Comments on: The Listen Retreat http://www.likeafire.net/2009/02/11/the-listen-retreat/ His word is Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:16:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Paul http://www.likeafire.net/2009/02/11/the-listen-retreat/comment-page-1/#comment-693 Paul Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:35:01 +0000 http://blog.likeafire.net/2009/02/11/the-listen-retreat/#comment-693 Beth, thanks for commenting. I agree that there is definitely more room for both/and. In fact, I have already blogged it (it just hasn't been posted yet). What I was trying to do on this retreat was to focus on one to balance out the other. I have often just appealed to understanding so I wanted to try something different. I have a leader who could do a whole retreat on "doing", but that would have to e his retreat, since I can't lead them where I haven't been. Interesting about the diagram. I think I would naturally lean more toward the mystic, though that word has too much baggage for me. I usually balk at the meyers/briggs stuff, but I like this one because it addresses how extremes can be unhealthy. I'll see if I can find the book. Beth, thanks for commenting. I agree that there is definitely more room for both/and. In fact, I have already blogged it (it just hasn’t been posted yet). What I was trying to do on this retreat was to focus on one to balance out the other. I have often just appealed to understanding so I wanted to try something different. I have a leader who could do a whole retreat on “doing”, but that would have to e his retreat, since I can’t lead them where I haven’t been.

Interesting about the diagram. I think I would naturally lean more toward the mystic, though that word has too much baggage for me. I usually balk at the meyers/briggs stuff, but I like this one because it addresses how extremes can be unhealthy.

I’ll see if I can find the book.

]]> By: Beth http://www.likeafire.net/2009/02/11/the-listen-retreat/comment-page-1/#comment-692 Beth Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:21:52 +0000 http://blog.likeafire.net/2009/02/11/the-listen-retreat/#comment-692 oops, the scond tiny url link is broken. It is meant to refer you to http://www.youthministry.org.nz/?sid=134 oops, the scond tiny url link is broken. It is meant to refer you to

http://www.youthministry.org.nz/?sid=134

]]> By: Beth http://www.likeafire.net/2009/02/11/the-listen-retreat/comment-page-1/#comment-691 Beth Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:19:15 +0000 http://blog.likeafire.net/2009/02/11/the-listen-retreat/#comment-691 Sigh. Why must it always be an either/or? Either the church or God. Either theology or listening. Either contemplation or formation. Either discussion or prayer. Either "absurd" love or "logical" truth. True monastics do not live either/or lives; they are both-and people. (Even St. Francis, that most "absurd" of monks, never believed in the false dichotomy between church and God.) Moreover, monasticism is not monolithic: there are various kinds of monks, ranging from more contemplative (Trappists) to more active (Cistercians); from more intellectual (Dominicans) to more emotive (Franciscans) Check out the image at http://tinyurl.com/cl5g2s and then the article at http://tinyurl.com/aabmq5. It's an extract from Corinne Ware's "Four Spiritual Types." Some of us respond to head spirituality; some to heart spirituality; some to mystic and some to kingdom spirituality. It's important to recognize what our natural tendencies are, and to explore new ways of relating to the Lord. For a long time Evangelicals have only countenanced head spirituality, and Penteconstals have only permitted heart spirituality. Vital ministry--whether to youth or adults--will challenge us to grow in all these areas, as per Luke 10:27, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart (heart spirtuality) and with all your soul (mystic spirituality) and with all your strength (kingdom spirituality) and with all your mind' (head spirituality) and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" God bless you as you serve Him, and care for your kids. Sigh. Why must it always be an either/or?
Either the church or God.
Either theology or listening.
Either contemplation or formation.
Either discussion or prayer.
Either “absurd” love or “logical” truth.

True monastics do not live either/or lives; they are both-and people. (Even St. Francis, that most “absurd” of monks, never believed in the false dichotomy between church and God.) Moreover, monasticism is not monolithic: there are various kinds of monks, ranging from more contemplative (Trappists) to more active (Cistercians); from more intellectual (Dominicans) to more emotive (Franciscans)

Check out the image at http://tinyurl.com/cl5g2s and then the article at
http://tinyurl.com/aabmq5. It’s an extract from Corinne Ware’s “Four Spiritual Types.” Some of us respond to head spirituality; some to heart spirituality; some to mystic and some to kingdom spirituality. It’s important to recognize what our natural tendencies are, and to explore new ways of relating to the Lord.

For a long time Evangelicals have only countenanced head spirituality, and Penteconstals have only permitted heart spirituality. Vital ministry–whether to youth or adults–will challenge us to grow in all these areas, as per Luke 10:27, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart (heart spirtuality) and with all your soul (mystic spirituality) and with all your strength (kingdom spirituality) and with all your mind’ (head spirituality) and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

God bless you as you serve Him, and care for your kids.

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