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Dear Subscriber First Name, Chances are, you’re getting this because you care - or are at least curious about - spiritual formation. Perhaps you’ve attended a seasonal retreat with The Abbey and Denver Seminary Soul Care Initiative. Maybe you’ve received through the 9-month retreat we call Praxis. It could be you don’t recall why you’re on this mailing list, and you haven’t unsubscribed. Those, and more, are all good reasons to be here. Writer, philosopher, and pastor Dallas Willard defined spiritual formation as, “the Spirit-driven process of shaping the inner-self to become like Christ, resulting in a life that naturally reflects Christ’s character and actions.” We might encounter Spirit encountering our inner-self in spaces like quiet retreats, through practices like prayer and listening, or within times of restful presence. As a pastoral leader seeking a deepening formation, a question that can eventually come up is, “What could this look like in the congregation or organization I serve? Also…how?” A simple answer for that likely doesn’t exist. The question is an invitation to more conversation with God. What’s more, the good news is you’re not the only one wondering. We invite you to join The Abbey and the Denver Seminary Soul Care Initiative October 16-17 on the Denver Seminary Campus for two days of wondering about that together. Specifically, the question at the center of our time will be what role does Scripture play in integrating spiritual formation into the life of a local congregation? We’ll be guided by pastor and Denver Seminary alumnus Dave Ripper - author of Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus: Reading the Bible like Dallas Willard. Framing the time in worship and practice will be our friend Becky Ykema, a pastoral leader who seeks to help cultivate healthier environments in the church. Registration for this event is NOW OPEN. While you can attend both days or just one, pastoral leaders would be best served by attending both. You can find more details and registration here or through the links at the bottom of this message. Also, take time to consider who you might invite to join you. Who else do you want to be having this conversation with, for the good of the world? If you need anything, just holler. Peace, everyone at The Abbey & Denver Seminary Soul Care Initiative p.s. If you want to know a bit more about Dave’s heart, listen to his excellent podcast Deeper Experiences with God here or wherever you get your podcasts.
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