Some of my friends are conservative and some are liberal. I pride myself on being able to see both sides of most coins. What unites us usually, is our actions. Family from different sides at the thanksgiving table, friends at the gym or the community center, all with a different set of beliefs but we come together for a shared purpose, a shared practice. As a doctoral student I’ve come to believe we are more united by our actions, than our doctrine. So this study emphasizes what unites rather than what divides. There may be a place later for talking doctrine but for now let’s explore what we have in common holding our differences loosely. Below you will find eight themes and twenty-four practices, the themes connect us to creation and the practices support our relationship to that aspect of creation. This list is constantly in flux so please let me know what you think, or what you might change.
Light – As fact, symbol, and metaphor
Study: Learning from the Bible, nature, or other text to understand and experience, reality and Truth.
Contemplation: Focusing on the presence of God in all things.
Lectio Divina: Reading and meditating on sacred texts with four steps, reading, thinking, praying, and acting.
Water – as weather, decision, and wisdom
Discernment: Seeking to understand God’s will and purpose to make decisions that align with it.
Prayer: Communicating with God with words, thoughts, and deeds, seeking guidance, grace, and mercy.
Solitude: Leaving people behind temporarily to enter a time alone with God.
Land – as place, neighborhood, and wealth
Prayer Walking: Aligning with Christ and his intercession for the kingdom to come while walking in particular places. (Pilgrimage or running too)
Meditation: Gazing deeply on God through the written Word and creation.
Stewardship: Managing resources — time, talent, and possessions, to honor God and promote the kingdom. (Ecology, conservation, finance)
Time – as signifier, yom, and numbered days
Journal: Writing thoughts, feelings, and experiences in writing, a tool for reflection and personal growth.
Rule: Following principles for living life in accordance with God’s will, often associated with monastic communities. (this may include, yearly liturgy calendar)
Examen: Reviewing the day or week to discern where God was present and where one fell short, to grow in our relationship with Him.
Life – as breath, health, and gift
Hospitality: Providing a place that offers others the grace, shelter and presence of Jesus.
Conservation: Honoring the Creator by loving, nurturing and stewarding the creation.
Discipleship: Following Jesus to become more like Him through fellowship, study, prayer, and obedience. (Struggle, Sacrifice)
Work – as calling, contribution, and love’s response
Service: Committing time, talents, and resources to serve others, especially those in need, as an expression of one’s faith. (Local, global)
Justice: Loving others by seeking their good, protection, gain and fair treatment.
Teams and Small Groups: Gathering with a small group for fellowship, study, and accountability in the faith journey.
Rest – as recovery, grace, and inheritance
Stability: Commiting to a particular place, community, or way of life, to build faithfulness toward God and others.
Fasting: Letting go of an appetite in order to seek God on matters of deep concern for others, myself and the world.
Worship: Giving praise, honor, and glory to God, through corporate gatherings, personal devotion, singing, and creative forms of expression.
Renewal – as resurrection, mission, and co-creation
Witness: Testifying to the life-changing love of Jesus to others.
Submission: Giving my life to Jesus as Master in absolutely every way.
Humility: Recognizing limitations and weaknesses, depending on God for strength and guidance.