Three examples: many of you know that I was a violinist in my former life. Much of what makes things happen in our lives is the result of intentionality, concentration, and deliberate focus, or at the very least, the things that we think matter for our lives or where we want to see change and growth.
I can’t answer that either, but I can suggest one thing - consciousness makes possible the possibility or, in other words, makes expectation a reality. So before you think about what your congregation needs to hear about the Spirit this week, maybe consider what you need to know about the Spirit this week. It’s hard to conceive of having something to say every Sunday that is any different from any other preacher out there and that will actually make a difference. It’s hard to imagine putting your theology on the line week after week and think this is all in a day’s work. For without the Spirit, it’s hard to comprehend being able to step into a pulpit each week and proclaim the Word of God. But it’s a problem that is a rather potent one for preachers. Perhaps that’s not just a Lutheran problem - and perhaps it might even be your problem. It seems that we can get by just fine without much recognition of what the Spirit might be up to. In Lutheran circles, the Spirit as the “shy member of the Trinity” is no joke. To hear that maybe, if we focus on the Spirit, the Spirit just might show up. Or, maybe they just need to be reminded that there is a Spirit that it’s worth some of our faith attention, that it actually might make a difference for how we see God at work in our lives.
Do they need to hear about the Spirit as advocate, the Spirit of truth who accompanies us in our believing? Do they need to hear about the Spirit as a mighty wind, poured out upon us, taking over our very speech? Do they need to hear that they are indeed led by the Spirit of God and are therefore children of God? That is, choose one text and preach that text’s presentation and understanding of the Spirit rather than attempting a conglomerated spiritual mess that leaves the people in the pews asking, “Wait, what’s the Spirit again? What does it do?”Īnd only you know what Spirit your congregation needs to know this week. Throughout the program, you will engage with the Formative Spirituality co-directors in a process of careful, mutual discernment to uncover your call and aptitude for the ministry of spiritual direction.Happy Pentecost, Dear Working Preachers! At the risk of sounding like the proverbial broken record, are you ready for preaching this Sunday that celebrates the Spirit? (The fee for spiritual direction is contracted privately between the student and their spiritual director and is the responsibility of the student.) Prerequisites As a student in the Spiritual Direction Graduate Certificate Intensive, you are required to have at least 1-year experience of receiving monthly spiritual direction and to continue in monthly individual spiritual direction throughout the Intensive Certificate program. Individual spiritual direction supports the on-going spiritual and psychological growth that is needed to become a spiritual director. It affirms that God is in our lives and hearts and can be encountered” (Susan Phillips). “Spiritual direction encourages an honest look at what grace illumines. Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction Intensive Program DetailsCurriculum, Practicum Personal Spirituality
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