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Upper Room Leadership Presents Attentiveness at Week-Long Event

by Andrew J. Schleicher

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://photos.gbod.org

(NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 24, 2009/GBOD) — Jesus asked the disciples on the road to Emmaus, "What are you looking for?" Over 135 Christians from many traditions have come together this week to journey into a deeper spiritual life.

"A River Deep and Wide: Christian Spiritual Practices for the 21st Century" is presented by the Academy of Spiritual Formation, a ministry of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, and runs April 20-25. Many participants previously were involved with the academy's other programs. However, some came from their love of Weavings Journal, a co-sponsor of "A River Deep and Wide."

Pamela Hawkins

John Mogabgab

He then went on to read from a past issue of Weavings a story about "Border Crossings" by Deborah Smith Douglas (Nov/Dec 2002): "There are (and will be till we die) plenty of borders that, by grace, we can cross as we seek to follow Christ."

The group reflected on their own border crossings, whether about how "the Academy [of Spiritual Formation] has changed me forever" or about a literal crossing of the U.S.-Mexico border. Mogabgab spoke of how the support he received from Henri Nouwen and Parker Palmer led him to accept a position at the Upper Room. Another participant shared how a night spent with a druggie friend in an alley gave him a sense of peace.

Spiritual formation is a tough subject to discuss. "In some ways it is easier to talk about sex than to enter into a conversation about God," said Stephen Bryant, world editor and publisher of The Upper Room, in a separate workshop. "The way we deepen the conversation is by inviting the people gradually."

Stephen Bryant

He told of one congregation that asks at every business meeting, "What are the signs of God's presence in our lives?" Those congregational meetings go on further to explore their sense of God's call. What ever you are looking for, one needs to be attentive to where God is leading.

The General Board of Discipleship's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD (www.gbod.org) is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at 877-899-2780, ext. 7017.

Andrew J. Schleicher is a writer and editor living in Nashville, Tenn.

News Media Contact: Jeanette Pinkston, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 340-7017 or jpinkston@gbod.org