Disciplines and the Pastoral Vocation
3/13/06

We search for God.  God searches us out.  The encounter between us and God is most clearly experienced when we do the training exercises developed over centuries of Christian practice.  The traditional spiritual disciplines: meditating, praying, fasting, studying, almsgiving, submitting and the like stand in stark contrast to those also equally-ignored mortal sins (pride, lust, greed, sloth, etc.) and offer a pathway for growing deeper in wisdom and graciousness.

Groups in the congregation where I worship have met weekly for several years to explore, practice, and encourage one another in the traditional disciplines.  Looking back, I am chagrined at how shallow was my grasp before undertaking this deliberate effort.  I am humbled at how far I have to go.  I am also disappointed by the superficial understandings of some of my clergy colleagues.

If we are but babes in Christ we cannot blame faulty seminary educations or the pressure of too many responsibilities for the poverty of our prayers or the prideful performance of our tasks.  We also cannot blame the people who listen to us ministers preach for wandering in the wilderness rather than passionately following Jesus if we ourselves have not done our homework in the disciplines which give us charitable hearts, trusting natures, and discerning minds.

The congregations we serve will never be transformed beyond the level of our own faith and wisdom.  I rather wish it were otherwise for I know very well the weaknesses and failures of clergy.  It is, however, the way Jesus chose, and apparently, the way he still works in human lives.

A Hispanic pastor whose congregation has given birth to half a dozen new churches told us when we asked how: "First I go off to a quiet place by myself for two days where I fast and pray.  Then the Lord reveals to me where is the best place to start a new church and the persons who should begin the work."  Fasting?  Praying?  None of the rest of us had thought of that!

Disciplines: we won't grow without them.  Here on the cusp of Lent I call for a cadre of Christians who will fast on Wednesdays until Easter, who will engage in secret giving to unworthy people for Jesus' sake, and who will take up the towel of humble service in such a way that glorifies God - even once.  We will see what the Lord can do!  Will you join with me?  Let me know.  You can find me at adavidd@fccames.org

          - David Digby - First Christian Church,Ames, Iowa