Sabbath for the Shepherd:

A Quiet PentecostDwight Judy

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

John 20Gathered in fear

Peace be with you

As the Father has sent me, so I send you

Receive the Holy Spirit

Two PentecostsQuiet Pentecost of John 20

Extravaganza Pentecost of Acts 3

Church keeps looking for renewal like Acts 3

There would be no Acts 3 without John 20!

Let us look where the Holy Spirit is acting rather than wishing for something different.

Could this time of quiet be of God’s designing?

“The church is of God and will exist until the end of time…..

All in every age and station stand in need of the grace which it alone supplies.”

Galatians 5:18-26Now the works of the flesh are obvious:

fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery,

enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy,

drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. . . .

Galatians 5:18-26By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

United Methodist ChurchReclaim Unity

Renew Method

Dwell in the Peace of Christ

Definition and Rules of the Methodist Societies

“Such a society is no other than ‘a company of [people] having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.’”

Avoid evil

Do good

Attend upon Ordinances of the Church

Be a Society“Such a society is no other than ‘a

company of [people] having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.’”

The Holy Spirit Among Us John Cassian, late 4th to early 5th century

Almost 50 contributors across denominations, size of congregations, regions

Renewal of prayer disciplines – renaissance of prayer forms

Small group spiritual formation Companions in Christ Scripture meditation Wesleyan Covenant Discipleship

Applications for discernment of our calling before God, individually, in committee work, for whole congregation

Love God with all of you heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. Love your

neighbor as yourself. Spiritual formation is the

process of becoming more like Jesus Christ for the sake of others.

-- Robert Mulholland

Spiritual Disciplines in Soul Feast

Spiritual Reading of Scripture

Prayer

Corporate Worship

Practices of self-emptying

Spiritual Companioning

Hospitality

Developing a Rule of Life

Rule of LifeMarjorie Thompson, Soul Feast

A rule of life is

a pattern of spiritual disciplines

that provides

structure and direction

for growth in holiness.

Very Good News for United Methodists!

Confusion around theology – how can we articulate a stance of “grace” to a world intent on conflict?

Trying the next new thing – focus on numbers alone

“Christianity” has been hijacked by media.

Methodist heritage is all about “method”! Our purpose is to grow closer to God and more loving toward neighbor through spiritual disciplines

Aim – to be made perfect in love in this life!

John Wesley“The Means of Grace”

How do we “wait upon the Lord?”

By “marching forward with all our might.”

Ordinary Means of GracePublic and Private PrayerAttending upon Sacraments of the ChurchScripture readingHoly ConferencingFasting or Abstinence

Disciplines of Holy LivingWesleyan Heritage

Being made perfect in love in this life

Rules of the SocietiesDo no evilDo goodAttend upon the Ordinances of the Church

Sacraments (particularly Holy Communion)Searching the ScripturesPublic and Private PrayerFasting or AbstinenceHoly Conferencing

Covenant Discipleship ModelDavid Lowes Watson, Gayle Turner Watson, Steven

Manskar

Rule of St. Benedict6th Century

& the 21st Century Church

Lectio Divina – our life of prayerful study

Opus Dei – our life of worship

Opus Manuum – our work of service, mission, and administration

Hospitality to all

Leaven for the Bread of Life

Spiritual formation focus provides “leaven” for the congregation

Reflective study groups – “meeting together in order to help each other work out our salvation.”

A congregation of soul friends

Teaching all lay leadership spiritual disciplines

Allowing Jesus to Lead Us

Going on to Perfection of Love

What spiritual practices help you to connect with God?

What practices help you to grow in love of neighbor?

How would you know if you are growing in love?

Meister Eckhart – “The Holy Spirit comes upon us bit by bit. . . . So that were we to live a thousand years, we could still grow in love.”