from being bystanders to deep involvement, as Christ was deeply involved. Faith means practicing the way of Christian love until it becomes a holy habit or way of life. The title of this resource, The Practice of Spiritual Leadership, affirms what was shown to me so many years ago and which has proven valid until this very day in my own experience. As a great musician practices so he or she might bring beauty to the world, we must also continually practice as Christian spiritual leaders. Ours is the practice of seeking God and learning to love. Over time, our capacity to love increases and God enriches the world through us. I observed this first in my mom and dad. Then they led me to begin to explore the Christian path myself. Over the years, I have been blessed to encounter God repeatedly within the many twists and turns of following Jesus. Life without God is unimaginable to me now.

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Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mom and Dad, for introducing me to God and the infinite frontier of Christian love. It has made all the difference. May this book inspire new generations of spiritual leaders to do for others what you have done for me. It is a gift from God.

Special thanks The following young people and their youth pastor from First United Methodist Church in Bend, Oregon, participated regularly in a Spiritual Leadership Covenant Group based on the sessions in this resource. Their commitment to learning, practicing, journaling, and group sharing about spiritual leadership helped me enormously. Thanks so much to Jo Beth, Jeanna, Mike, Erin, Stephanie, Cassie, Cate, Amanda, Briana, and Sue.

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Introduction t is no accident that you are reading this. Think about it. Either someone else recognized spiritual leadership qualities and potential in you and referred you to this work, or something within you drew you to explore being a spiritual leader. These nudges are part of a personal invitation from God for you to go on the journey of a lifetime. If you wholeheartedly decide to accept the invitation to follow Jesus in your leadership, that invitation will take you deep inside yourself and out to people and places you never imagined. If you are open, God’s Spirit will guide you and shape you into the kind of person who inspires others to make a real difference in the world. Be aware from the beginning: Spiritual leadership is not always easy. It is, however, full of purpose and meaning.

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Spiritual leadership is a special type of leadership. Webster’s Dictionary defines leadership, in general, as the ability to go with others, in order to show them the way—to influence and guide. Spirit refers to God. Spiritual means the way of God. Spiritual leadership, then, means to go with people, showing and guiding them on pathways that lead them toward God and living the way of love. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love … Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us … So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. (1 John 4:7-16)

God-centered leadership always tries to inspire people to enrich their lives. It’s not about being the center of attention, being admired, controlling others, or advancing your group’s ambitions by “being better” than the next guy. It means being strong, caring deeply, seeking wisdom to do and advocate what is truly best over the long run for all involved. What an exciting, challenging contribution to make! No one becomes a God-centered leader simply by reading or talking. Honestly, these sessions won’t make much difference if they remain only concepts in your head. To know spiritual leadership, one must live it. That’s where action and practice come in. Perhaps you’ve never thought of it this way. Practice frees us. Without consistent, real-life practice and self-discipline, we can wish to be but never x

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become effective spiritual leaders. Musicians, athletes, artists, and others who excel at something understand the necessity of practice. Individuals who rarely (or never) practice an instrument may long to play a beautiful piece of music, but they will not be free to do so. They can see the notes and may even be able to name them, but they can’t bring them to life. Practice builds their capacity and frees them from the barriers that prevent them from being able to play as they desire. Similarly, we may long to live beautiful lives and to contribute as spiritual leaders, but we will not be free to do so unless we actually practice seeking God and living the way of love. We cannot lead others where we are unwilling to go ourselves. These sessions will encourage you to develop new lifelong habits. They are literally gifts from God to help you. It’s your choice. No one can force you to practice these principles. No one can do it for you. It comes down to deciding who will be your guide in life: God, or someone or something else. Some of you might be expecting these sessions on leadership to focus on popular skills and techniques, such as how to run a meeting, how to lead a small-group discussion, how to get other people to do what you want, the dos and don’ts of public speaking, and so on. We won’t cover those here for a couple of very good reasons. Primarily, it is a matter of putting first things first. Techniques can be very helpful, but they are not the heart of spiritual leadership. Second, there are lots of other books and training sources related to these topics. Little exists on the core aspects of spiritual leadership, so we give priority attention to this. Keep in mind that common leadership skills and techniques in and of themselves do not make one a trustworthy leader. They can be used for good, bad, or meaningless purposes. An obvious example can be found in Hitler, a truly talented person who had many followers due to his charisma, organizational skills, public-speaking ability, and so on. In the end his skills did not form him as a Christian spiritual leader. His aptitudes, as effective as they were, led people down a very harmful path. Remember that a skill or technique is not of itself leadership, but a tool that can be learned as the need arises. Growing as a spiritual leader is far easier with support, either from a mentor or a core group who join with you to encourage and learn. As you work through these sessions, we strongly suggest that you seek out a person xi

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whom you look up to as a spiritual leader or a group that will reflect with and support you on this journey. Thank you for deciding to grow as a person who intends to make a life-giving difference in the world. Keep in mind that you can pass on these lessons to others, and we encourage that. Remember: Spiritual leadership is far more than reading lessons. Spiritual leadership can only be known by living and practicing it until it becomes part of who you are. Open yourself to God’s Spirit and God will shape and guide you.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP The Practice of Spiritual Leadership Session 1 ....................Become Aware of God’s Love Session 2 ....................The Greatest Commandment Session 3 ....................Love in Action Session 4 ....................Who Are Our Neighbors? Session 5 ....................Let Go of Fear Session 6 ....................Love Your Enemies Session 7 ....................God With Us Session 8 ....................Holy Habits Building Spiritual Habits Session 9 ....................Worship With a Community of Faith Session 10 ..................Avoid Harm Session 11 ..................Do Good Session 12 ..................Pray Session 13 ..................Join in Communion Session 14 ..................Search the Scriptures Session 15 ..................Have Christian Conversations Session 16 ..................Fast Session 17 ..................Retreat Into Nature Session 18 ..................Journal and Write Letters Session 19 ..................Give and Be Generous Session 20 ..................Renew and Care for Yourself Session 21 ..................Provide Hospitality and Christian Community Session 22 ..................Make Faith-full Decisions Session 23 ..................Meditate Session 24 ..................Engage With Music and the Arts Session 25 ..................A Review of Spiritual Habits Scripture-based Lessons in Spiritual Leadership Session 26 ..................The Mission of Spiritual Leadership Session 27 ..................Temptation Session 28 ..................Leadership as Service Session 29 ..................Compassion Session 30 ..................Asking Others to Join Session 31 ..................Integrity Session 32 ..................Inner Thoughts Session 33 ..................Planting Seeds

Session 34 ..................Recognizing Diversity Session 35 ..................Shaping New Leaders Session 36 ..................Leading Wholeheartedly Session 37 ..................Justice Session 38 ..................Forgiveness and Reconciliation Session 39 ..................Courage to Love Session 40 ..................Give Thanks

SESSION 1 Become Aware of God’s Love od loves us into being. This is perhaps the single most important truth for all spiritual leaders to embrace and cherish. God’s love is so immense that it gives life to the whole creation in a process that is nothing less than miraculous. You exist because God loves you. Even on days when you feel totally unlovable or when people just don’t get it and treat you harshly, God values you and cares for you. You are important to God.

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Throughout the centuries this truth has been a primary theme of spiritual teachers. In everything from art to song, the message is clear. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the LORD is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5)

Can you grasp what steadfast means? That which is steadfast endures forever. Not even the stupid or destructive things we sometimes do prevent God from loving us. How far does a love like that go? Hear the words of the apostle Paul: What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? … Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 1: Become Aware of God’s Love

When we become spiritual leaders, we become part of what God is doing, part of something truly important that really lasts. Long before we were even aware of it, God loved us, and God continues to love us. Knowing that we are loved keeps us from striving to be a leader for the wrong reasons: to show that we are important, to gain acceptance, to gain power over others, and so on. Only those who are aware that they are already loved can consistently give love. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Spend the day intentionally increasing your awareness of all the ways that God loves you. Observe everything. Notice the common, everyday miracles. For example, every breath you take is a gift. You didn’t create it or earn it, but thousands of times a day it is given to you. Take it in with new awareness. Your friends, your food—where did they come from? Become conscious of everything you can that enriches your life. Enjoy those things and thank God. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: What was it like to spend the day trying to be aware of God’s love? What did you discover about God, yourself, or the world? What do you want to say to God? For Further Study: Alive Now, a devotional magazine published by The Upper Room, helps small groups and individuals find Christian meaning in their lives. To order, call 1-800-925-6847. Visit Alive Now on the web. Alone With God: A Workbook, a guide to personal retreats by Ron DelBene with Mary and Herb Montgomery (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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SESSION 2 The Greatest Commandment ouldn’t it be great if somebody gave us some guidance about life in simple terms that we could actually remember and put into practice? There are so many ideas out there about what’s really important and what will bring happiness. There must be millions of books about Christianity alone, not to mention all the other religions. The information overload becomes overwhelming when you add leadership, self-help, and how-to books and programs. How can any person possibly wade through every idea out there to know how to proceed to become a spiritual leader and live a meaningful life?

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Thanks to Jesus, we can find focus. Good teachers have a knack for filtering out the peripheral stuff so that we can find the most important truths. Jesus was one of the most remarkable spiritual leaders the world has ever known. Here’s what he says. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He [Jesus] said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

There it is. That’s what spiritual leadership is all about. That’s what life is all about. All viable religious teachings are grounded on these essentials. Everything else you will learn in these sessions is designed to help increase your ability to do three things and to help others do the same. These three are so important that Jesus describes them as commandments—“must do’s,” if we truly want to follow him. 1. Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 2. Love your neighbor. 3. Love yourself. Isn’t it interesting that loving yourself is included? In the way that God designed the world, all things are connected. Hence, if you are unwilling to love yourself, it will be hard to extend yourself to love your neighbor and God. When we don’t appreciate and care for ourselves, our lack of care has an impact on everyone around us. 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 2: The Greatest Commandment

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Do one intentional thing today to love God. Do one intentional thing today to love someone else. Do one intentional thing today to love yourself. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Portray in some way what you did to love God, your neighbor, and yourself today. For Further Study: Communion, Community, Commonweal: Readings for Spiritual Leadership, John S. Mogabgab, editor (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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SESSION 3 Love in Action eople talk about love so much that it’s easy to lose track of its deeper meaning. The word is used to describe everything from “I love that pen” to “I feel like I’m falling in love.” Spiritually speaking, the essence of love might be best expressed this way:

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Love is the choice to extend oneself to do what is spiritually best in the long run for oneself, other people, and all creation. Let’s examine this definition more closely. “Choice”: Love is a decision to build up and nurture. With God’s help we can choose to love, even when we may not “feel” like it or even in the absence of warm feelings toward another person. Feelings come and go, but love remains. “Extend oneself”: This implies two important attributes: (1) openness to growing and stretching ourselves so that we become more able to love; (2) willingness to put forth some effort. Loving requires energy. Good intentions and good wishes without action fall short of love. “Spiritually best”: Some people equate love with doing whatever pleases them or other people. It’s not that simple. What makes a leader worth following is her or his ability to act wisely. If we are honest, there are times when what we want or what someone else wants will do no good, is a waste, or may even cause harm. We become able to discern what is spiritually best when we first seek to understand the circumstances more fully. Situations will arise that call for a response when there is no easy answer. Spiritual leaders step back first to reflect and to seek guidance. They recognize that God loves more and understands more about what’s needed than they do. They ask what God would want in this situation. Seeking more information and seeking God’s guidance are key to deciphering the most loving thing to do. “In the long run”: Spiritual leaders need the ability to look ahead and not get mesmerized by the moment. People count on spiritual leaders to guide them if they’re going to follow. A certain action or desire might look attractive, but where’s that path going if we stay on it? What will be the end result and not just the immediate gratification? 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 3: Love in Action

This applies to oneself, other people, and all creation: Love encompasses the whole—the common good of all. What looks like love isn’t always love. For example, parents may give a child everything the child requests because they feel the need to look like good parents. What motivates those parents is not love. The child who receives everything he or she wants will learn to focus on unimportant things. Even great deeds that truly help many people may not be love if the intention is not to do what is spiritually best. For example, you might develop a drug that helps thousands who are ill, but if your primary reason is to make tons of money, yours is not an act of love. A great teaching on love follows. Read it slowly so that you don’t miss anything. What might God be saying to you through this passage about what it means to be a spiritual leader? If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Find another person and ask him or her, “What was one of the most loving things someone did for you, and how did it influence your life?” Share a story from your own life on the same topic with that person.

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Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Do two of the following: Reread 1 Corinthians 13 and write down the verse or verses that you most want to remember. Draw a picture that illustrates the story about love that someone told you today and/or your own story of love. Or if you prefer, write that story down. Jot down the words to a song you like that has something to say about what real love is. If you like singing, sing that song as a prayer. For Further Study: Living Out Christ’s Love: Selected Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa, Keith Beasley-Topliffe, editor. (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Then Shall Your Light Rise: Spiritual Formation and Social Witness, by Joyce Hollyday (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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SESSION 4 Who Are Our Neighbors? e are encouraged to love our neighbors, but who are our neighbors? Are they the people who live next door? Maybe it’s the people who live on our block or down the road? Jesus tells a story that reveals an interesting answer to the question of “Who is my neighbor?”

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Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus redefines the concept of neighbor in this parable. A neighbor isn’t necessarily someone who lives near you. A neighbor does not have to practice the same religion you do. Ask yourself, “Who is hurting? Who is in pain? Who needs a friend? Who feels alone? Who seems to have no one caring for them?” Your answers help define who your neighbors are. Your neighbor may live in your own house or be in your cabin group. However, your neighbor may live halfway around the world. Your neighbor may even be some other creature or part of nature that is suffering. Take notice that in the story told in Luke those who were most expected to be spiritual leaders walked on by the man in need. This story is another reminder that to truly know love, we must live it. The priests and the religious teachers intellectually knew what to do, but they didn’t put it into practice. Perhaps they were afraid that someone might see them. They might then be associated with the person in need and might get the same 1

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treatment he got. Perhaps they had really busy schedules and didn’t want to waste any time. Perhaps they figured it might cost them something to help. There are lots of reasons to walk by someone who is hurting and in need. Probably all of us know a few reasons, because we have steered clear ourselves on occasion. Ironically, the one who has compassion is the Samaritan, a man from a group of people whom many considered far from God. Hmmm. You never know who is listening to God’s lead and whom God is going to partner with to make a difference in the world. Jesus has a brilliant way of answering questions with questions. The lawyer wanted him to define who was considered a neighbor. It was as if he were saying, “Limit the field so I know the few whom I should care about. Who is my neighbor?” Jesus isn’t interested in setting boundaries. What does interest him is the heart of a spiritual leader. Are you willing to be a neighbor? “Which of these three, do you think was a neighbor to the man …?” Think about it. “Go and do likewise.” Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Keep your eyes open today for people who may be hurting in some way. Perhaps you already know who they are. Don’t set any boundaries on your definition of neighbor. Show people Christian love in some way and watch what happens. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Explore your own feelings about what happened today as you tried to live out the spiritual practice of loving your neighbor. Talk with God about it. For Further Study: Yours Are the Hands of Christ: The Practice of Faith, by James C. Howell (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Christian Social Action is a 48-page social issues journal published by the General Board of Church and Society six times a year. To order, call 202488-5621 or 1-800-967-0880.

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SESSION 5 Let Go of Fear ear holds us back from love. The tighter we cling to our fears, the more they separate us from God, from others, and from the world around us. Fear excels at exaggeration, making small issues look huge. Fear paints the worst possible scenario, then tries to convince us that the scenario is real. When we are afraid to love, fear has us all to itself. Wise teachers throughout the centuries urge us to develop the spiritual practice of letting go of fear. If we place ourselves within the love of God and live in the way of love, we cannot be permanently harmed even if we suffer—even if we die. Such trust in God we call faith. This is what the Scripture means by good news—the gospel!

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46:1-3) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long. (Psalm 23)

Perhaps our greatest fear is that of being separated from God, the fear that God may reject us. Some people still believe that we must somehow prove ourselves worthy before God will embrace us. A big part of Jesus’ mission 1

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was to set the record straight. God is always eager to embrace us. We often won’t embrace God because of our fears and the behaviors that grow out of those fears. Jesus’ message to us is that we can believe in the love of God. We can lean on it, trust it, be a part of it. That is why Jesus came: to eliminate the separation from God that our fears cause. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. … So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he [God] first loved us. (1 John 4:9-19)

Become a part of love because in the end everything else “fades away.” Faith, hope, and love—not our fears—are real. God makes the first gesture by reaching out. In Christ, God willingly suffers to get the message across to us clearly. Love never ends. … And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)

The motivation for spiritual leadership is love. It’s not groping for attention and power because we are afraid we won’t be popular or the center of the universe. Nor is it endless striving to prove ourselves worthy because we are afraid God might reject or punish us. Our worthiness comes because God already loves and cherishes us. Striving for perfection is not about doing everything right without fail. Instead, it involves our trusting and participating in God’s love. When we don’t recognize God and don’t open ourselves to the love available to us, when we put up barriers, lash out, or hoard in the attempt to protect ourselves from unreal fears, our lives can become a hell. Perhaps we carry those natural consequences into the next life and then continue to learn to let go of them there. Some things we do not fully know. I believe, however, that the hells we may endure are of our own making or are part of the fallout caused when others react to their own fears, rather than a hell that God desires or orchestrates.

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Of course, fear can be good when danger is legitimate. It helps us be aware. Avoiding harm rings true to the commandment to love ourselves. Only fools put themselves in harm’s way for no good reason. However, we have a great propensity for latching on to self-protection based on unmerited fears that dissuade us from loving God, self, and the rest of creation. There are times when love truly calls us to suffer for the greater good. That is when people look for a spiritual leader to inspire them to faith, hope, and love, even in the tough times. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Make an honest assessment of your fears. What are your fears? Which of those fears play on your imagination? Where is love calling you to let go of a fear in order to do what is spiritually best? How are your fears hindering you from loving yourself, loving others, and loving God? How might you be spreading and infecting others with fear? Notice your thoughts and reactions today. Ask God to help you let go of fears. Take some risks so that you might love where love is needed. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Think about the fears and love you experience every day. How did the practice today open your eyes? For Further Study: Anchoring Your Well Being: Christian Wholeness in a Fractured World, by Howard Clinebell (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds, by Flora Slosson Wuellner (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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SESSION 6 Love Your Enemies

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esus teaches some radical things about love, not the least of which is recorded in Matthew:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)

As this teaching makes clear, love is a choice. Jesus calls us to our higher selves as he urges us to act not out of hatred, but out of love. We may have feelings of hatred, but such feelings are not to rule us. Jesus affirms that it is possible to love our enemies, to reach out and do what is spiritually best for them. Enemies often are those who have caused us or our loved ones to experience pain or suffering. Sometimes we consider people to be enemies not out of direct experience with them, but because of rumors or stereotypes about the group to which they belong. Sometimes enmity is more about us than the other person. We may not understand certain people, and we may feel uncomfortable with them. We might be jealous of certain people and intimidated by others. Some people we may view as strange or weak. Enmity may arise because we don’t respect what someone has done, we disagree on an issue, or we just plain don’t like a person for whatever reason. We don’t always use the label enemy even if we treat someone as if he or she were the enemy. Enmity might even start because of something we have done. If we feel shame or embarrassment about something we have done, and if other people have observed what we have done, we may try to justify ourselves by dismissing them and regarding them as less than ourselves. Enemies may be strangers or may be relatives in our own family. Regardless of the source of the enmity—from within us or from the other—Jesus relentlessly declares that we can still love those we dislike or do not understand. Again, if there be any perfection to move toward as a spiritual leader, let it be toward perfection in love as God loves. 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 6: Love Your Enemies

How can we love our enemies when the natural reaction is to strike back or to reject? Should we just forget and ignore what they have done, even if they have harmed others? Here, focus is the key. We can decide to focus on the action of our enemies or on our fear and anger, and we can let our fear and anger be the principles we live by; or we can work to keep our eye focused on God. Making the choice to let love be the focus of our lives may require our own transformation. Loving an enemy can be incredibly difficult and may take repeated tries and a great deal of seeking God before we become truly free to do so. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)

Remember that love means doing what is spiritually best for a person. It is not spiritually best for someone to continue in destructive patterns or behaviors. Nor is it spiritually best for us to return evil for evil. Compassion is what allows us to persevere in loving an enemy. When we step back to realize that someone’s actions may be due to a lack of love, due to pain or fearfulness, or even due to a mental illness or chemical imbalance, we can have compassion. We can move to stop an evil and still love at the same time. It is not an either/or predicament, as some want to portray it. Spiritual leaders must be committed to self-awareness and truth. When we hate or dislike others, our feelings may reveal more about us than about them. We may need to seek our own healing from a lack of love, pain, fearfulness, or physical ailment that produces negative actions and opinions. We must seek the truth about the dynamics of situations where enmity arises. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Intentionally do something to love an enemy today, even if that person is not present where you are right now.

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Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Draw or find pictures that show the results of enmity. Draw or find pictures that represent love. Look at the differences in the two sets of pictures and meditate upon those differences. If you prefer not to incorporate pictures as part of your journaling, then create poetry or write prose about the contrast between enmity and love as you have experienced it. For Further Study: More Light, Less Heat: How Dialogue Can Transform Christian Conflicts Into Growth, by Joseph Phelps (Jossey-Bass, 1998). JUSTPEACE, Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation— www.justpeaceumc.org. The Institute for Peace and Justice—www.ipj-ppj.org.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 6: Love Your Enemies

SESSION 7 God With Us an we know God? Can we grow closer to God and learn from God? Those who have gone before us as spiritual leaders answer these questions with an emphatic “Yes!” Those who become aware of God’s presence are those who genuinely seek God. Those who consistently desire and look for the Lord will not be disappointed. Those who would be spiritual leaders are urged to “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his [God’s] presence continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11).

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The following promise given to the people of Israel many centuries ago is also a promise to any who seek God sincerely with all their heart: For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Jesus echoes this affirmation in Luke: “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)

The Lord seeks a relationship with us. We aren’t trying to get the attention of a God who sits far away from us waiting for us to arrive. The Life Giver wants to be with us and comes to us. In fact, the One we seek never leaves us, if we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. Even in our darkest hours, when we feel most alone, God is there. O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 7: God With Us

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still with you. (Psalm 139:1-12, 17-18)

They called Jesus “Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” How does God come among us? Sometimes we get stuck on wanting the Creator to be among us in exactly the same way we relate to one another as human beings. If we don’t see God or hear God speak in a human voice, we may interpret that to mean that God is not with us or even that God is not real. God is present, but we often fail to notice because of the limitations we set on how we meet and experience God. Spiritual leaders can learn to be more sensitive to the great many possibilities of perceiving God. God may indeed choose human form to be present with us, as illustrated so profoundly in the person of Jesus. Divine love can come through a faithful friend, too. It is vital to remember that God is not bound to our ways of being present. The Giver of Life may caress you through the warmth of the sun or whisper peace in a thought. The options available to God to express love and to be with us go far beyond what we can imagine. Be open to the myriad avenues in which God may choose to embrace and guide you. You may have a moment of inspiration or insight—the Spirit warning you through conscience or intuition that you may be headed for trouble. God may speak to us through the wisdom of a friend or spiritual guide, the love of a parent or family, the beauty and healing of nature, or 2

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the writings of an author speaking the truth. God may speak to us as we observe someone reaching out in love. God may speak to us in a dream or vision for a better future, through a tugging at our heart to help a person in need, through a passage of Scripture that speaks to our current situation, or through music or art that touches our soul. Listen for God during times of prayer and meditation, journaling, and discovering grace in the twists and turns of our experiences. Hardship and suffering can even reveal God’s abiding support. Spiritual teachers encourage us to practice developing new eyes and new ears so that we can pay attention to what we might otherwise overlook. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Look and listen for God today in new ways. Everywhere you go, seek God. Ask God to walk with you. Where do you experience morsels of wisdom, love, goodness, life, and hope today? Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: When, where, or how have you felt or noticed the presence of God? For Further Study: Calming the Restless Spirit: A Journey Toward God, by Ben Campbell Johnson (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). The Hunger of the Heart: A Workbook, a call to spiritual growth by Ron DelBene with Mary and Herb Montgomery (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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SESSION 8 Holy Habits id you know that spiritual leaders who came before us passed down “secrets” about how to connect with God? Certain practices turn out to be especially beneficial. These holy habits are like walking on pathways where God is often found. If you use them regularly, you are much more likely to encounter and sense the Spirit of God. They are gifts from God for those who long to know God more deeply and who desire to lead well.

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John Wesley, a remarkable person of faith who founded what would later become the Methodist denomination, highlights key practices from the Christian tradition. He calls them “The Means of Grace.” Loosely translated into modern language, one might refer to them as “A Gift—Ways to Connect with God.” Wesley encouraged everyone to engage frequently in a variety of these powerful habits. (Habits are what we do regularly that shape who we are.) Wesley’s Means of Grace include: Avoid doing harm Do good Pray Engage in Christian conversation Fast Participate in Holy Communion Search the Scriptures In addition to Wesley’s means of grace, other spiritual teachers might add: Meditate Worship with others Be generous Make faith-full decisions Retreat into nature Journal and write letters Engage with music and the arts Renew and care for yourself Provide hospitality and Christian community Here’s a big hint: These holy habits are not magic. If we engage in these practices without truly seeking God or trying to grow as loving people, we 1

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may be wasting time. Put your heart into these habits and they get exciting. Practice these holy habits and see what happens. As you continue these sessions, you will have a chance to practice each means of grace noted above. Remember that leader means “guide.” You want to lead, guide, and show others a beautiful way of life. But even guides need training and experience. Why would anyone follow someone who has no training or experience? The practices listed above are awesome means for gaining essential experiences with God and learning the way of love. For others to respect us enough to follow us, they need to know that we have walked the paths ourselves. You may be young or new to spiritual leadership, but don’t put off starting to learn and gain experience. There is no reason to wait. Don’t underestimate the impact you can have even while you are being shaped by God’s Spirit. By preparing yourself to lead and actually leading, you can start to make a difference now. You can learn to lead not only among your peers, but also among those who are older or in your own family. Timothy was young, and the apostle Paul encouraged him: Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. … Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:7-16)

King David talks of God teaching him when he was young: “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds” (Psalm 71:17). Did you know that most experts believe that Mary was just a teenager when Jesus was born, since in those days girls were betrothed to marry when they were very young? Imagine it! God trusted this young woman to raise Jesus—God’s own Son, a child who would have such a huge impact on the world.

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The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:35-38)

Wow! Young leaders have always been important in the church and the world! Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Talk honestly with God today about your joys in learning how to be a spiritual leader. Talk with God about your hesitations about being a spiritual leader. Ask God to be with you and to help you. What other people do you consider to be spiritual leaders? What do you learn by observing them? Pray specifically for those leaders. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Write a letter to God about how you hope your life will make a difference in the world. For Further Study: Accountable Discipleship: Living in God’s Household, by Steven W. Manskar (Discipleship Resources, 2000, 1-800-685-4370). Living Deeply Our New Life in Christ: A Wesleyan Spirituality for Today, by Jerry L. Mercer (Discipleship Resources, 2000, 1-800-685-4370). Praying With John Wesley, by David A. deSilva (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370).

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SESSION 9 Worship With a Community of Faith hen we become Christians, we become part of a community established by God and Jesus. Church means the assembly or meeting of those called together by God. True Christian leadership is never solo. Christianity is not a solitary faith. “God and I” transforms to “God and we.” Our connection with the Maker of Everything unites us with others. It’s basic. Whatever distinctions might have separated us before become unimportant in the face of the all-encompassing love of Christ.

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There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

The Christian community represents one of God’s greatest gifts for a spiritual leader. This gathering of people who also desire to know God provides tremendous support, inspiration, encouragement, and helpful accountability for living as Christ lived. Some in the early church figured they didn’t need a community of faith, and they stopped meeting together. Poor choice! And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another …. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Weekly worship is a great practice of meeting together. Take this opportunity to attend worship with new perspectives. Instead of attending worship just to make others happy, joyfully dedicate this time to God. Instead of participating because its the expected thing to do and you’d feel guilty if you didn’t, come to see what God might say to you and to encourage others in their ups and downs in the faith. Now that you know what church is really about, support others through your greetings, actions, and participation. Give and receive. Participate with your whole heart, mind, and soul. What happens in community worship? We have an opportunity to honor God and to increasingly make God the priority in our lives together. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:3)

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In worship we have an opportunity to offer more of ourselves to God’s great movement of love. It is a time to think deeply and to counteract the messages all around us that urge us to worry almost exclusively about ourselves and what we want. This constant emphasis on superficial goals and temporary possessions has a real impact on us. We begin to conform to these worldly standards if we don’t consciously realize what is happening and seek the guidance of God’s Spirit. Participating in worship helps reshape our thinking and renew our minds so that we can pay attention to what God desires for us and the world around us. During worship, we can contemplate what really matters, what really lasts. I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

Worship provides the opportunity for us to be joyful—to party and sing because we are alive, we are loved, and we are God’s people. It also gives us the opportunity to listen for what our Creator might be saying to us these days. O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed. O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice! (Psalm 95:1-7)

In worship we have a chance to hear, study, and remember all that God has done in our lives as well as in the lives of others, to affirm that we have a great future with God, and to say, simply, Thanks!

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Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful. (Psalm 111:1-4) Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 146:1-10)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Participate fully in worship; be actively present with others to honor God. Pay extra attention to the elements of worship: the words of the songs, the focus of the Scripture, the point of the preaching, the opportunities for you to participate and be aware of God. Make a mental note of everything that might nurture you as a spiritual leader. How can you participate differently so that the flow goes both ways—so that you are both encouraged and encouraging others through worship?

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 9: Worship With a Community of Faith

Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: If I designed a worship experience, I would … For Further Study: Sacraments and Discipleship: Understanding Baptism and the Lord’s Supper in a United Methodist Context, by Mark W. Stamm (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370). Worship Matters, Volume 1: A United Methodist Guide to Ways to Worship, E. Byron Anderson, editor (Discipleship Resources, 1999, 1-800-685-4370). Worship Matters, Volume 2: A United Methodist Guide to Worship Work, E. Byron Anderson, editor (Discipleship Resources, 1999, 1-800-685-4370).

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SESSION 10 Avoid Harm ike many spiritual practices, this one is affirmed by more than one religion as a powerful practice. Spiritual mentors from John Wesley to Buddhist monks declare avoiding harm to be the way of God, a path to wisdom.

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The prophet Isaiah had a great vision about God’s desire for us to live in right relationship by avoiding hurt and destruction, a vision that outlined where God’s plan for us is ultimately headed. We are called even now to cooperate with God toward the realization of this vision, even though we do not know when it will be fully realized. Part of living in the way of God involves avoiding harm. We can experience in part today what God has in mind for our ultimate future. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)

Sometimes Jesus speaks directly to our hearts about the suffering we cause even when we are sure we must be right. One extreme example of such a transformation can be seen in Saul, a religious man who terrified people and killed Christians in the name of God. Jesus helped Saul see the light. His eyes were opened. It is hard to believe that this man abandoned his persecutions to become one of the greatest teachers of God’s love for all people. Saul became the apostle Paul, one who no longer inflicted pain but who willingly suffered for the love of Christ and the love of others. Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 10: Avoid Harm

ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” (Acts 9:1-21)

More than a few people put down Christianity and other religions because they think religion is just about controlling people by telling them what not to do. But if God were interested in controlling us, we would be controlled. We would have absolutely no choice. God is not about control, but love. The call to avoid harm does not rob us of our freedom. It calls us to freedom. It’s our choice. I am among the first to agree that some Christians and other religious people can be overly stringent about certain things, which in itself causes hurt. However, most people are truly committed to simply avoiding real harm, either to oneself or to others. Freedom is living in a society with less hurt and destruction. Demanding a twisted right to harm creates slavery for both the victimizer and the victims, even if you are only victimizing yourself.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 10: Avoid Harm

Yes, the Ten Commandments and other teachings do urge us to avoid behaviors and ways of relating that have destructive natural consequences, but is that really a bad thing? Think about it. Isn’t avoiding harm a way to love? You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife [or husband], … or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:13-17) The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor [or to yourself, or to God]; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:9-10)

Keep in mind that small steps definitely make a big difference when it comes to avoiding harm and teaching others to do the same. Merely turning off a light when you leave the room constitutes avoiding harm to the earth, since rivers may be dammed or the earth torn up to get coal in order to produce electricity that was not even necessary. Love the natural world by avoiding harm to its resources. Love others by avoiding gossip so that someone’s reputation will not be harmed. Love yourself by avoiding skipping needed meals to keep you free from anorexia, or avoiding getting drunk so that you can think clearly and stay safe from harm, and so forth. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Avoid harm by being more conscious of your thoughts and actions. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: List ways you intentionally avoid harm. List other behaviors or reactions you would like to stop because you realize they cause harm. Write a prayer about this. For Further Study: Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds, by Flora Slosson Wuellner (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Release: Healing from Wounds of Family, Church, and Community, by Flora Slosson Wuellner (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 10: Avoid Harm

SESSION 11 Do Good here are obvious physical principles at work in the universe every day. Take, for instance, the law of gravity. Here on earth, if you step off a bridge high above the ground, you will fall down. It doesn’t matter whether or not you believe in this law of physics, gravity still exists. If you appreciate and cooperate with this natural law, you can have wonderful experiences like hang-gliding. The benefits of knowing how life works are enormous, but the consequences of ignoring its natural processes can be painful.

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Did you know that there are similar principles at work in the realm of relationships? Some ways of being will almost always build strong relationships and enhance life. The Bible refers to these principles in passages about “good.” Doing good is an act based on the natural laws of love. Jesus and other spiritual leaders teach key principles of living, the ideas at the heart of how life really works. Just as it is best if one recognizes the law of gravity, it is crucial to recognize the laws of love. When we cherish the principles of love by avoiding harm and doing good, we can experience the best life has to offer. We can refuse to believe in these laws of relationships, but in doing so we’ll suffer the natural consequences: unpleasantness which you’ve most likely seen and experienced. You may be of the opinion that principles of love and doing good may only apply in certain situations, but they are actually universal, no matter what you think or how you feel. The principles of love are obvious, if we but watch how life works. Perhaps the easiest method of identifying these principles is to first point out their opposites and identify what in our lives causes damage, what injures, what keeps us from being all we can be, what gets in the way of loving relationships, and what causes separation: things such as holding a grudge; stealing; ignoring, humiliating, denying, or rejecting someone or something; or being dishonest, proud, stubborn, mean, jealous, unfaithful, and so forth. This list represents what happens when we live as if love doesn’t matter, and the results of living this way are totally predictable: Somebody’s going to be hurting. Why do we pretend to be shocked when this happens and often try to place the blame elsewhere? We should realize that there are natural consequences to those unloving ways of treating others and creation. 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 11: Do Good

These attitudes are damaging because they steal away our joy. God desires only love and good for us, but we so often cause our own hardships and the hardships of others. Living without love is all the Bible is talking about when it speaks of evil or sin. Now think of the opposites of the qualities listed previously and you will discover some of the principles of love that make life and relationships work: being truthful, humble, accepting, flexible, forgiving, kind, giving, trustworthy, and honorable; rejoicing; listening; and taking time for selfexamination in the right spirit. Is it any wonder that Christianity and most other religions emphasize the practice of love and doing good? It’s the way life is meant to be lived. It’s the way the world is actually designed. Be proactive. There are so many ways to do good. Remember that just like the big acts of love, small gestures do matter. The difference living this way makes for our lives and for all life around us is clear. We’ve seen it. The beauty of spiritual leadership is that we have the great privilege to teach and encourage others to love and to do good on a consistent basis, not just once in a while, so that the benefits for everyone are multiplied many times over. Living according to the principles of love is not just a way of life, it is the way of life. Some guidance for spiritual leaders: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) Solid food [greater wisdom] is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14) Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God. (3 John 11) So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. (Galatians 6:10) For we are what he [God] has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:10)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 11: Do Good

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:8-11) No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Maker in heaven. (Matthew 5:15-16)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Do good today. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Write about a time when you imitated your peers or friends instead of leading and someone was hurt. Write about another time when you were spiritually mature enough to distinguish good from evil. For Further Study: A Ministry of Caring, by Duane A. Ewers (Discipleship Resources, 1999, 1-800-685-4370). Yours Are the Hands of Christ: The Practice of Faith, by James C. Howell (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 11: Do Good

SESSION 12 Pray here are so many ways to be with God, to talk with and listen to God. To pray simply means to spend time sharing your life with God and opening yourself for God to share with you. Just like with your closest friend, you can trust God with everything—the joys as well as the tough stuff. Prayer might even be just sitting together with God but not saying anything, just enjoying being in the presence of God. Prayer doesn’t need to be long and complicated. Jesus himself prayed often. Look how simple the prayer is that Jesus taught his disciples.

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He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.” (Luke 11:1-4)

When you need help finding a starting point in prayer, remember WITH GOD: W—Wisdom: Seek God’s guidance when you or others have a decision to make and need insight. Ask what God wants for you and the situation. I—Intercession: Pray in support of others. Let this be one way of caring. T—Thanksgiving: Thank God for all the good gifts of life. Share your excitement and joys. H—Hurt and Healing: Share your hurts, tears, struggles, and doubts, and ask God to help. You can trust God to help. G—Goals: Ask God to help you figure out what is most important in life and what contributions you can make through your talents and interests that would give life meaning for you and others. O—Open Yourself: Allow God to give you peace from your worries. Be still. Be quiet. Let God embrace you. D—Dedicate: Renew your dedication to God and to the way of love. Admit where you have gotten off track and caused pain to God, yourself, or others; and ask for God’s help to get back on track. 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 12: Pray

Jesus and other spiritual leaders make it a habit to pray. Jesus had times and places set aside to be with God regularly. Even during extremely difficult times Jesus went to God for guidance. He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” (Luke 22:39-46)

Sometimes we feel so overwhelmed, weak, or confused that we don’t know how to pray. Just like a friend who knows what we need, the Spirit is with us and senses our what is in our hearts. We can trust God that God loves us and will work for our good. Even if we have nothing profound to say, we can simply be with God in prayer. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:25-28)

A couple of other passages about prayer: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

Spiritual leaders are encouraged to pray without ceasing in order to enhance that awareness that God is with us always. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22) 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 12: Pray

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Choose a simple phrase like “Help me love others” or a brief scripture such as “God is love” that is meaningful to you. Say it over and over to yourself throughout the day as a way of speaking and listening to God. Or, every time you are walking to a meal, say a prayer while you walk. Find an event that occurs often and use it to remind you to pray. Or, every time a person walks by, pray a little prayer for him or her. These are ways to pray without ceasing. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Use the WITH GOD prayer tool to list those things you want to talk with God about. Remember that the point is to be with God, not just to complete an exercise. For Further Study: Praying With John Wesley, by David A. deSilva (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370). A Book of Personal Prayer, compiled (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

by

René

Bideaux

Dimensions of Prayer: Cultivating a Relationship With God, by Douglas V. Steere (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People, by Rueben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 12: Pray

SESSION 13 Join in Communion hortly before he died, Jesus initiated a special spiritual practice for his followers. Some people call this simple meal the Eucharist—thanksgiving and blessing. Others call it the Lord’s Supper—remembrance and re-experience. Still others call it Holy Communion—sacred oneness and unity. But how does Communion help us know God and be formed as Christian leaders?

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While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

First of all, the basic elements of this meal are common foods even among the poor of Jesus’ day. Instead of opting for fancy dishes, Jesus purposely chooses the everyday food and drink of the time. Meals themselves are part of our daily existence. The meaning here is that this meal is available to all. Notice that before they eat the bread or drink the wine, Jesus blesses it, he thanks God for it. Thanking God for the bread and drink is a recognition of its sacredness. It comes from God, so it is called the Eucharist—a meal of sacred thanksgiving. Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:19-20)

Jesus realized that he would be killed soon. This was the last time before his death that he would be together with his closest friends and followers. He wanted them to remember what his life was all about. He taught, proclaimed, lived, and ultimately died trying to get his message across: God loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. God forgives whatever you may have done in the past to hurt, when you failed to do the loving thing. Jesus declares that it is a day of new beginnings; that, with open arms, God embraces us. With this meal Jesus reasserted this message, essentially saying, “Believe it. Trust it, for this is the new promise or covenant that I am willing to give my life for.”

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 13: Join in Communion

Jesus was “God with us” willing to suffer in order to overcome any separation we may have from God. When he says, “Do this in remembrance of me,” the word remembrance means more than it does in modern English. Remembrance here means more than just to recall. It means to relive the love of God shown in Jesus. When we break the bread and drink the cup, we have the opportunity to re-experience God’s love and the presence of Jesus who is still with us. Jesus’ resurrection is God’s way of demonstrating that nothing will defeat love. Even today, whenever we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, the Lord dines with us in Spirit. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:15-17)

When we share in this meal, we proclaim that we are followers of Jesus. We declare our willingness to join him in spreading love throughout the world, even if it means that we may suffer for it sometimes. We are one with Jesus and his mission. If, then, Jesus unites us, then naturally we must be one with one another. We are all fed from the same loaf and drink from the same cup of God’s love. This love unites us with God and with each other, so the meal is called Communion (“united with”). Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Participate in Communion (arrange for a clergyperson to help). Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” What do you think he might have meant by that? For Further Study: Sacraments and Discipleship: Understanding Baptism and the Lord’s Supper in a United Methodist Context, by Mark W. Stamm (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370). The Meaning of Holy Communion in the United Methodist Church, by E. Byron Anderson (Discipleship Resources, 2000, 1-800-685-4370). Sunday Dinner: The Lord’s Supper and the Christian Life, by William H. Willimon (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 13: Join in Communion

SESSION 14 Search the Scriptures he Scriptures provide indispensable insight into the ways of God and the way of love. The Bible is a collection of writings by many different spiritual leaders from the Jewish and Christian faith communities. It includes teachings, real-life experiences, poetry, music, stories, messages calling for justice, letters, and accounts of Jesus’ life and its meaning. What makes these writings so important is that they are inspired by God. The writers and the communities in which they lived perceived God’s presence in the events they described and in the truth of key teachings, so they passed their beliefs along to new generations, first by word of mouth and then in writing. The Bible is a gift from God and those who have gone before us.

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The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” (Exodus 24:12) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

The Bible is not just a record of what happened in the past. The lessons that were learned from those long-ago experiences and the principles that were taught have application in our own lives, because many of the truths in Scripture are not limited to a particular time or place. This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. (2 Peter 3:1-2) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

Jesus himself knew the Scriptures of his day very well, and based some of his decisions and actions directly on them.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 14: Search the Scriptures

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:12-13)

The New Testament provides the best record of Jesus’ life, written by those who lived during or near the time when Jesus taught. These writings describe his purpose and teachings, which became the basis for Christianity. Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. … This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 20:30–21:25) Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you— unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:1-9)

The spiritual practice of searching the Scriptures is not just about reading the Bible, because it is possible to read the Bible and gain nothing. The Bible is more than literature—it contains messages from God for our own lives, if we seek them. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Open your Bible, and read John 8:2-11 once through to become familiar with the passage. Read it a second time, looking for the main points. What are the writers trying to pass down to new generations by including this story in the Bible?

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 14: Search the Scriptures

Read it a third time. This time search the scripture for a message for your own life or your own community. Read it with this question in mind: What is God saying to me through this passage about my life, the life of my community, and spiritual leadership? Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: After reading this passage from John, express in some way what you think its message is for our own time. Notice that in this case Jesus did not abide by the scriptural mandate, which was to stone a woman caught in adultery. Why not? On what basis do you think he made the decision to lead the way he did? What does this teach us about how we as spiritual leaders use the Bible? For Further Study: Companions in Christ: A Small-Group Experience in Spiritual Formation (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation, by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 14: Search the Scriptures

SESSION 15 Have Christian Conversations riends, small groups, and mentors play a major role in the development of all spiritual leaders. God often speaks to us through others who share our commitment to grow spiritually and follow the way of love. Having persons of faith to talk with and learn from is indispensable. Everyone needs a community of trusted people of faith who will listen thoughtfully to what we may be experiencing. Choose a few friends, a relative, or a mentor and allow them to get to know you well. Specifically, ask them to encourage you in living the kind of loving life you believe in. Commit to do the same for them. The heart-to-heart conversations you have and the practice of holding each other accountable will provide insight and inspiration that are missing when we try to go it alone.

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Covenant groups and friends share difficult burdens and celebrate great joys together in Christian conversation. Being able to reveal aspects of one’s life to supportive friends and to talk these things over with God in mind can make a huge difference in one’s spiritual growth. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2) If one member [of the Christian community] suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:26-27)

Helping one another get back on track when we veer off the path of spiritual development requires real trust and love. We need people who care deeply enough and who know us well enough to get to the heart of the issue and help us be honest with ourselves, and for whom we can do the same. Those who gently remind us to do what is best for our lives and for our spirits are lights in the darkness, and our commitment to prayer affirms God’s presence in the conversation. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 15: Have Christian Conversations

As a Christian community, we need to work together to develop true humility, to practice the skills of harmony even when we disagree, and to show one another honor. These practices are at the heart of Christian conversation and development. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. (Romans 12:16)

In our covenant groups, we should strive to share wisdom and speak truth. I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. (Romans 15:14) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:16-17) But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16)

We must encourage one another as friends who live the faith. Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin. (Proverbs 18:24) A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for God who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25) As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 15: Have Christian Conversations

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Have a conversation with a friend in the faith about God and about what’s going on in your life. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Sometimes I find it difficult to talk with friends about God, what I believe in, and what God may desire for my life because … The friends or mentors that I do have spiritual conversations with are … For Further Study: Finding a Spiritual Friend: How Friends and Mentors Can Make Your Faith Grow, by Timothy Jones (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Cultivating Christian Community, by Thomas R. Hawkins (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370). The Heart’s Journey: Christian Spiritual Formation in the Life of a Small Group, by Barb Nardi Kurtz (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 15: Have Christian Conversations

SESSION 16 Fast asting means to go without in order to return to God, and involves letting go of something in order to focus on what is most important in life. Going without food for a period of time is the most common form of fasting. It’s important to realize, however, that we may choose to refrain from other types of consumption, from things such as watching television, taking long showers, or driving a car. The possibilities for fasting are endless and can be an extremely helpful practice in maturing as a spiritual leader, as long as we remember the real reason for our actions.

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Fasting is a poignant reminder that all we have is from God. When we do without, we become keenly aware that we are not self-sufficient. All that we have or need comes from sources outside ourselves. Fasting calls us back to God. Deprivation invites us to ponder what is truly meaningful and to celebrate the source of all good gifts. This practice clarifies what is essential from what is frivolous. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:5-11)

This passage describes the reason for fasting: always to honor God and to remind us to share with those in need. Fasting is not just about us going without. When we are made aware of our own deep needs and God’s faithfulness through fasting, we also recognize the needs of others as well as of the world around us. Truly honoring God involves becoming more aware of our blessings and being willing to give away a portion of what we have in order that those with less may receive a fair portion of what God has 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 16: Fast

given to us all. Fasting then has two parts: 1)Trusting God to care for us, so that we are able to live without something for a period of time; and 2) Dedicating what is saved, whether it be food, time, or money, to God and those in need. For example, if you decided not to watch television for a month, you now have time available that would have been spent in front of the tube that you can dedicate to growing closer to God or to doing something to enrich the lives of others. “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18) “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14)

These passages show us that our motivation for fasting makes all the difference. If we fast as a way to appear “religious” or to feel superior to others, the benefits are completely lost. Humility plays a key role in this spiritual practice. Remember that since God knows your heart, you don’t need to prove anything to anyone else. Let your fasting experience help return you to your spiritual center in God and shape you in the way of love. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. (Matthew 3:16–4:2)

We read in the Scriptures that Jesus, the teacher we follow, utilized the spiritual practice of fasting. Like many other spiritual leaders, Jesus fasted when he faced hardship and needed to decide who he was going to be and what his life was going to be about. Fasting drew him close to God and helped him put things into perspective.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 16: Fast

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3)

Prayer is often an integral part of fasting. Again, we see fasting by the community as a step of preparation for spiritual leadership and important tasks to be done. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: From sunup until sundown today, go without food (unless a medical condition prevents this). Drink water only. Dedicate the time you would have spent preparing your meals and eating, along with any money saved, to growing closer to God and to enriching the lives of others and the world in which we live. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: What was it like to fast? What did it teach you about life and love? For Further Study: Climbing the Sycamore Tree: A Study on Choice and Simplicity, by Ann Hagmann (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Alternatives for Simple Living—www.simpleliving.org. Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian by Marjorie Thompson (Westminster Press, 1995).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 16: Fast

Spiritual

Life,

SESSION 17 Retreat Into Nature etreats allow one to get into a different space, away from distractions. As time set apart from normal responsibilities and requests, a retreat provides unique opportunities to focus on God and to find healing renewal for our souls. A retreat spent within the beauty and solitude of nature has long been a top choice by spiritual leaders. Somehow being in the midst of creation enhances the retreat experience, drawing us even closer to God.

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Jesus regularly retreated to be with God, even when people clamored for more of his time and energy. It was also his habit to retreat when he had important decisions to make or when he was hurting. Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles. (Luke 6:12-13) In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” (Mark 1:35-37) [As the time of his death neared] he [Jesus] came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. (Luke 22:39-43)

An examination of the benefits of time away does not fully explain the power of retreats into nature. Creation itself actually speaks of God, if we have the ears to hear. If everything is made through the Word of God, then all creation is a communication from God. Meister Eckhart, a well-known spiritual teacher, is said to have once described this by saying, “Every creature is a word to us from God and a word about God.” These understandings and connections have particular meaning for Christians, because the same Word that made all things is also the Word that lived among us in Jesus. In a significant way, creation cooperates with Jesus in revealing God if we retreat into it for more than recreation.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 17: Retreat Into Nature

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. … And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. … From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (John 1:1-5, 14, 16)

It is important to be clear that although nature reveals aspects of the Creator, nature is not God. The creation speaks of its Creator, and spending time surrounded by nature is one important pathway for getting to know God. Even the apostle Paul warns us not to worship nature as if it were God. A portion of the divine spark of life is within nature, including within human beings, and for these reasons nature is sacred, to be honored and regarded as a source of great spiritual wisdom. We are called to care for all of nature not simply because our physical survival as human beings is at stake, but because each part of nature is a word from God. We have no right to permanently silence an avenue of God’s presence and communication. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (Romans 1:19-25)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 17: Retreat Into Nature

God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, children of Mahol; his fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He would speak of trees, from the cedar that is in the Lebanon to the hyssop that grows in the wall; he would speak of animals, and birds, and reptiles, and fish. People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon; they came from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom. (1 Kings 4:29-34)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Find a place outdoors where you can get comfortable. Try to blend into that place. Look, feel, and listen. Use all your senses. Choose one thing to focus on that catches your interest. It might be an animal, a sound, a plant, a rock, the wind, the light. The possibilities are enormous. Now, study that part of creation intently. Notice everything you can about it. Ponder it. What does this aspect of nature reveal about God, or what might God be saying to us through this part of creation? What spiritual wisdom does it teach? Make it a habit to retreat into nature to listen for the voice of God. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Draw or illustrate in some way the aspect of nature that you chose to contemplate, and then write about the spiritual wisdom that you received from it. For Further Study: Sacramental Living: Falling Stars and Coloring Outside the Lines, by Dwight and Linda Vogel (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 17: Retreat Into Nature

SESSION 18 Journal and Write Letters piritual journaling is made up of two major components. First, you should record in a private journal what is happening around you and within you. Try to include both the good and the bad of your experiences. Discuss what inspires you and what dismays you. Second, pour out your heart to God, talk with God, and record what you sense God’s desire is for you within the situations that touch you.

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Some parts of the Bible read like a journal as they record major incidents in the lives of people seeking to follow God. The amazing thing about the Scriptures is that they don’t leave out the struggles, the mistakes, and the dishonorable events. It’s all there, mixed in with the joys, the acts of kindness, and the transformations. Even the heroes of the faith aren’t whitewashed. Through it all, we see God working in their lives to transform their thinking and their living. For example, King David committed a terrible wrong when he had an affair with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. When she became pregnant, David, in his fear of being found out, did even worse. Uriah was a loyal soldier, so David ordered Uriah’s superiors to send him into the most intense part of the battle. Uriah was killed, and David took Bathsheba as his wife after a period of mourning. When the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord … (2 Samuel 11:27)

Because this incident is not left out of the Bible, we have much deeper insight into David’s inner struggle and the kind of transformation that would take place within him over time. The next passage is an example of a poem David wrote. Since the Bible records both the good and bad in David’s life, we are able to see the impact God’s presence had upon him. We learn that it is possible to gain spiritual wisdom from past experience, and we realize that sometimes we do not recognize how God is moving in our lives right away. We only see this presence later, as we look back over our lives and the world around us.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 18: Journal and Write Letters

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance. O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:1-17)

Letter writing is another spiritual practice, one that is noteworthy in that the recipient can read the written thoughts over and over again as time passes by, learning more from each reading. We cannot always be with the people we love or those we teach, so letters (or e-mails) become a precious way to be in conversations with them about faith as it plays out in real life. Many books in the New Testament are actually letters written by spiritual 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 18: Journal and Write Letters

leaders to communities and people of faith whom they loved. Take time to peruse the books from Romans through Jude. Because these letters were written down and valued, even those of us reading them today are able to learn from them. [From] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is in Corinth, including all the saints throughout Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. (2 Corinthians 1:1-4) To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (1 Timothy 1:2) [From] Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. (Philemon 1-5)

The letters in the Bible are primarily instructive, written by a teacher who passes along wisdom to others. Letters can also be a dialogue among friends and relatives about one another’s lives and about the daily walk with God; these conversations can bring care, insight, and love across the miles. Looking back over letters that we have sent and letters that we have received can reveal quite a bit about our own growth as a person and can strengthen our ability to recognize God’s faithfulness in our lives. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Write a letter to a friend, mentor, or relative. Share a bit of your life and talk about what is happening spiritually for you now. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Look back over one or two experiences in your life. How do you perceive that God was with you? What did you learn from the experiences you chose to focus on? For Further Study: Journaling: A Spiritual Journey, by Anne Broyles (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). 3

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 18: Journal and Write Letters

SESSION 19 Give and Be Generous opular logic assumes that the more things and comforts we possess, the more we have. The more we get from others, the better off we are. The more we hoard, the richer our lives become.

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Spiritual wisdom considers all of this a lie, an illusion, nothing more than fear and an ongoing separation of ourselves from God. Blessings and abundant life flow in the acts of giving and receiving. If we interrupt the flow, we begin to die; and a failure to give once we have received has a significant negative impact on others, as well. Since wealth and possessions are only temporary, a life focused on accumulating these things will fade away into meaninglessness. The whole process of giving and receiving was set into motion by God, the One who gave everything that exists, making interdependence the essence of life itself. No one can be self-sufficient, because what we have is not ours and never has been. We cannot claim as our own what belongs to another. All we have is borrowed from God, and God is asking us to pass it on. We must act in the image of God. This is part of love and of what it means to be human, and those who trust and follow the lead of the Spirit will learn the blessings of generosity. The habit of acting generously prepares us to lead others in the way. Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17) Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water. (Proverbs 11:24-25) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6:36-38) Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:10-11) 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 19: Give and Be Generous

“He [Jesus] himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35) “No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Luke 16:13) If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3) As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:16-24) Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8) Do not eat the bread of the stingy; do not desire their delicacies; for like a hair in the throat, so are they. “Eat and drink!” they say to you; but they do not mean it. You will vomit up the little you have eaten, and you will waste your pleasant words. (Proverbs 23:6-8) He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44) 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 19: Give and Be Generous

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: What do you have that goes beyond your actual need? Share so that someone or something else can receive and enjoy the blessing. In this way, live abundantly and allow the flow of love to continue. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: One of the most important things that I ever received is … I am still learning to let go and share … For Further Study: Abundance: Joyful Living in Christ, by Marilyn Brown Oden (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Holy Smoke! Whatever Happened to Tithing? by Herbert Mather and J. Clif Christopher (Discipleship Resources, 2000, 1-800-685-4370). That’s What My Mother Taught Me … And Other Ways Generous Givers Develop, by Herbert Mather (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 19: Give and Be Generous

SESSION 20 Renew and Care for Yourself or some, a focus on self-care and renewal may seem like an inappropriate practice for spiritual leadership. One may think that we should never focus on ourselves, but only give away ourselves for others. The problem with this approach is twofold. First, unless we receive and renew, we will soon have little to offer. Our fatigue will create attitudes that steal away much of the good that we seek to do. Second, where in the Bible does it teach us not to love ourselves, not to do what is truly best for our own spirit? In fact, we are taught the opposite. We are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

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Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

For any who doubt the sacredness of rest and renewal, think about this. Even God rested from creativity. Perhaps God did not need rest, and yet God made rest a holy act. Rest not only renews, it dedicates time to enjoy the present, rather than constantly focusing on what we want to accomplish in the future. Rest is an act of trust, for it affirms that since God will provide, we do not have to labor without ceasing. Rest is such an important gift that God asks us to make sure that all of creation has the opportunity to rest from supplying our needs as human beings. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:2-3) Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. (Exodus 20:8-11) “Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:16-17) 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 20: Renew and Care for Yourself

Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land shall observe a sabbath for the LORD. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in their yield; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the LORD: you shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. You shall not reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your unpruned vine: it shall be a year of complete rest for the land. (Leviticus 25:2-5)

There are many other passages that provide insights about self-care, rest, and renewal. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. (Mark 6:30-32) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31) In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. (Ephesians 5:28-30)

We must understand who we are. Because God lives within us, it is even more important that we take care of ourselves and that we refrain from those things that would cause ourselves physical and spiritual harm. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? … God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Following God’s wisdom in developing spiritual habits is a choice that can provide great benefit. If we don’t walk the Lord’s path, we miss the benefit.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 20: Renew and Care for Yourself

Thus says the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Set aside a portion of your day to seek and celebrate God. Rest and do what renews your spirit, as a way to honor God. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Consider your health habits. What changes would you consider helpful for your own self-care and renewal? Make a list of what inspires and renews you. For Further Study: Feed My Shepherds: Spiritual Healing and Renewal for Those in Christian Leadership, by Flora Slosson Wuellner (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 20: Renew and Care for Yourself

SESSION 21 Provide Hospitality and Christian Community he practice of welcoming people, hosting people, and helping strangers become friends is essential to spiritual leadership. Since the time of Abraham, hospitality has been highlighted as God’s way. Leaders especially need to incorporate these habits so they become a way of being rather than a skill to use just once in a while. A spirit of hospitality goes a long way. If people do not know that you truly care and if you do not help them learn to care for each other, then they will not unite to work for the common good of all. A spirit of hospitality and a truly caring community have always been at the heart of the way of Christ. As we ourselves learn to welcome others, we as spiritual leaders should encourage others to adopt these practices as their way of life, too; for in showing hospitality to others, we meet God.

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The desert people of the Bible considered it an privilege to provide hospitality. The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves.” (Genesis 18:1-5)

God loves the stranger; therefore, so do we. We consider the stranger a brother or sister, for we have all been strangers ourselves and yet God loved us. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19) Remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. (Ephesians 2:12-14)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 21: Provide Hospitality and Christian Community

The Bible is full of reminders that the Lord watches over strangers. Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. … Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 146:1-2, 5-10)

The Scriptures teach us that hospitality is about being friends to strangers, until they do become friends. I was overjoyed when some of the friends arrived and testified to your faithfulness to the truth, namely how you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you; they have testified to your love before the church. … Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name. (3 John 3-15)

More than we realize, guests bless us as much or more than we bless them. Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1)

When we welcome strangers, we welcome members of God’s family and we literally welcome Christ. “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 21: Provide Hospitality and Christian Community

clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40)

Hospitality invites a person into a community that is attempting to live in love and harmony. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:5-7) Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:8-11)

How can our example of welcome create an atmosphere where people are more open to welcoming Christ into their everyday lives? Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. (Revelation 3:20)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Inspire the groups that you are a part of to genuinely welcome the stranger, and show hospitality to a stranger yourself. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Create or describe a symbol that represents Christian hospitality to you. For Further Study: Cultivating Christian Community, by Thomas R. Hawkins (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370). Discovering Community: A Meditation on Community in Christ, by Stephen Doughty (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). 3

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 21: Provide Hospitality and Christian Community

SESSION 22 Make Faith-full Decisions ome people believe that who we become is a direct result of what happens to us, that our experiences determine our destiny. Spiritual wisdom considers this only a partial truth. It is true that the situations we face shape us, but what is far more powerful is how we choose to respond to those situations. It is our decisions that set the direction. Think about this distinction very carefully.

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In the first view, human beings are seen as little more than victims with capacities so limited that we can only react to what happens. What one experiences “causes” a person to be a certain way. Victim talk goes like this: “There was nothing I could do. She kept taunting me. That made me mad, so I hit her,” or “My mother was an alcoholic, so it screwed me up for life.” The Bible has a much more positive view of humanity. The first chapter of Genesis states that we are made in God’s image. In this context this means that we have the ability to create—because we are made in the image of the Great Creator, we can imagine what does not yet exist and help bring it into existence. The bottom line is that we have been given the gift of choice. We may not always be able to choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we will respond. Stephen Covey, author of many books on leadership, calls this “response-ability.” Every spiritual leader must become acutely familiar with the sacred space that occurs between what happens to us and our response. It is there, in between, that we have the opportunity to transform or to be transformed. If we skip over or ignore the sacred space and just react blindly to what happens to us, we completely miss the opportunity to help create the kind of life we believe in. When something difficult or significant happens, it is important to pause—we may have days to pause, or sometimes only a moment or a minute. It is during this pause that we must stop to trust God and seek God’s guidance, and to consider what the loving thing is to do, what is best in the long run for our spirits and for the lives of others involved. It is this sacred space that allows our choices to incorporate Christian faith and become faith-full decisions. It is crucial to consider what God wants in a situation, to think beyond what we want or what those around us may want. There is often a difference 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 22: Make Faith-full Decisions

between what we feel urged to do and the way of love. If there is no sacred space, no opportunity taken to consider love and to create new possibilities, then how could Jesus ask us to do things such as love our enemy? It is in the sacred space that we seek God’s strength to do what is right and good. A passage we studied in an earlier session comes immediately to mind as a prime example of Jesus’ engaging in the spiritual practice of sacred space and faith-full decisions. Notice how Jesus takes time to discern the way of love before he responds. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.” (John 8:2-11) The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil. (Proverbs 15:28)

The spiritual practice of making faith-full decisions means pausing to ponder, to ask, to seek, to remember, and to figure out to the best of our ability what the desire of God is in each situation. What does God want here? What is the way of love? In the Bible, this is sometimes called “the will of God.” “Whoever does the will of God is my [Jesus’] brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) For this reason, since the day we heard it [of your love in the Spirit], we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 22: Make Faith-full Decisions

you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Colossians 1:9-12)

When we find it hard to know what to believe or what course of action to take, we may find the following four sources of spiritual wisdom, suggested by John Wesley, helpful: Scripture—What insight does the Bible have to offer? This is one reason why a regular practice of searching the Scriptures and knowing Scripture is so valuable. In the moment that we need it, we can remember it. We can also take time to study Scriptures when a decision can wait. Reason—Often we need to get more information from various sources before we can make an intelligent choice. We also have the ability to think through the likely results of a choice before we act. Once we act or respond, consequences are set into motion that cannot be taken back. What will be the end result of the various responses that we could make? Imagine the implications of each possible response before setting anything into motion, then choose wisely and lovingly. Experience—What does your own experience say about what is most prudent? What about the experience of trusted people whom you consider truly spiritually wise? Talk it over with them. Tradition—Over the centuries, spiritual teachers and the community of faith have found certain understandings and actions to be extremely helpful in guiding the way we live in various situations. Tap into these resources and writings. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Today, practice using sacred space and making faith-full decisions. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: I wish I would have taken sacred space before responding when … For Further Study: A Guide to Spiritual Discernment, by Rueben P. Job (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). 3

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 22: Make Faith-full Decisions

SESSION 23 Meditate he practice of meditation heightens awareness through a process of being still, embracing silence, and letting go. As we let go of distractions, we discover what is real. We experience oneness with life and the divine. Learning to be attentive to the present moment helps us to be more fully alive, in turn honoring Christ who came that we might have life more abundant. This idea may sound simple, but it takes lots of practice.

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Have you ever monitored your own thoughts? For most of us, our minds never seem to rest, constantly whirling through a stream of nostalgia, regrets, wishes, worries, comparisons, future plans, and so on. These meandering thoughts pull our focus to the past or to the future. The problem is that we cannot live in the past, for it is gone. Nor can we live in the future, for it does not yet exist. If we want to be truly alive, we must be present in the moment. We must learn to be attentive to what’s happening within us and around us right now. Otherwise, while we are distracted we lose touch with our lives. Our culture is obsessed with accomplishing more and more. We live in a blur of multi-tasking; for example, while listening to a friend, we may also be thinking through our tasks for the day. We make phone calls while we drive. We watch TV while we study. We rarely give undivided attention to any one thing, so that we’re never really being present. Part of meditation is learning to be still and to focus enough to actually experience life and to sense God. For instance, when we eat an orange, do we fully experience what it means to eat an orange? Do we notice the nuance of color, the feel of the skin as we peel it, the aroma, the splash of flavor, the coolness as the juice runs down our throat, the sense of gratitude we feel toward the orange and toward God for the refreshment? Now that is being alive—to experience all that would be to truly eat an orange. Many of us, then, have never really eaten an orange; we are much too preoccupied. Meditation invites us to empty ourselves. When we are empty, then God can fill us with peace, joy, patience, and other fruits of the Spirit. When we are full of distractions or unnecessary concerns, then there is little room for God’s Spirit to dwell in us, or for us to hear God’s voice within. 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 23: Meditate

Consider these Scripture passages as you think about the benefits of regular meditation: Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10) “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him. (1 Kings 19:11-13) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Find a comfortable, quiet place where you can sit and be alone. Spiritual teachers who practice meditation suggest that one basic way to begin is to become aware of your breathing. The breath is life. It is interesting that the word for breath in the Christian Scriptures means “spirit.” Relax, close your eyes, and focus on each breath you take. It is a free gift from God. Notice the peacefulness as you slowly breathe in and breathe out. Thoughts may come to your mind. Do not resist them. Notice them, then quickly let them go, and focus again on your breathing. This will keep you in the moment and fully alive, instead of caught in the past or future that does not now exist. Once you become more proficient at remaining aware of your breaths, you may add a phrase. As you breathe in, think, “My breath,” and as you breathe out, “A gift of God.” Remain aware that you are breathing and that you are in the presence of God. Do this for at least fifteen 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 23: Meditate

minutes. As you practice constant awareness through meditation, you will gain the capacity to be more present and aware in your daily life. When want to be more present in a situation, pause to notice your breathing and let that help you become more aware of the current moment. Like most spiritual practices, this is not so much a technique as it is a way of life. (There are lots of good books on meditation that can help you delve further into this spiritual practice. Some Buddhists are particularly adept at meditation, since this has been a key practice of their religious tradition for generations.) Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: When I meditated … For Further Study: Lilies of the Field: Meditations for the Church Year, by Wang Weifan (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Opening to God: Guided Imagery Meditation on Scripture, by Carolyn Stahl Bohler (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 23: Meditate

SESSION 24 Engage With Music and the Arts rt, whether it be music, dance, drama, or painting, touches something deep within us. It engages our spirit in a way that other activities do not. For many, art has become a part of their spiritual practice. They use art to express what words alone cannot. Art becomes a way to be in dialogue with God, to bring beauty into the world, and to speak a truth even if it is difficult to acknowledge. All this can be part of our dialogue with God as well as with all of life. If we use art intentionally, it can be an act of love, a spiritual practice that honors God.

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The writers and communities of the Bible included music and art in their spiritual expressions. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. (Colossians 3:16) O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works. (1 Chronicles 16:8-9) Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! (Psalm 150:1-6) David danced before the LORD with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. (2 Samuel 6:14-15)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 24: Engage With Music and the Arts

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. (Psalm 92:1-4) “With great pains I [David] have provided for the house of the LORD one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone too I have provided. To these you must add more. You have an abundance of workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of artisans without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you.” David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon, saying, “Is not the LORD your God with you? Has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD and his people. Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Go and build the sanctuary of the LORD God so that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 22:14-19)

The use of art as a spiritual practice may mean that you create, perform, or participate in music, art, or drama as a way of growing spiritually and inspiring others. Or, you may be more inclined to listen to or observe what others have done and thus receive a spiritual insight or message. A great deal of art, drama, and music has a spiritual benefit, if we but engage in the arts with God in mind. Some profound messages from God can even come through art forms that were not designed by the artist for that purpose. The world of art presents us with so many possibilities. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Write, create, or perform art as a way of seeking and honoring God. Observe or listen to religious music, art, or drama and focus on how it reveals and honors God. Find non-religious CDs, movies, works of art, and so forth, that you like that express a spiritual truth about life and love.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 24: Engage With Music and the Arts

Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Express your love for God artistically. Reflect on a piece of music, art, or drama, whether it be specifically religious or not, and write down your thoughts about how it connects with the way of Christian faith and love. How can you share this with others? For Further Study: Reading With Deeper Eyes: The Love of Literature and the Life of Faith, by William H. Willimon (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 24: Engage With Music and the Arts

SESSION 25 A Review of Spiritual Habits n our sessions thus far we have learned two essentials of spiritual leadership. First, spiritual refers to God and the way of God. The way of God is love, and so this special kind of leadership is unashamedly based on love. Second, we cannot lead spiritually unless we remain connected with the Spirit of God, since we need God’s Spirit in order to gain the wisdom and strength to lead. So in the preceding sessions, we have looked at spiritual practices that many seekers have found to be gifts from God to help us know God. These holy habits prepare us to actually live what we are learning.

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A mere introduction to a spiritual practice, though, is not a spiritual practice. A practice is an ongoing habit that we do repeatedly and consistently that shapes us and that frees us to be persons of love and spiritual leaders. The list of spiritual practices and pathways that have been covered in earlier sessions follows. Review this list as you strive to develop as a leader in the way of love. Use the list to return to previous sessions to get an overview of each practice (session number is in parentheses). • Worship With a Community of Faith (9) • Avoid Harm (10) • Do Good (11) • Pray (12) • Join in Communion (13) • Search the Scriptures (14) • Have Christian Conversations (15) • Fast (16) • Retreat Into Nature (17) • Journal and Write Letters (18) • Give and Be Generous (19) • Renew and Care for Yourself (20) • Provide Hospitality and Christian Community (21) • Make Faith-full Decisions (22) • Meditate (23) • Engage With Music and the Arts (24) Keep in mind that these practices are only spiritually useful if you are intentionally seeking God and the way of love through each discipline. In these circumstances they will, without a doubt, transform you and your leadership. Otherwise, they have limited value. 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 25: A Review of Spiritual Habits

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Choose two to four of the spiritual disciplines that you are willing to intentionally and consistently practice for at least the next two months. You can add others as you are able, but the point is to be consistent with your practice. Each discipline has its own beauty and benefit, so engaging in a number of them will contribute to a well-balanced spiritual diet. Which ones capture your interest or seem best for your own spiritual growth right now? What are you willing to practice that you are not now practicing consistently? Which would make the biggest difference in enhancing your faith, your leadership, and your service right now? Early in a practice, before it becomes fully a part of who we are, it is extremely beneficial to be specific about how often we will do it. Writing our plans in our day planners or in notes to ourselves serves as a reminder and helps us to be consistent. Sharing our new commitment with a supportive friend or relative, asking that person to check in regularly and to encourage us to keep up the practice also goes a very long way. A Covenant With Myself and God With the Spirit’s help, I will intentionally and consistently engage in the spiritual practices listed below. I do so in order to become a more loving person and a more effective spiritual leader. The Spiritual Practice

Frequency (circle one)

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Daily

Weekly

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Daily

Weekly

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Daily

Weekly

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Daily

Weekly

and continue consistently for two months, I will begin on (date) . At the end of these two months, I will evaluate my until (date) progress and make a new plan for my spiritual growth and practice. Signed: _______________________

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Today’s date: ___________

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 25: A Review of Spiritual Habits

Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: I specifically chose each of these spiritual practices because … The people whom I will ask to help me keep up the practice are: For Further Study: Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition, by Steve Harper (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Invitation to Presence: A Guide to Spiritual Disciplines, by Wendy Miller (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 25: A Review of Spiritual Habits

SESSION 26 The Mission of Spiritual Leadership n earlier sessions we emphasized love as the way of God and introduced spiritual practices that help us walk with God. We are now ready to build upon this foundation with specific lessons in spiritual leadership from the Scriptures that will provide additional wisdom and tools to expand our effectiveness as spiritual leaders.

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The mission of Christian leadership seems a very appropriate place to begin. The word mission, in this context, refers to the most essential priorities. What are the unchanging primary goals that distinguish spiritual leadership from other types of leadership? What is so integral to Christian leadership, that, if we neglect it, we fail to be Christian leaders? It is vital to our very identity that we name and keep the core priorities of spiritual leadership before us as guiding principles. The following scriptural excerpts may help you as you work out your own statement of what spiritual leadership is all about. These passages include descriptions of what God desires and of Jesus’ mission and own spiritual leadership. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He [Jesus] said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40) As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:9-13) “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:37-38)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 26: The Mission of Spiritual Leadership

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:18-20) When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. Jesus stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:10-11, 16) “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40) He [God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Reread the passages above very carefully, then write down a couple of words that capture the main points of each passage. After doing this, choose a few of the main points that you believe should be included in the central purpose of spiritual leadership. 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 26: The Mission of Spiritual Leadership

Write your own statement of what spiritual leadership is all about. Keep it simple (no more than two sentences) so that you can memorize it. Often the most profound truths can be stated without a lot of words. “The mission or purpose of spiritual leadership is …” Center your life and your leadership around that mission. All that you do as a spiritual leader should help fulfill, in one way or another, that purpose. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Record your mission or purpose statement in your journal, listing which passages of Scripture underlie your thinking. For Further Study: Faithful Leadership: Learning to Lead With Power, by Thomas R. Hawkins (Discipleship Resources, 1999, 1-800-685-4370).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 26: The Mission of Spiritual Leadership

SESSION 27 Temptation t may seem strange to proceed straight from a discussion of the mission of spiritual leadership to a session on temptation. But all people who take on leadership responsibilities will most likely have to wrestle with temptation at some point. Leadership gives us influence, since people trust us enough to follow our lead, and leadership opens up opportunities of all kinds. All of this brings temptations. We must be savvy enough to recognize that like Jesus we must somehow respond to temptations. We must identify our motivations and decide if we will set aside the mission of spiritual leadership for our own personal benefit.

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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. (Matthew 4:1-11)

What were the temptations that Jesus faced? • Using his position and authority to focus primarily on his own material needs and wants. He responded, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” • Taking outlandish risks or engaging in self-destructive behaviors, expecting to be rescued by God and the community. He responded, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” • Gaining great power over others, if he would just honor and serve other things besides God. He responded, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 27: Temptation

Satan, or the devil, represents the urge to abandon who we are as people of God, to remove the Spirit of Love from our leadership. We should not underestimate this force; whether we name it Satan or something else, all leaders wrestle with it. We must practice counteracting temptation with spiritual practices and deliberate decisions to maintain our own identity and mission as spiritual leaders, rather than following models of leadership that ignore God’s desire for people and creation. Other passages on temptation and testing include: My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. (Galatians 6:1) Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and God tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:12-15) Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:6-11) So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. (James 1:2-5)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 27: Temptation

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: As you lead, monitor both your thoughts and the suggestions of others. What temptations do you face to put other motives and priorities before what God desires for you and others? Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: I think that some of the greatest temptations that spiritual leaders face are … Some temptations that I wrestle with are … For Further Study: Forming Faith in a Hurricane: A Spiritual Primer for Daily Living, by N. Graham Standish (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 27: Temptation

SESSION 28 Leadership as Service esus had some radical ideas about leadership. From his perspective, a leader is not one who is served, but one who serves. This is a marked departure from many concepts of leadership in which greatness is equated with the ability to order others around and a position as the center of attention. This is not so with spiritual leadership.

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The truly powerful are those who use their influence and abilities to serve the common good. Only those who are free can choose to serve, rather than being forced to serve. To be a leader, one must let go of pride, which involves raising yourself up by putting others down. One must choose to be a servant, which requires true inner strength and genuine humility. Spiritually speaking, humility is not about debasing yourself. Instead, it is knowing your worth while simultaneously lifting or honoring others, and foregoing the idea of status in order to help in ways that are really needed. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28) Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11) I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 28: Leadership as Service

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-35) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:10) At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:1-5) Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1 Peter 3:8) If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11) When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble. (Proverbs 11:2) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3) As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 28: Leadership as Service

A person’s pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (Proverbs 29:23)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Look for opportunities to serve and you will find your opportunity to lead. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Write a paragraph on how pride has affected your life, and then write a paragraph on how genuine humility has had an impact on you. For Further Study: Faithful Leadership: Learning to Lead With Power, by Thomas R. Hawkins (Discipleship Resources, 1999, 1-800-685-4370). Servant Leadership: A Journey Into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness, by Robert Greenleaf (Paulist Press, 1977).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 28: Leadership as Service

SESSION 29 Compassion n order to be an effective spiritual leader, one must develop a keen ability to listen and to recognize true need. A sensitivity to loss, pain, and difficulty should ignite the spark of compassion. The word compassion has a very special significance. If we break the word into two parts we find “com,” meaning “with,” and “passion,” which means “feeling.” Compassion translates as “feeling with.” In other words, if we are compassionate, we connect ourselves with those who are suffering, putting ourselves into the other person’s shoes as much as possible. If we are truly compassionate, we don’t distance ourselves emotionally, as some do who express pity for others. Those people can say, “Poor, poor you,” and that’s the end of it, because they don’t feel “with” another’s suffering.

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Spiritual leaders learn to appreciate the oneness of all of life, and therefore are often able to share in another’s pain rather than simply acknowledging it. But this sensitivity to hardship should not incapacitate a leader. The point is not to be overwhelmed by grief, but rather to be moved to change the roots of the suffering. The spirit of compassion moves us to work with God and others to create a better future by envisioning ways to ease or meet true needs. The task of a spiritual leader is to help others catch a glimpse of the way things could be if, with God’s help, we all work together to make it happen. Spiritual leadership is about creating a shared vision, a picture of a future that inspires the imagination and cooperation of others. Accomplishing this vision may take incredible wisdom, time, and resources, but this is where faith in God comes in. Most significant visions require the help of others— we can’t make them happen on our own. Spiritual leaders are called to lead others in creating positive change for the common good. Perhaps we can’t see these changes right away, but they are taking shape through our holy dreams of a better world. Spiritual leaders must encourage people to dream dreams; we must listen to people’s yearnings in order to draw a picture of what the future can be like if we meet true need with the tremendous love of God. A true compassionate vision is indispensable.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 29: Compassion

Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. (Joel 2:28) Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and victimized, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38) If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1-4) There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:30-34) Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Hear, my child, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way. (Proverbs 23:18-19) During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. (Acts 16:9-10) My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, you will find a future, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 24:13-14) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 29: Compassion

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. (Titus 3:4-8) Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, my LORD has forgotten me.” Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I [the LORD] will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:13-15)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: What true needs do you see that you would like to help ease? Choose one and begin to rally others to work with God to create a brighter future. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: I would like to help create a brighter future by … For Further Study: The Workbook on Loving the Jesus Way, by Maxie Dunnam (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 29: Compassion

SESSION 30 Asking Others to Join ou can’t lead if no one follows. It’s a simple yet profound truth. If you want to help the world by leading, you must ask people to get involved. Have courage. Even Jesus had to ask people to follow him. When you know that your goal is worthy of God and that you yourself are actively committed to it, then proceed to recruit both friends and strangers to follow.

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You will be surprised at how many people are willing to work if you only ask. Keep asking God and others to help. Not everyone will join in, but that doesn’t matter. Support those who will. If you follow the lead of Jesus and the way of God, then you can lead others with confidence. As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:18-23) As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. (Mark 2:14-15) Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” (Luke 9:23-25) Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. (Matthew 19:16-22) 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 30: Asking Others to Join

Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him … and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. (Mark 15:39-41) John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:49-50) The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” (John 1:43-47) “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Ask others to join you in growing closer to God and in doing something specific to enrich the lives of those around you. What is on the hearts of those who join you? Perhaps they will lead you as you lead them. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: The people I will first ask to join with me are: Pray for these people. For Further Study: Faithful Leadership: Learning to Lead With Power, by Thomas R. Hawkins (Discipleship Resources, 1999, 1-800-685-4370). 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 30: Asking Others to Join

SESSION 31 Integrity here are many nuances to what it means to be a person of integrity, but they all have to do with being real. We must commit ourselves to truthfulness, to love, and to living what we teach. Those who talk but never act have no integrity. We must do what we say we will do, staying reliable and focused on what is really important. We must avoid creating rules and burdens that choke out love. We should admit our shortcomings and grow as we would like others to grow. A person with integrity is trustworthy, so we need to make sure our motives match our practice. We need to work at being a person of God, not halfway but as a way of life. The more consistently we strive to become people of integrity, the more influence we will have as leaders. The opposite is also true, of course. If we fail to have integrity, people will turn away.

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Keep in mind that there are subtle forms of dishonesty that undermine integrity. If we exaggerate, speak in half truths, or hide information, over time others lose trust in us. One of the biggest complaints and sources of disillusionment about spiritual leaders regards those who are perceived as being hypocrites. Be aware that leaders are held to a higher standard. While we all fail from time to time, “hypocritical” leaders are those who fail frequently to “practice what they preach” or who even lie outright. The biblical word for hypocrite refers to an actor—someone who pretends to be someone he is not. Deception erodes integrity, undermining all our efforts at leadership. The following are words of wisdom and warning related to integrity. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:16-18) Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 31: Integrity

We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:14-16) “Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” (Matthew 7:4-5) We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:16-20) Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but the one who rebukes boldly makes peace. (Proverbs 10:9-10) The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing, but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity. (Proverbs 14:32) Many proclaim themselves loyal, but who can find one worthy of trust? The righteous walk in integrity—happy are the children who follow them! (Proverbs 20:6-7) Better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich. (Proverbs 28:6) Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, honesty, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us. (Titus 2:7-8) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi.” (Matthew 23:1-7)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 31: Integrity

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!” (Matthew 23:23-24)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Start by being honest with yourself. Where does what you say or do not match up with the way of love and with what you say you believe? As a spiritual leader, choose to make some positive steps toward being a person with greater integrity. Ask God to help. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Sing the song “Sanctuary” as a prayer several times, asking the Lord to help you be a “living sanctuary.” Write honestly to God about your own integrity as a spiritual leader, including both the joys and the struggles. I will be more trustworthy as a leader working with others, and I will live in ways that are more consistent with the love of Christ by ... For Further Study: Ambition in Ministry: Our Spiritual Struggle With Success, Achievement, and Competition, by Robert Schnase (Abingdon Press, 1993). Principle-Centered Leadership, by Stephen R. Covey (Simon & Schuster, 1992).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 31: Integrity

SESSION 32 Inner Thoughts hat we nurture inside ourselves eventually comes to life. Whether or not our leadership and our lives are ultimately good and productive or ineffectual depends in large part upon what goes on within us. We can start by asking ourselves which thoughts we hold on to. Any thought, good or bad, might come into our minds; it’s the choice about which thoughts we will feed and treasure that makes all the difference. Thoughts that take up residence in our hearts become part of our being. Such thoughts become intentions, and intentions become actions, until our lives reflect our thoughts. Will our thoughts and intentions be good or destructive in the long run?

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Listen to your thoughts often. Examine what goes on in the secret places of your heart. Let go of thoughts that draw you away from love and away from the kind of spiritual leader and person you want to be, the person God wants you to be. Treasure those inspirations and thoughts that encourage you to be a true spiritual leader. Remind yourself constantly to choose the best thoughts. Look at the groups that you are a member of. What thought patterns can you see at work within the group? Can you be a leader and help the group examine their way of thinking in order that they can think, talk, and act in ways that are truly beneficial? Give it a try, but do so with humility and caring honesty. Sometimes we will all fail in our efforts. But God is gracious and forgives us, giving us endless opportunities to get back on track in our thinking and consequently in our living. Ask God to help you so that you can be more and more in tune with what is truly spiritually best for yourself, others, and the natural world. Thank God with humility for leading you in the way. You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. … Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:6, 9-10)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 32: Inner Thoughts

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the bowl, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.” (Matthew 23:25-26) My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:20-23) He [Jesus] said to them, “Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:18-23)

Remember, our inner thoughts and intentions can also be good and loving, thus producing very different outcomes. Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. (James 4:1-2) The LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. (Genesis 6:5-6) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 32: Inner Thoughts

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:21-23) “Eye” here refers to

our inner desires and priorities. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. … If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23, 25) Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Today, monitor your thoughts intentionally. Let go of thoughts you know are not beneficial, so they don’t become part of who you are or of the groups you lead. Before you say or do something, examine whether or not the thinking behind those actions is sound from the point of view of Christian love. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Create a work of art that illustrates good thoughts you (or a group you belong to) have that you want to feed and nurture. Include thoughts you want to let go of, thoughts that don’t really help or are not worthy of precious moments of your life. For Further Study: Journaling: A Spiritual Journey, by Anne Broyles (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). A Wakeful Faith: Spiritual Practice in the Real World, by J. Marshall Jenkins (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Prayer, Stress, and Our Inner Wounds, by Flora Slosson Wuellner (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 32: Inner Thoughts

SESSION 33 Planting Seeds piritual leaders plant seeds. We speak about the love of God and then put that love into action to the best of our understanding through relationships with other people and with the natural world. We act in the hope that our gestures, invitations, and words will encourage others to join in, so that love may multiply far beyond ourselves. Keep these things in mind as you work as a spiritual leader.

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Sometimes as leaders we long for something great and magnificent to do, but it seems that more often great things grow from small beginnings. Everyday words, dreams, and acts of love have a way of growing far beyond what we imagine, especially when God is involved. He [Jesus] put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)

If we aren’t careful, we can plant the wrong seeds, which produce outcomes very different from what we hope for. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10) The idea of “flesh” had a

unique meaning in its original language. One simple understanding of what is meant by “flesh” is a total disregard for God and others—putting yourself and your desires at the center of all things in a way that ultimately causes damage to yourself and life around you. Those who are kind reward themselves, but the cruel do themselves harm. The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward. (Proverbs 11:17-18) “Righteousness” refers to right relationships—relating

with love. Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. (Hosea 10:12)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 33: Planting Seeds

Planting can be hard. Some seeds we plant will not develop, hindered by timing, receptivity, or circumstances. Leaders who feel the need to succeed every time will soon get disillusioned and become ineffective. The secret is to keep planting the seeds; because some seeds will definitely grow and produce great benefit. The next passage contains the good news that God cares for us, forgives us, and calls us to new ways of relating; we see this in what Christ taught and how he lived. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” And he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” … And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? … The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” (Mark 4:2-20)

Spiritual leaders must avoid being concerned with who receives the credit for the good that grows. Perhaps an idea or a project begins with you and then another leader sees that idea and builds upon it. Since God is the source of all the good and its growth, it does not matter, for example, whether Apollos or the apostle Paul gets credit. We should rejoice in what God is doing wherever it appears, and continue to work together. Bickering and jealousy among churches and leaders is not the way of love.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 33: Planting Seeds

For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:3-9)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Intentionally plant some seeds of love today through the many small opportunities to say and do what will produce good among your family, friends, those who live in your town, and even the whole creation. Ask God to guide you and to help these seeds grow and produce more. There is a source beyond us that makes things grow, that life force that comes from God. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Imagine Jesus handing you a bag of seeds to plant in the world. You have only your lifetime to plant the seeds. What are the many different kinds of seeds in the bag? (for example, the seed of sharing) List as many as you can think of. Do you feel that in your life the seeds are still in the bag or are you intentionally and continually sowing and planting them? Use all the ideas in this session to write a “Sower’s Prayer” and talk with God about it. For Further Study: Called by a New Name: Becoming What God Has Promised, by Gerrit Scott Dawson (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Communion, Community, Commonweal: Readings for Spiritual Leadership, edited by John S. Mogabgab (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 33: Planting Seeds

SESSION 34 Recognizing Diversity rue spiritual leadership recognizes and celebrates the different contributions people make. God has designed life in such a way that no individual can even come close to doing it all. No one is self-sufficient, not anyone. The key is for us to realize our oneness in God. God reinforces that reality by distributing personalities, activities, ways to serve, abilities, and other gifts so that we are interdependent. This same truth plays out in the whole creation, where we can see the interdependency of all of life. All gifts come from God and are beneficial, so claiming to be better than another makes no sense, nor does wishing to be someone else. There are even different forms of leadership, so that all leaders are not all the same. There is no single way to lead.

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A leader’s role, therefore, is not to do or be everything, but to rally people to contribute their uniqueness for the common good. We help people discover and appreciate their own uniqueness, and we facilitate opportunities for people to share what they have to contribute in order to benefit the whole community. The leader should remind the group to honor each other, especially those who may not be appreciated enough. We need to encourage people with skills to teach others who have similar interests and aptitudes, in order to expand the sharing and to help people find meaning in their lives by being able to contribute to the common good. What do the following passages teach us about giftedness? How do the insights in these texts shape how we understand our role in leading others? For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:4-10)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 34: Recognizing Diversity

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:4-30) The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 34: Recognizing Diversity

All the skillful women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun in blue and purple and crimson yarns and fine linen; all the women whose hearts moved them to use their skill spun the goats’ hair. And the leaders brought onyx stones and gems to be set in the ephod and the breastpiece, and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. All the Israelite men and women whose hearts made them willing to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done, brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD. (Exodus 35:25-29) Then Moses said to the Israelites: See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; he has filled him with divine spirit, with skill, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every kind of work done by an artisan or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and in fine linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of artisan or skilled designer. (Exodus 35:30-35) By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Think about the groups you are a member of. What are the unique gifts and abilities of the other people in these groups? How can you inspire and encourage them to share their gifts in meaningful ways for the common good? Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: There are different forms of leadership. What form does your leadership take? For Further Study: Equipped for Every Good Work: Building a Gifts-Based Church, by Barbara Miller and Dan R. Dick (Discipleship Resources, 2001, 1-800-685-4370). Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts: Building up the Body of Christ by the Gifts of the Spirit, by Charles V. Bryant (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 34: Recognizing Diversity

SESSION 35 Shaping New Leaders he Scriptures are clear—no spiritual leader leads alone. Part of the task of leadership is to prepare others to lead with us in order to expand the work that is being done for the common good. Jesus gathered disciples and taught them to become leaders themselves. Moses nearly exhausted himself trying to do it all, before finally taking the advice of his in-laws to engage other leaders to help. Nehemiah depended heavily on other leaders to accomplish the rebuilding of wall around Jerusalem—a task impossible to do alone.

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One way to increase the number of leaders working for the common good is to actively train new leaders. Invite them to lead, then demonstrate how to do what needs to be done. After they’ve observed how you lead, work with them until they get the hang of it. Finally, step back and let them lead while you watch. Throughout this entire process, support the new leaders. When they are ready, give them authority and encourage them in their efforts to lead. Jesus followed this model with his disciples, even sending these new leaders out two by two to support each other. Another way to increase the number of leaders is to find people are already leaders, like Moses and Nehemiah did. Look for women and men with character, who are trustworthy, loving, and respected by others. Second, seek those with skills. For example, if you need to teach low-income children how to use computers, it is not enough to recruit a leader who is kind and caring but who knows absolutely nothing about computers. Keep in mind that you can always teach someone how to use a computer so that they can then teach others. It is much harder to teach someone to be a good person, if he or she isn’t. In this way, character and skill combine with love of God and neighbor to produce spiritual leadership. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them … The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. (Mark 6:7-13, 30-31) 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 35: Shaping New Leaders

The next day Moses sat as judge for the people, while the people stood around him from morning until evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?” Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God; teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Let them sit as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will go to their home in peace.” So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. And they judged the people at all times; hard cases they brought to Moses, but any minor case they decided themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went off to his own country. (Exodus 18:13-27) The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. They replied, “The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. … So I went up by way of the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest that were to do the work. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer disgrace. I told them that the hand of my God had been gracious upon me, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us start building!” So they committed themselves to the common good … Then the high priest Eliashib set to work with his fellow priests and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors; they consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and as far as the Tower of Hananel. And the men of Jericho built next to him. And next to them Zaccur son of Imri built. The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah son 2

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 35: Shaping New Leaders

of Hakkoz made repairs. Next to them Meshullam son of Berechiah son of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs. Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. Next to them repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite—the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah—who were under the jurisdiction of the governor of the province beyond the River. Next to them Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. (Nehemiah 1:1–3:8) A long list of other names continues after this passage

about those who helped take the lead on other sections of the wall. Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Identify one or more people with leadership potential and work with them to do something for the common good. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Write about and pray for the people who helped you learn to lead. For Further Study: Heart and Soul: A Guide to Spiritual Formation in the Local Church, by Larry J. Peacock (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Faithful Leadership: Learning to Lead With Power, by Thomas R. Hawkins (Discipleship Resources, 1999, 1-800-685-4370).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 35: Shaping New Leaders

SESSION 36 Leading Wholeheartedly f you want more opportunities to be in leadership, the key is to do what you say you will do, and do it with love and quality effort. Do small tasks very well and you will be given more responsibility. If you have no intention of following up a promise with love and quality effort, or if you simply don’t have the time, energy, or resources because of other leadership commitments, learn to decline gracefully. You have already said yes to other things. However, be sure to always consider what is truly important so that you spend your time on what is most valuable.

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Those who never become aware that this is the key to how life works will have fewer and fewer opportunities to lead. This is just a natural consequence to their saying yes to a commitment, and then not showing up or neglecting, postponing, or doing poorly what they said they would do. Effective spiritual leaders learn when to say yes and when to say no. If you say yes and fail to follow through, then your opportunities for leadership shrink. Or, if you continually say no to everything and bury your leadership ability, people will tire of asking you and will seek someone else. “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 36: Leading Wholeheartedly

from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’” (Matthew 25:14-29) “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-29) We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints—and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you. Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something—now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. (2 Corinthians 8:1-12) When you make a vow to God, do not delay fulfilling it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5) Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 5:12)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Do what you say you will do with love and quality effort.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 36: Leading Wholeheartedly

Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: List the leadership opportunities that you have said yes to. Which ones are you fulfilling well and which ones get only halfhearted attention? Thank God for the opportunities you have been given and celebrate those chances to do something meaningful. Then assess those opportunities that receive only halfhearted attention. Do you feel that you need to seek forgiveness for failing to follow through and then work to turn the situation around, or is it a case of having said yes when you should have said no? Perhaps it would be best to decline opportunities such as these up front. It may be time to ask to be relieved of certain commitments so that you can take on something that really matters to you, that you sense God desires. Pray about these things and seek God’s guidance. Use the session on faith-full decisions (Session 22) to aid your decision-making process. For Further Study: Faithful Leadership: Learning to Lead With Power, by Thomas R. Hawkins (Discipleship Resources, 1999, 1-800-685-4370). Leading With Soul: An Uncommon Journey of Spirit, by Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal (2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2001).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 36: Leading Wholeheartedly

SESSION 37 Justice ustice matters to God. We cannot separate our relationship with God from the way we relate personally to others, especially to those who are poor, oppressed, or less powerful. Justice involves a fair distribution of the bounty that God provides for all. Justice means making decisions that respect the sacred value of the person, rather than placing matters such as financial means or power as the decisive concern. Where a lack of justice often involves the desire for material gain, pursuing justice means joining those who have the least. To do this, we must recognize the existence of privilege that encourages us to treat others unequally, whether passively or actively. The pursuit of justice is hindered when we remain isolated from others in different socioeconomic classes. We must participate in intentional relationships with the poor and the victims of discrimination in order to gain wisdom and insight. It is in relating to the poor and marginalized with humility, that we will learn what the issues of justice are from the people themselves. As spiritual leaders we should commit our lifestyle to becoming a better reflection of loving justice. Even those of us in the United States with modest incomes are still among the wealthiest by world standards. Pursuing justice is really a matter of being family, for all those in need are part of Christ’s family.

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Spiritual leaders commit themselves to pursuing justice by rallying others to work toward an entire society that is just. This is why people who take Christ seriously also care who is elected to positions of influence and what their goals are for leadership. People of faith do try to shape laws and to make sure that judicial systems operate fairly. Since laws reflect the values of a nation, so Christians participate in politics—the setting of public policy. Spiritual leaders should be concerned with whether or not our local, national, and international statutes are sensitive to those who are marginalized, and should continually seek to advocate justice in our legal system. Issues of justice can be complex, but pretending that we have no power to create positive change dishonors God. Even if we aren’t sure whether or not public leaders will listen, we still must speak. It is in the act of calling for justice and living our lives more in tune with that vision that we walk with God. Love and justice are inseparable. Sharing in suffering is part of justice. Spiritual leaders must realize, however, that those who work for justice often meet opposition when those who are benefiting from injustice 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 37: Justice

are put on the offensive—even the oppressed themselves may question a leader’s sincerity. Working for justice requires much perseverance, strength, and faith. You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in their lawsuits. (Exodus 23:6) When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers. (Proverbs 21:15) For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:17-18) He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you judge not on behalf of human beings but on the LORD’s behalf; he is with you in giving judgment. Now, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care what you do, for there is no perversion of justice with the LORD our God, or partiality, or taking of bribes.” (2 Chronicles 19:5-7) Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous. … For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. (Psalm 33:1-5) The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. (Psalm 103:6) “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:2-4) For scoundrels are found among my people; they take over the goods of others. Like fowlers they set a trap; they catch human beings. Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of treachery; therefore they have become great and rich, they have grown fat and sleek. They know no limits in deeds of wickedness; they do not judge with justice the cause of the orphan, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD, and shall I not bring retribution on a nation such as this? (Jeremiah 5:26-29)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 37: Justice

Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:22-24) He [God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others.” (Luke 11:42) He [Jesus] said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” (Luke 18:2-5) Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Get out and spend time among the poor—listen and learn. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: The oppression I see in the world includes … Write a prayer of confession for the ways you either participate in or do little to change the oppression you see in the world. Begin to work for justice. For Further Study: Christian Social Action is a 48-page social issues journal published by the General Board of Church and Society six times a year. To order, call 202-488-5621 or 1-800-967-0880.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 37: Justice

SESSION 38 Forgiveness and Reconciliation ne of the unique responsibilities of spiritual leadership is to help people change the pattern of damage set into motion by harmful actions. God provides forgiveness and reconciliation to facilitate this change, and God sets the example, for all of us have received God’s forgiveness. When we commit a hurtful act, whether intentionally or unintentionally, whether in speech, deed, or failure to intervene, separation is often created. After all, who wants to be hurt again? But this separation and rejection hinders both love and our ultimate unity in God. And often forgiveness and reconciliation is hardest when it involves those closest to us.

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In its fullness, the process of restoring relationships is a cooperative movement. The one who commits the harm should recognize the harm done and genuinely commit to turning away from the behavior that caused it, since asking for forgiveness also means promising to change oneself. The person harmed can discourage the ongoing separation through forgiveness, letting go of the desire to continue the separation and lifting the person at fault back into the relationship. This is not easy by any means, and it does not require the person harmed to completely forget the wrong that happened. Forgiveness means not letting what happened prevent you from being a loving person. Forgiveness frees both the person wronged and the wrongdoer, for one who holds on to animosity remains in the power of animosity. Reconciliation, or being restored to relationship, may involve limitations. For example, if a person is mentally ill or suffering from an addiction and cannot yet control the behavior that caused harm, then part of love involves keeping that person out of situations that make it easy to hurt others. This may be part of a new, caring relationship, as well as part of restoration to community. As leaders we must be careful to remain very humble, since we too wrong others and must seek forgiveness; for as it says in Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We must model repentance, turning from hurtful ways ourselves. We must also model a willingness to forgive others, for this is the way of God, as demonstrated in the life of Christ. Remember that we are judged by the same measure that we judge others— a fact that encourages us to be merciful. 1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 38: Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. (Genesis 50:15-21) “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15) Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6:36-38) He [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.” (Luke 11:1-4) When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:33-34) As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 38: Forgiveness and Reconciliation

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8) From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:16-20)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Is there a relationship in your life where a wall exists because of hurtful words or actions? How might forgiveness and reconciliation bring healing? Take action toward healing. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: I believe (or I do not believe) that forgiveness and reconciliation is a core part of leadership, because … For Further Study: Forgiveness, The Passionate Journey: Nine Steps of Forgiving Through Jesus’ Beatitudes, by Flora Slosson Wuellner (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Release: Healing From Wounds of Family, Church, and Community, by Flora Slosson Wuellner (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 38: Forgiveness and Reconciliation

SESSION 39 Courage to Love piritual leadership requires courage. Jesus would not let the norms of his society or even of his own religious group keep him from connecting with and loving those he encountered. He drew very sharp criticism for relating with people whom others avoided. Even his own disciples sometimes did not understand his actions. Jesus hung out with the wrong people, touched the untouchables, conversed with those who were not supposed to speak, lifted up outcasts as examples of faith, befriended misfits, included those typically left out, and on and on. He did so intentionally.

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If we want to learn the way of Jesus, we must both ask God for and actively develop the inner strength and courage to cross boundaries as an act of love. Going into unknown places to relate with people whom we shun or fear for various reasons can be frightening. It may be an unpopular choice, but it is part of the pathway of love. One reason why so many common people took Jesus seriously as a spiritual leader was his willingness to cross barriers himself, not just to talk about it. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”… Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” (John 4:7-15, 27) One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. … Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touch1

THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 39: Courage to Love

ing him—that she is a sinner.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “Speak.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” (Luke 7:36-47) They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” ... Then people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave. (Mark 5:1-17) Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19:13-14) When he [Jesus] entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes ….” When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” (Matthew 8:5-10)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 39: Courage to Love

Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. (Luke 5:12-13) As he [Jesus] was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mark 2:14-16)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: Who are the people who live beyond the boundaries of acceptance within your family and circle of friends, your school, your community, and the world at large? Cross a boundary and establish a healing relationship. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: I am afraid to cross boundaries because … For Further Study: Living Out Christ’s Love: Selected Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433). Yours Are the Hands of Christ: The Practice of Faith, by James C. Howell (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 39: Courage to Love

SESSION 40 Give Thanks ow could the apostle Paul ask people who were experiencing great suffering, brutality, unjust imprisonment, and even the threat of death to “give thanks in all circumstances”? He was certainly no stranger to suffering himself. He must have understood their agonies, frustrations, disappointments, and struggles. In fact, Paul himself was ultimately killed because he chose to follow Jesus.

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So what is the meaning of thanksgiving in the midst of such hardship? Paul was not blind to the people’s suffering or asking people to simply ignore their pain, yet Paul used the Greek word eucharistos—to be grateful. This is where the word Eucharist comes from, reminding us of Communion and the Lord’s Supper given for us. It is also the same word that is used for grace, the thankfulness which is expressed for everyday things, such as meals. A search in a thesaurus for the word thankful reveals some interesting associated words, including appreciative, pleased, sensitive, aware, grateful, observant, and alive. Thanksgiving does not mean to deny problems and difficulties, but to be aware that even in the midst of them there is something greater than our frustrations; there is something more than our pain; there is something beyond our disappointments. It exists now; it embraces us now. With sensitivity we can become aware of a love that will not let us go, which sustains us even through death, which was shown in Christ—a God who suffers with us. The everyday joys, relationships, and beauties all around us contain miracles that point to a deeper truth. Our very lives and futures are a gift. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that supplies all this regardless of what we are going through. Some with great awareness have even discovered meaning for their lives through suffering itself. An attentiveness to what lasts in the midst of the temporary provides the foundation for giving thanks in all circumstances, for rejoicing always, for being appreciative, and for being grateful. If we can begin to comprehend that all we have comes from beyond ourselves, and that our present and future are secure in God who loves us, then gratitude is not only possible but natural.

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 40: Give Thanks

Paul and others seem to be saying to all spiritual leaders that we must help people see that God’s steadfast love endures no matter what we face. Look around you and see this love expressed in so many ways already. Be attentive and this love will give reason to be truly thankful. What do we really have to offer people if all we do is recognize problems and suffering, and no more? Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19) Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:19-20) O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34) I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1) I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. (Psalm 108:3-4) The disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. (Matthew 15:33-37) Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:14-15)

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 40: Give Thanks

Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me! O LORD, be my helper! You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever. (Psalm 30:10-12) Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. (Romans 16:3-4) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:1-5)

Spiritual Practice—Living the Lesson: The next time you find yourself in the midst of a problem or hardship, pause to remember what you are thankful for and be reminded of God’s love which has not left you. Focus for Journaling, Reflection, and Prayer: Ten things I am thankful for are … For Further Study: Abundance: Joyful Living in Christ, by Marilyn Brown Oden (Upper Room Books, 1-800-972-0433).

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THE PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP Session 40: Give Thanks