The Friends in Fellowship worship sharing group had its regular (although there never seems to be anything "regular" about them other than the frequency which they are held -- each gathering is unique) meeting last night. After opening with deep silence, a conversation began on the topic of what makes for a spiritual community. The concern behind the initial thoughts on this issue, as I understand it, came from a desire to ensure that Friends Meetings were more than social communities, but were indeed spiritual communities. "There has to be something more than I like you and you like me and that's why we choose to meet," seemed to be the thought behind this.
The thoughtful comments and questions that came for the next almost an hour were wise and reflective. And ultimately we left the question unsettled to some extent. Does a spiritual community differ from a social community because instead of human-to-human relationships it is based on human-to-God-to-human relationships? Is it based on "a call" to join the group? Is it covenantal in nature -- either with a formal understanding of the covenant or an implied one? Is the difference that clear cut between the two types of groups?
As you might suspect, the topic changed directions some and followed the stream of asking "How do we foster a spiritual community" -- since, regardless of the divergence in thought about what makes up a spiritual community, it was obvious that we all wanted to be a part of one (why else do we gather?!). The only true clearness we received on that topic was "We don't need more potluck dinners!" Behind that, of course, was the idea that we can't force spiritual (or social) communities by setting up programs.
Still, on a night that one of spiritual community and fostered the experience of the Divine in those who were gathered, the questions remain -- what is a spiritual community and what do we do to foster it?
Ideas? Comments? Suggestions?
--Brent
Monday, September 24, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I think a spiritual community is a group of people that shares some part of their spiritual journeys with each other: where it is normal and accepted and expected that we have and can talk about our spiritual experiences.
I think there can be different types of spiritual communities - some covenantal and intentional and some merely an outgrowth of a social community gathered around some other element of life.
This explains why some quilting circles or book clubs or softball teams (just for examples) are also spiritual communities and some are not. And why some people who belong to churches still feel the lack of spiritual community - if they're not acknowledging and sharing their spiritual experiences, it doesn't matter how many religious pictures hang on the walls.
One way we foster spiritual community is by being brave and willing to talk about our own spiritual experiences and to ask thoughtful questions. I think it helps if we can share our own religious insights without dictating that these must be the same as others' experiences. I also think it's easier if we find others who have similar interpretations of the spiritual significance of events to share our lives with. Sometimes this depends as much on social circumstances as spiritual leadings.
I'm curious about the language used for the months in your blog archive?
Robin Mohr
What Canst Thou Say?
Thanks, Robin for your insight and input. I really resonate with your idea that "One way we foster spiritual community is by being brave and willing to talk about our own spiritual experiences and to ask thoughtful questions." Thanks for sharing.
Regarding the language used for the months -- as a descendant of Franco-Norwegian-Native Americans who lived in a remote part of Saskatchewan, I use this almost unknown language to honor that ancestry. Either that or there's some weird programming language glitch that I can't figure out. So for now I'm stuck with shator, gusht, et al as archive month names.
- Brent
Brent,
You've heard from my husband Richard M quite a bit, I've noticed. Here's my two cents.
One practice our monthly meetings engage in is to answer the queries for monthly meetings annually. (At least most of us do). The most important aspect of the queries process is the gathering of members to reflect in waiting silence about the spiritual health of each meeting. The written answers that result are read in the meeting for business sessions at yearly meeting. At that time we can know what blessings, or struggles are occuring. Meetings often answer one per month and approve the written answer in monthly meeting for business. I've been trying to acquire the queries and learn about their use from other yearly meetings Faith and Practice, but have not found many that answer them publicly.
Another practice I've noticed, is that one of the responsiblities that our elders take seriously, is encouraging vocal ministry. Every time I'm led to speak, at rise of meeting, an elder approaches me to affirm that I did well. I'm not including the people who often approach and let me know the message was for them.
Our monthly meeting has been growing slowly, with friends from different quaker traditions, and it will be interesting to see how we integrate.
Mary M
Ah, Mary, if only most Meetings knew how to do eldering as wisely and well as yours does. We tend, I think, to see eldering as more telling people when they are speaking too much or hurtfully (which is needed) than we do encouraging vocal ministry done well!
Post a Comment