revmom & wayne have put forth a question from a prior post on how to introduce contemplative worship into a church congregation. and with that i am interpreting it as a typical multi-generational congregation. this is the second congregation that i've introduced this too, so maybe i have some perspective. so here are my thoughts on intro to contemplative practices.
one must practice a contemplative lifestyle: i know this is cliche, but it is true, you need to know & experience a life with the various practices in order to lead them.
be able to tell the story: know the history and stories behind practices. if you are going to teach the Jesus Prayer, then know how to tell the story of the pilgrim.
start with smaller groups: as a longevity vision, begin with smaller groups that will spawn more passion to teach and lead others in contemplative practices. with adults i have access to the youth ministers of the church when we gather we spend time in silence, pray over the kids, some motioned prayer, lectio reading, etc. our sunday school class has talked about doing a lesson on various prayer methods
use an accessible prayer practice: i like to use lectio divina as an intro practice. when i first learned the practice people told me it was like a cow chewing cud it regurgitated. my friend sally brought out an analogy that i like to teach more. lectio reading is like receiving a package of photos. in the photos tells a story, you sort through them the first time really fast. the second time you slow down and notice some details of the pictures, sometimes picking some that you like more and more. by the third time you go through your pictures you find a picture that sticks with you, this is the picture you frame, goes on the wall, becomes part of your life. reading scripture in this fashion is much the same, when you have spent time reading in such a fashion you speed through, slow down, take notice, and eventually take something that you hold onto.
finding special times to introduce: people are open to practices when there are special services or special moments. the youth and i set up some sand prayer stations at our ash wednesday service last year. we did a taize' inspired contemplative service for our 9:30 service that was sandwiched between our youth choir sunday (which did their choir show at 8 & 11 services). people loved that service, and others once they heard we did what we did expressed interest in doing it again. we also have done a taize' style service with interactive prayer stations at our church retreats the last two years. last year i led that and introduced it, after the service the response was so great (i got letters even saying how powerful the experience was that they were not prepared for it) people got excited about how they can do the same for the church. we haven't done the whole church thing yet, but they did do it again this year at the church retreat.
have a good intro talk: i like to give this talk that has been met with great response. i give a simple talk about how to interact with prayer stations, how i might call people to gather, etc. what is important is that i give "permission" to take this "sacred space" with God however they feel God leading. i might espouse on how busy their lives are and they need time to chill and be alone, "so take this time to be with God." if you can incorporate a ritual to introduce the worship that can only help. jonathon likes to do breathing techniques to calm people. i'll use that if i feel the group is too anxious. after my talks (to youth mostly) i generally get some adult saying, "i could use that space too!"
be creative & inspired: i like to think that my time creating a worship experience is my worship. this is when i spend a great deal of time in the scriptures and meditating on them. from that is where prayer stations, images, and visions come from. after that i figure out how to create them. sometimes they are successful, sometimes they are not. don't shy away from inspiration, you never know how they will turn out, often times leading to greater inspiration. this is why you might see some of the prayer stations that i have created very ornate looking. i will call those my installations. one doesn't need to create a huge thing in order to give this "sacred space."
be okay with giving up control: too often we have to control things, the responses, the ups and downs, the flow, the Holy Spirit. if i've learned anything from this contemplative practice, it's that i have little control and little understanding for what actually happened. sometimes people will share with you what has happened with them, sometimes you see peoples emotions physically manifested (crying, prayer postures), most times i find they don't. it's only when you go without doing a contemplative practice for a long duration is when they say things like "why don't we do that contemplative worship again? i really liked that." that's when you sit them dumbfounded as you recall them just sitting there staring with a scowl type face the whole worship.
resource yourself: it is always helpful to have resources to help you out. i'd suggest picking up something from the uk as a resource. they have done this a bit longer than us (especially the prayer station mixed with liturgy). here is a list off the top of my head.
- alternative worship: a book of ideas, liturgies, etc. compiled from various uk worship communities. i like this one because it goes through the Christian calendar.
- check out the alternative worship website, plus the link to smallfire. this was one of my first intros that other folks were doing this type of worship experience.
- worship feast: shameful promotion of the projects i've helped with at some level. taize songbook, taize worships, prayer stations, ideas, worships, rituals, and more.
- pick up and read daniel wolpert's book "creating a life with God" it has a great primer, with some depth, of prayer practices. he also has in there suggestions on how to use with varied groups.
- jonny baker's worship tricks. this is an updated ideas list. it takes a bit of understanding to recreate or use, but the ideas are always excellent
- lilly will be coming out with a book soon on prayer stations... hmm, lilly when is that book coming?
- i've liked sally morgenthaler as a speaker & leader. her website is going through an update currently, but just google her and see what you can find.
hope this list can help. if you have any specific questions feel free to comment and i'll respond through comments.
