Evangelicals rediscovering "tradition"?

The Future Lies in the Past -- Why evangelicals are connecting with the early church as they move into the 21st century.

Many 20- and 30-something evangelicals are uneasy and alienated in mall-like church environments; high-energy, entertainment-oriented worship; and boomer-era ministry strategies and structures modeled on the business world. Increasingly, they are asking just how these culturally camouflaged churches can help them rise above the values of the consumerist world around them.

For younger evangelicals, traditional churches are too centered on words and propositions. And pragmatic churches are compromising authentic Christianity by tailoring their ministries to the marketplace and pop culture. The younger evangelicals seek a renewed encounter with a God beyond both doctrinal definitions and super-successful ministry programs.

So what to do? Easy, says this youth movement: Stop endlessly debating and advertising Christianity, and just embody it. Live it faithfully in community with others--especially others beyond the white suburban world of many megachurch ministries. Embrace symbols and sacraments. Dialogue with the "other two" historic confessions: Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Recognize that "the road to the church's future is through its past." And break out the candles and incense. Pray using the lectio divina. Tap all the riches of Christian tradition you can find.

This is the road to maturity. That more and more evangelicals have set out upon it is reason for hope for the future of gospel Christianity. That they are receiving good guidance on this road from wise teachers is reason to believe that Christ is guiding the process. And that they are meeting and learning from fellow Christians in the other two great confessions, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, is reason to rejoice in the power of love.

The ones I have read how to do lectio divina from are those who are sympathetic to it and who admire the desert fathers and other Catholic mystics. Of course you think I’m mistaken, because you approve of it (per your last posts).

http://www.covchurch.org/companion/articles/2004-september-spiritual-practices101

“Students are instructed to find one phrase, or even one key word, and to just continually meditate on it. After ten minutes, I ask the students to share their experience, and have been amazed at the depth of theological insight that has come from the meditation of teenagers.”

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I’m sorry but repeating a phrase or word like that is a mantra.
Mysticism is not part of the Christian faith. Spiritual ‘practices’ or ‘disciplines’ do nothing to sanctify. It is what Colossians and Galatians were confronting.

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https://www.covchurch.org/formation/departmental-ministries/prayer-ministry

Habits of the Heart

The Habits of the Heart seminar is an interactive and experiential spiritual formation retreat to provide instruction and experiences in classic spiritual habits/disciplines so that participants grow in their practice of the presence of God. The most common form is as an all-church weekend retreat beginning Friday evening, continuing all day Saturday, and concluding on Sunday morning.

Topics covered include:

* Praying the Word (Lectio Divina)
* God-centered silence (centering prayer)
* Our spiritual heritage (liturgical prayer)
* Less can be more (feasting by fasting)
* Empowered by a personal vision (a rule of life)
* Encouraged by a “soul friend” (spiritual direction)
* Written reflection on our life and faith (journaling)

Time to Breathe… an invitation to a place and time to hear God’s still small voice.“

A Time to Breathe” is an interactive and experiential retreat for youth that is designed to provide guidance and experience in spiritual practices so that participants may grow in their journey with God. Youth Workers and students explore together what it means to be in the presence of God.

Come take time to breathe!
• Quiet
• Space for God’s transformation
• Intentional time to be with God
• Looking at Prayer in new ways
• Multi-sensory approaches to interact with God

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This is all Colossians 2 behavior.

“because you approve of it”.

You have missed the whole meaning of what I have tried my best to offer regarding the true practice (and meaning) of lectio divina.

Because you persist in thinking that lectio divina, as presented in your post here, is not a valid nor authentic way of the ancient form of Scriptural prayer—so be it.

I can’t do any more than I’ve done to indicate to you that we are not talking about the same thing.

So I don’t intend to exert any more time and effort to it.

In the end, all that is hidden will be revealed. I’m confident that the prayerful reading of Scripture in the way of lectio divina will form a deeply committed Christian life —one that is ready to be received by the Lord into His kingdom..

Until He comes again-—adios.

I haven’t the slightest clue what he’s talking about. I’ve been in evangelical churches for years; currently attend one of about 1500 members here in Raleigh that is anything but “mall-like”. We are growing by leaps and bounds simply because we are a Word-based church that is, yes, ‘culturally relevant’ as well. Our praise music IS very high energy (I’m one of the lead guitarists), and why shouldn’t it be? We Christians have the most powerful message on Earth and it should be delivered powerfully, IMHO.

We are gaining members from many different churches; people who sought a personal relationship with the Lord and were not being shown how......or even allowed?......to do so in other churches. All too many mainstream denominational churches are just dead; stone dead. Sorry to sound harsh, but it’s true. They are going through the motions and their members are bored out of their skulls; they aren’t being fed.

I’ll leave it at that. The explosive growth of the evangelical church is precisely due to people wanting to rid themselves of shackles of other denominations, NOT wanting to go back to them.

“...actually think about the Word to apply it to their lives”

Yes, that would be true lectio divina—but it is even more. It is listening to that Word, not only thinking about it,—listening and knowing that God speaks to us through the Sacred Sciptures and our answer should be “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening”. It’s becoming so familiar with the Word of God that it comes to mind in daily events that try us and it sustains us through the rough spots and remains with us in the smoother times.

Thanks for making an effort to understand what it is that I was trying to convey.

God bless.

Rightonline: I grew up as a Southern Baptist. I am very conservative in my theological views.

I left the Baptist Church when I married a Roman Catholic girl, and we compromised on the Episcopal Church. I know the Episcopal Church has its share of issues, but my particular parish and diocese are also very conservative, and I’ve found great beauty in the liturgical form of worship.

I am very happy that you’ve found a church home in which you can grow in the spirit. I believe I’ve also found such a church home for me and my family.

May the peace of the Lord be always with you.

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