About the Book
Spiritual formation has gained increasing attention with theological schools as a significant element of the theological education process. Repeated Association of Theological Schools studies have revealed a broad interpretation of what is meant by spiritual formation and how it is achieved within the theological education framework. Theological schools look to what happens in the field education courses as the most significant source of spiritual formation.
Experience: Spiritual Formation in Theological Field Education provides effective resources that field educators may employ to foster spiritual formation. In the first section of the book twenty-five practices are introduced that are employed currently by field educators with strong favorable student feedback. In a second section ministerial leaders in a variety of settings share spiritual practices that they have found life-giving and foster deeper connection with God and God’s world.
Experience equips field educators for the significant task of fostering the spiritual growth of their students. Students in turn will have a treasure trove of spiritual formation exercises/practices that they can adapt as ministerial leaders in congregations, chaplaincy settings and in faith-based non-profit organizations.
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements
Introduction, Matthew Floding
I: Spiritual Formation in Theological Field Education
Introduction to Spiritual Formation in Theological Field Education, Dawn Davis
Storytelling and the Spiritual Autobiography, Sung Hee ChangJust Gotta Tell Somebody: The Journey of African American Song and Story in Theological Reflection, C. Vanessa WhiteTheological Reflection in a Prayerful Community, Marilyn DraperThe Spiritual Practice of Mentoring, Debra AndersonLead with Your Ears: SELAH Peer Group Spiritual Direction in Theological Field Education, John Hugh McNallyLectio Divina in Field Education, Tim ColtvetVisio Divina, Divine Seeing, Dorothee TripodeeLet Us Pray: Leading Prayer, Dawn DavisIgnatian Examen in Group Theological Reflection, L. Callid Keefe-PerrySpiritual Stones: The Practice of Sacred Remembering, Geoffrey VandermolenIndigenous Spiritual Practices into the Field Education Program, Rosalyn Elm and Hana Scorrar Restorative Justice, Theological Reflection, and the Calling of the Catholic Church, Angela L. Swain Singing as Spiritual Practice, Thomas W. Elliott, Jr. Spiritual Practices in Field Education as Inwardly Digesting, GailMarie HendersonThe Practice of Lament, Bonnie LeMelle AbadieCultivating Holy Curiosity: Metanoia as a Spiritual Disposition for Christian Ministry, John SeniorGratitude Transforms, Carolyn A. Wright Breadmaking as Communal Spiritual Practice, Christina R. ZakerContemplative Photography, Susan MacAlpine-GillisThe Spiritual Practice of Handcrafts: Nurturing the Soul for Ministry, Chelle HuthRest, Release, Repeat: The Use of Embodied Prayer Practice for Integrative Contextual Education, Natalie Wigg-StevensonSabbath Keeping, Melvin R. BaberRule of and for Life, James K. HamptonII. Lifegiving and Ministry Sustaining Practices
Introduction, Matthew Floding
Dream Appreciation as Spiritual Practice, James HazelwoodMay All That Has Breath, Susan HendershotRest as Resistance, Kristina Lizardi-HajbiA New Song: Singing as Spiritual Practice, Todd F. Campbell, Jr.Bringing My Grandmother in the Room: Relationality as Spiritual Practice, Danielle J. BuhuroThe Lord’s Prayer, Katie CroweDisrupting Prayer Time, Marc Lavarin, Sr.Trees, Rocks, Water, Hills, Tammerie DayFinding Something in Nothing, Michael BosGrounding Practices: Pathways to Wisdom and Wellbeing, Theresa F. LatiniSlowly and Slower Still, Christine J. HongThe Spiritual Practice of Honoring Urgency, Sarah B. DrummondThey’ll Help You Keep at Ministry, William WillimonCuriosity as Spiritual Gift, Kent BusmanCultivating Attentiveness and Responsiveness through the Ignatian Examen, Megan ShepherdWhen the Mundane is Holy, Rhina RamosI Can Paint a Wall, Ann M. KansfieldGrounded, Christy BerghoefThe Power of Contemplative Meditation and Reflection, Amanda A. N. AlexanderIn Two Minds: Distraction and Spiritual Formation, Matthew FlodingAbout the Contributors
About the Author :
Matthew Floding is general editor of the Explorations in Theological Field Education series and co-editor of the journal Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry. The Research and Publication Committee of ATFE has awarded Floding four research grants that have resulted in a dozen publications. He most recently served as Duke Divinity School’s director of ministerial formation.
Rev. Dawn Davis, DMin, overseesfield education for students for ordained ministry and teaching at Huron University in Ontario, Canada. She is also the creator of Revive: Equipping Lay Leaders to be Spiritual Leaders, a video-based program that seeks to transform lay leaders in the church into confident lay spiritual leaders. Previously she was Faith Formation Coordinator for the Diocese of Niagara.
