Quest for Spiritual Community: Reclaiming Spiritual Guidance for Contemporary Congregations
<!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]—><!—[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }</style><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;mso-para-mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-ansi-language:#0400;mso-fareast-language:#0400;mso-bidi-language:#0400;}</style><![endif]—><span>'Angela Reed has done churches a monumental favour byreminding us that the ancient practice of spiritual guidance is not just formystics and monks.<i> </i>Reedplacesspiritual guidance in themiddle of congregations, and moves the task of Christian discernment straightto the top of the list of tasks confronting postmodern congregations. Chock-fullof practical strategies and concrete examples,<i>Quest for SpiritualCommunity </i>re-imagines Christian leadership - not as a source of therapeuticor moralistic advice - but as conduit for practical wisdom, wonder, and awe.All I can say is: it's about time.' - Kenda Creasy Dean, Author of <i>AlmostChristian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the AmericanChurch </i>(Oxford),Professor of Youth, Church and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary, USA.</span><br  /> (Kenda Creasy Dean)<br  /><br  /><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]—><!—[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }</style><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;mso-para-mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-ansi-language:#0400;mso-fareast-language:#0400;mso-bidi-language:#0400;}</style><![endif]—><span><span lang="EN-US" style=" ">'Angela Reed honors the contemporaryphenomenon of spiritual seeking as a sign of genuine hunger for encounter withthe Divine.She claims that historic Christian practices like spiritualguidance can help churches connect seekers to the unfolding mystery of God'spresence and activity in the world. Drawing on Scripture, the history ofChristian spirituality, and empirical research Reed develops a sound practicaltheology of spiritual guidance and offers concrete examples of how guidance ispracticed in everyday congregational life.Most welcome is her emphasis onthe integration of interior and exterior growth, as she demonstrates howspiritual guidance promotes the flourishing of the individual, the community,and the church's mission. This is a wonderfully helpful and insightfulbook.' — Timothy Hessel-Robinson, Brite Divinity School, USA</span></span> (Timothy Hessel - Robinson)<br  /><br  /><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]—><!—[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }</style><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;mso-para-mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-ansi-language:#0400;mso-fareast-language:#0400;mso-bidi-language:#0400;}</style><![endif]—><span><span lang="EN-US">'ProfessorAngela Reed offers a unique contribution to the field of spiritual formationstudies by making a compelling case for locating spiritual guidance ministriessquarely in the midst of congregational life.Though she values (andpractices) one-with-one spiritual direction, her deepest passion is forcommunal formation.Given the stresses and fractures of contemporary life,nothing short of a vibrant community of spiritual practice will satisfy thelongings of our hearts and shape the image of Christ in people of faith today. Thoughmany studies in spiritual formation draw upon the rich tradition of Roman<span> </span>Catholic resources, Reed takes the less traveledroute by focusing especially on Protestant history and perspectives — mainline,evangelical and Anabaptist-Mennonite streams.Extensive biblicalreflections, in-depth exploration of Jurgen Moltmann's theology of formation,as well as on-the-ground research support her vision.Perhaps one of themost unusual features of the book is its exploration of a widely disparategroup of spiritual guides — the Apostle Paul, Julian of Norwich, SusannaWesley, Maria Frelinghuysen Cornell, and Dietriech Bonhoeffer — in search of asturdy framework for communal formation. Reed demonstrates her own thesis thatan improvisatory approach is needed for the future.Pastors and otherspiritual leaders will need to be light on their feet — able to read theircontexts, draw from deep wells of wisdom and practice, and be open to theSpirit's fresh guidance in order to shape Christians who will authentically beand do God's mission in the world. Practical theologians like Angela Reed giveme great hope for the church.Her gentle wisdom, luminous clarity, andpassion for the church will guide both congregations and academic institutionsinto a faith-filled future.' — Marlene Kropf, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, USA.</span></span> (Marlene Kropf)<br  /><br  /><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]—><!—[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }</style><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;mso-para-mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-ansi-language:#0400;mso-fareast-language:#0400;mso-bidi-language:#0400;}</style><![endif]—><span>'Angela Reed has done churches a monumental favour byreminding us that the ancient practice of spiritual guidance is not just formystics and monks.<i> </i>Reed places spiritual guidance in themiddle of congregations, and moves the task of Christian discernment straightto the top of the list of tasks confronting postmodern congregations. Chock-fullof practical strategies and concrete examples, <i>Quest for SpiritualCommunity </i>re-imagines Christian leadership - not as a source of therapeuticor moralistic advice - but as conduit for practical wisdom, wonder, and awe. All I can say is: it's about time.’ - Kenda Creasy Dean, Author of <i>AlmostChristian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the AmericanChurch </i>(Oxford),Professor of Youth, Church and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary, USA.</span><br  /> (Sanford Lakoff)<br  /><br  /><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]—><!—[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }</style><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;mso-para-mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-ansi-language:#0400;mso-fareast-language:#0400;mso-bidi-language:#0400;}</style><![endif]—><span><span lang="EN-US" style=" ">'Angela Reed honors the contemporaryphenomenon of spiritual seeking as a sign of genuine hunger for encounter withthe Divine. She claims that historic Christian practices like spiritualguidance can help churches connect seekers to the unfolding mystery of God’spresence and activity in the world. Drawing on Scripture, the history ofChristian spirituality, and empirical research Reed develops a sound practicaltheology of spiritual guidance and offers concrete examples of how guidance ispracticed in everyday congregational life. Most welcome is her emphasis onthe integration of interior and exterior growth, as she demonstrates howspiritual guidance promotes the flourishing of the individual, the community,and the church’s mission.  This is a wonderfully helpful and insightfulbook.’ – Timothy Hessel-Robinson, Brite Divinity School, USA</span></span> (Sanford Lakoff)<br  /><br  /><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning /> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas /> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:DontGrowAutofit /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]—><!—[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }</style><![endif]—><!—[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;mso-para-mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-ansi-language:#0400;mso-fareast-language:#0400;mso-bidi-language:#0400;}</style><![endif]—><span><span lang="EN-US">'ProfessorAngela Reed offers a unique contribution to the field of spiritual formationstudies by making a compelling case for locating spiritual guidance ministriessquarely in the midst of congregational life. Though she values (andpractices) one-with-one spiritual direction, her deepest passion is forcommunal formation. Given the stresses and fractures of contemporary life,nothing short of a vibrant community of spiritual practice will satisfy thelongings of our hearts and shape the image of Christ in people of faith today. Thoughmany studies in spiritual formation draw upon the rich tradition of Roman<span> </span>Catholic resources, Reed takes the less traveledroute by focusing especially on Protestant history and perspectives – mainline,evangelical and Anabaptist-Mennonite streams. Extensive biblicalreflections, in-depth exploration of Jurgen Moltmann’s theology of formation,as well as on-the-ground research support her vision. Perhaps one of themost unusual features of the book is its exploration of a widely disparategroup of spiritual guides – the Apostle Paul, Julian of Norwich, SusannaWesley, Maria Frelinghuysen Cornell, and Dietriech Bonhoeffer – in search of asturdy framework for communal formation. Reed demonstrates her own thesis thatan improvisatory approach is needed for the future. Pastors and otherspiritual leaders will need to be light on their feet – able to read theircontexts, draw from deep wells of wisdom and practice, and be open to theSpirit’s fresh guidance in order to shape Christians who will authentically beand do God’s mission in the world. Practical theologians like Angela Reed giveme great hope for the church. Her gentle wisdom, luminous clarity, andpassion for the church will guide both congregations and academic institutionsinto a faith-filled future.’ – Marlene Kropf, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, USA.</span></span> (Sanford Lakoff)