The next Missional Network gathering will be Thursday October 18th. For this gathering we will be discussing The Sacred Way by Tony Jones. The Sacred Way offers a helpful survey of the practices of the spiritual life. I like how Jones categorizes the practices into contemplative approaches to spritiuality including such practices as silence and solitude, sacred reading, centering prayer and spiritual direction; and bodily approaches to spiritually with such things as fasting, service, sabbath and utilizing the Labyrinth. Jones also provides a very helpful list of book and web resources for further study with each of the practices.

I think Jones’ book is very applicable for incorporating spiritual practices in everyday life, especially important for those with a missional mindset where the desire to see the church “go and be” rather than “come and see” is presented.

While all the practices are certainly not for every follower of Jesus, Jones uses Thomas a Kempis to provide wisdom concerning the varied type of practices:

All cannot use the same kind of spiritual exercises, but one suits this person, and another that. Different devotions are suited also to the seasons, some being best for the festivals, and others for ordinary days. We find some helpful in temptations, others in peace and quietness. Some things we like to consider when we are sad, and others when we are full of joy in the Lord.

KC Network
Thursday, October 18th
4:00pm-7:00pm
Kansas City Association
8745 Ballentine
Overland Park