Spiritual Discovery: A Method for Discernment in Small Groups and Congregations

by Catherine C. Tran, Sandra Hughes Boyd, Jane E. Vennard (Foreword by)

Overview

Spiritual Discovery: A Method for Discernment in Small Groups and Congregations is a practical guide for groups desiring a prayerful approach to decision-making. This book offers step-by-step guidance for practicing this process, the powerful instrument Catherine Tran and Sandra Boyd have created to help groups enact spiritual growth and change in their communities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781566997737
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/06/2015
Pages:	162
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Catherine C. Tran is Episcopal co-pastor at Grace Church in Buena Vista, Colorado, She also has a spiritual direction practice and leads Spiritual Discovery Groups in the Denver area.

Sandra Hughes Boyd is a retired interim and short-term parish ministry specialist with many years experience in a variety of congregations. A continuing occupation for her is in Adult Religious Education.

Visit the Spiritual Discovery website at http://www.spiritualdiscoverymethod.com/

Table of Contents

Foreword by Jane E. Vennard
Introduction
Part One: The Prayer Model
Chapter 1 – Jane Vennard’s Prayer Model
Chapter 2 – The Prayer Model in Depth
Chapter 3 – Hospitality
Chapter 4 – Participants’ Roles in the Prayer Model
Chapter 5 – The Order of the Prayer Model
Chapter 6 – The Modified Prayer Model
Chapter 7 – Debriefing
Part Two: The Spiritual Discovery Method
Chapter 8 - Discernment
Chapter 9 – Group Administration
Chapter 10 – The Design of the Spiritual Discovery Method
Chapter 11 – Essentials for the Spiritual Discovery Method
Chapter 12 – Challenges Groups Encounter
Part Three: The Compassionate Observer
Chapter 13 - The Power of Compassion and Observation
Chapter 14 – The Disciplines of the Compassionate Observer
Chapter 15 – Challenges for the Compassionate Observer
Part Four: The Spiritual Discovery Method - Stories
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Tran and Boyd have translated the spiritual direction work of Jane Vennard into a powerful model for group discernment and individual transformation. Like all spiritual direction, this model requires patience, dedication, and love, but the benefits in community are enormous.

Amy Frykholm

Tran and Boyd have shared their experience and wisdom with us in this practical guide about the lifelong process of spiritual discovery and discernment. They have beautifully woven together the artistry of discovery and the skilled craft of discernment through the hospitality of storytelling, the gift of holy listening, and the power of silence.

Gil W. Stafford

Spiritual Discovery is a beautifully accessible resource and clearly the fruit of much experience with group discernment. The authors’ combination of practical counsel and spiritual insight is nourishing throughout. Groups using this book will not only receive an extensively tested model of discernment but also discover fresh possibilities for discernment in their own unique setting.

Stephen V. Doughty

The ancient practice of spiritual direction has caught the attention of many segments of the church in the last few decades, but congregations often struggle to identify how this practice can shape the ethos of their communities today. In this thought-provoking, practical book, Tran and Boyd help congregations take a significant step toward integrating spiritual direction into their personal and communal discernment processes. Any pastor or lay person would benefit greatly from exploring and implementing the Prayer Model and Spiritual Discovery Method described in this book.

Angela H. Reed

Adapted from Jane Vennard's practice of group prayer, Tran and Boyd give us the fruit of years of experience and provide careful attention to each aspect of this spiritual discernment model. Those who are discernment guides will want to have this book.

Daniel Prechtel

Tran and Boyd have given us an invaluable, in-depth yet practical tool for using their Spiritual Discovery Method—along with suggestions about its multiple applications in group settings. What a different world we might have if we all became compassionate observers and practiced the spiritual discovery method!

Margaret F. Arms PhD

Tran and Boyd have given us an invaluable, in-depth yet practical tool for using their spiritual discovery method—along with suggestions about its multiple applications in group settings. What a different world we might have if we all became compassionate observers and practiced the spiritual discovery method!

Margaret F. Arms

Tran and Boyd have given us an invaluable, in-depth yet practical tool for using their Spiritual Discovery Method—along with suggestions about its multiple applications in group settings. What a different world we might have if we all became compassionate observers and practiced the spiritual discovery method!

Margaret F. Arms Ph.D