Episcopal 101 – Spiritual Formation and Faith
ÔWe are spiritual beings in the midst of the human experience.Õ
We are indeed spiritual beings. We are ÔwiredÕ to seek meaning and
truth, relationships and joy. We are also hard wired to strive for that which
seems just beyond our grasp and yet all so real. (5th century Cappadocian Christians spoke of God leading us forward in a
mist, a step or two ahead where we are always reaching for GodÕs flowing robe
just before us on the path – the path of faith to the mountain
top.
+ Refer to the baptismal vows on pages 302 – 305 of the Book of
Common Prayer which speak of seeking and serving Christ in others and
continuing in the Apostles teachings (bible study) the breaking of bread (Holy
Communion) fellowship (worship and experience with other people of faith) and
prayer (prayer!). Look at the vows on the bottom of 304 and top of 305
and put the word ÔhowÕ at the beginning of each one. Now form responses for
yourself. This is a good start to building up your spiritual resources
and faith.
+What is faith? St. Paul says that faith is belief in the great
and good things NOT seen, but hoped for in Christ. Belief in.
Faithful assurance.
+Episcopalians tend to be more oriented toward reliance on the tools
for faith than the rules of faith. In other words, just as we do not view
the Bible like a rule book for a sport but as a tool to help us find and be
found by God in our time, so too with faith. The tools for faith enable each of
us to find a faithful path for the life we live in belief that God is indeed at
the top of the mountain we all climb but there are several paths that get one
to that pinnacle with Christ beside us to guide us for the asking.
+We believe that each of us grows , evolves
into the fulfillment of our baptismal vows over a lifetime and, that when a
person is ready to self identify as willing to be guided on that journey
through association with The Episcopal Church, he or she is ready to seek
Confirmation or Reception into the Church by the Bishop.
+Faith/Spirituality is personal and corporate. You walk with God
in your individual journey and you do so in the context of your connection with
the worshipping/serving church to which you belong.
Some Tools for Spiritual Growth
+Regular Worship
+Regular prayer +Bible
study
+Devotional Reading +Intentional
Kindness/Generosity to others
+Practicing compassion
+thinking through the life and way of Jesus.
+doing
outreach
+discussion groups
+arts +nature
+letting go of
anger +daily
contemplation +physical activity
+seeking GodÕs assurance within you. (Create
in me a clean heart, O God- and renew a right spirit within me.)
+Guided retreats + websites like Episcopal CafŽÕ or
Sr. Joan Chittister or Cowley Press or good talks with your Priest.
The Book of Common Prayer is a Great spiritual resource. See prayers
pp810 – 840.
And much much more!
Your spiritual journey is a life long endeavor that changes and grows
through every stage of experience. The Episcopal Church seeks to nurture
you along the way, not control, shame, threaten or guilt you. You are a
baptized member of the beloved community as Jesus called it, a faith community
finding its way to wholeness while remembering to help our neighbor along the
path. You have a call in this. You have a place and you have a reward great
awaiting you, a place among the saints of God and a place of thanks in the
hearts of others. ItÕs a matter of spiritual growth and faith. It is what
you are held together by- it is the fuel of the soul. God bless you!
Recommended reading- Forward Day by Day, Jesus and Nonviolence by
Walter Wink, Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris, Home by Another Way by Barbara
Brown Taylor, Strength for the Journey by Peter Gomes, Wishful Thinking or
Peculiar Treasurers by Fred Buechner, Recuing the Bible from Fundamentalism by
John Shelby Spong, The Breath of the Soul by Joan Chittister, Made for Goodness
by Desmond Tutu, Traveling Mercies by Ann
Lamott, God and Empire by John Dominick Crossan,