Protestant Spiritual Exercises: Theology, History, and Practice

Yeah, I know.  The title of this post may not have grabbed you.  It's not one that would have been first on my list except that it is one of my required readings for the upcoming Academy session in October.  I'm attempting to read all my Academy books (four of them) prior to my semester start (September 4th). 

Protestant Spiritual Exercises: Theology, History, and Practice by Joseph D. Driskill (1999) isn't a long book (131 pages), but the print is small and I judged the book by its cover, so to speak, and thought this would be a "forever" book.

Pleasantly surprised, I found this book to be informative and even helpful.  Though it was written in 1999, I would say that the information pertaining to Protestants and spirituality is still about the same, though it has made some progress.  Driskill writes: "The failure of mainline Protestant churches to nurture the spiritual lives of their members reflects a religious ethos that is out of touch with the spiritual needs of many human beings." (xiii)  He mentions that "Today, in a significant number of mainline churches a sense of God's presence in worship has been rediscovered." (xvi-xvii)  This reminded me of Diana Butler Bass' Christianity For the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith.  Her book tells story after story about the renewal of mainline congregations as they have begun to be open to God's working in and through them.

Driskill addresses the fact that most Protestant churches have not helped to adequately nurture and foster spiritual growth, individually or in community.  He believes that mainline Protestant churches are well positioned historically and otherwise to step in and offer this and thus the purpose of this book is to open up dialogue and offer up resources.  Driskill notes: "Insofar as an explicit focus on spirituality is a relatively new development in the life of mainline Protestants, it is hoped that this book will provide both congregations and individuals with resources for the journey." (xviii)

The book is divided into four chapters.  Each chapter has an introduction and specific sections.  There is an Appendix with contact information for 21 training centers for spiritual formation.  This is also an annotated Bibliography with 24 books listed for further reading.

In Chapter 3 there are Guidelines for spiritual practices.  There are detailed explanations of spiritual practices in Chapter 4.  In both chapters, Driskill provides ideas on using with a group, what to watch for, etc.  This is very helpful for teachers and leaders within classes or retreat settings as they use spiritual practices to foster spiritual growth.  There were good reminders for me in there on allowing people to move and grow at their own pace and to "opt out" at any time of an activity and to also modify activities to fit the time, space, and the people.  

Breakdown of the book by chapter:

Chapter 1: Theological Affirmations

• Introduction
• The Gifts of the Spirit
• The Lived Experience of Faith
• Conclusion

Chapter 2: The Development of the Spiritual Life

• Introduction
• The Spiritual Journey: Faithfulness to the Will of God
• Beginning the Spiritual Journey
• A Model for Spiritual Development
• Usuing Spiritual Practices
• Spiritual Discipline
• Spiritual Direction
• Spiritual Discernment
• Spiritual Development

Chapter 3: Guidelines for Using Spiritual Practices

• Introduction
• Skills of the Leader
• Context
• The Use of Technological Resources
• Personal Characteristics of the Participants
• The Spiritual Practices
• The Teaching Process
• Resources for Referral
• Group Process
• Spiritual Growth for the Congregation

Chapter 4: Spiritual Practices

• Introduction
• Relaxation Exercises
• Rule of Life
• Four-Stranded Garland
• Prayer of Examen
• Prayer for a New Earth
• Morning and Evening Prayer
• Keeping a Journal
• Covenant Group

On a personal note, the timing of reading this book has been providential.  I'm preparing to start leading a Bible Study in September with women that have been already meeting and sharing for a few months from Mustard Tree Ministries.  I'm excited to join with them for Bible Study.  During the last two chapters in particular, I had some ideas that I'll be putting into action in this Bible Study.  Reading this book at this time has helped me to have a deeper focus for our time together by stirring up ideas and bringing some things out that I might have forgotten if I hadn't read this book now.   How I'll be presenting the Scripture, some additional things we'll be talking about and learning, etc. will be part of our time together now.   I put together a powerpoint presentation of pictures of God's creation that I've taken to go along with one of my favorite Keith Green songs as part of the first class.  This is just one of the ideas that came to mind while reading the book.

I recommend the book.  It is helpful.  I also recommend Diana Butler Bass' book that I mention here (and that I've written about previously).  It's inspiring. 

I recommend spiritual practices and spiritual growth.  ☺

I will end with the last two paragraphs of Driskill's book:

 

"As we begin to awaken to God's loving call in our lives, many of us start using spiritual disciplines as ways to guide and deepen our relationship with the holy.  Conversely, when we are faithful to our spiritual disciplines we increase the possibility of deepening our awareness of God's movement and call on our lives. 
     That awareness helps us to pray and act as if the quality of our lives depends on our relationship with God.  And, of course, it does." (118)

Blessings on your journey!

~Debra