Spiritual Practice

Why Do Spiritual Practices Matter?

In a world like ours, an unattended faith life can become like a stale room, an obnoxious child, or a vacant lot filled with thorns. Rather than thriving, we end up living inattentively. Our relationships and our communities deserve better. By the grace of God, spiritual practices are about exploring the intersections of life and faith. They help us experience a sense of God’s presence beyond just survival.

Ancient Christian Practices

Bridge Builders for a Thriving Mission helps people develop ancient Christian practices that help us stay awake and responsive to God’s presence. For example:

• Lectio Divina and Visio Divina (sacred reading)

• Community

• Radical Hospitality

• Conversatio Morum (transforming way of life)

• Discernment of Charisms and Gifts

Ministerial Workplace

Supporting Pastoral Leaders

Transitioning from individual parishes to Area Catholic Communities has included new structures and systems for the pastoral leadership team. This can prove both invigorating and challenging, depending on unique factors in each community and circumstance. These kinds of dynamics require pastoral leaders to be attentive and proactive to best-practices for cultivating healthy workplace relationships and processes. Bridge Builders for a Thriving Mission equips pastoral leadership teams with reliable data, effective training, and practical resources. This support helps these leaders draw closer to one another and practice listening together for where the Holy Spirit might be leading.

Gift Discernment

Discovering Gifts for Service

Gift discernment and strength discovery help ordained and lay pastoral leaders develop a sense of calling as they identify their gifts for service. Leadership development in Area Catholic Communities is critical, both in terms of ongoing formation for ministry staffs, as well as identifying new leaders for our diverse communities. Psalm 139 reminds us that each person is "fearfully and wonderfully made" and 1 Cor 12 says, "the Body of Christ is made up of many parts."

What is the Fruit of Discernment?

When a people gain a clearer sense of their God-given uniqueness and callings, they better understand the ways they pray, see the world, and relate to other people. When we discern together how God is calling each of us to use our unique gifts collaboratively, then our community and mission can thrive.