Spiritual formation has gained increasing attention with theological schools as a significant element of the theological education process. Repeated Association of Theological Schools studies have revealed a broad interpretation of what is meant by spiritual formation and how it is achieved within the theological education framework. Theological schools look to what happens in the field education courses as the most significant source of spiritual formation.
Experience: Spiritual Formation in Theological Field Education provides effective resources that field educators may employ to foster spiritual formation. In the first section of the book twenty-five practices are introduced that are employed currently by field educators with strong favorable student feedback. In a second section ministerial leaders in a variety of settings share spiritual practices that they have found life-giving and foster deeper connection with God and God’s world.
Experience equips field educators for the significant task of fostering the spiritual growth of their students. Students in turn will have a treasure trove of spiritual formation exercises/practices that they can adapt as ministerial leaders in congregations, chaplaincy settings and in faith-based non-profit organizations.
Acknowledgements Introduction, Matthew Floding I: Spiritual Formation in Theological Field Education Introduction to Spiritual Formation in Theological Field Education, Dawn Davis Storytelling and the Spiritual Autobiography, Sung Hee Chang Just Gotta Tell Somebody: The Journey of African American Song and Story in Theological Reflection, C. Vanessa White Theological Reflection in a Prayerful Community, Marilyn Draper The Spiritual Practice of Mentoring, Debra Anderson Lead with Your Ears: SELAH Peer Group Spiritual Direction in Theological Field Education, John Hugh McNally Lectio Divina in Field Education, Tim Coltvet Visio Divina, Divine Seeing, Dorothee Tripodee Let Us Pray: Leading Prayer, Dawn Davis Ignatian Examen in Group Theological Reflection, L. Callid Keefe-Perry Spiritual Stones: The Practice of Sacred Remembering, Geoffrey Vandermolen Indigenous Spiritual Practices into the Field Education Program, Rosalyn Elm and Hana Scorrar Restorative Justice, Theological Reflection, and the Calling of the Catholic Church, Angela L. Swain Singing as Spiritual Practice, Thomas W. Elliott, Jr. Spiritual Practices in Field Education as Inwardly Digesting, GailMarie Henderson The Practice of Lament, Bonnie LeMelle Abadie Cultivating Holy Curiosity: Metanoia as a Spiritual Disposition for Christian Ministry, John Senior Gratitude Transforms, Carolyn A. Wright Breadmaking as Communal Spiritual Practice, Christina R. Zaker Contemplative Photography, Susan MacAlpine-Gillis The Spiritual Practice of Handcrafts: Nurturing the Soul for Ministry, Chelle Huth Rest, Release, Repeat: The Use of Embodied Prayer Practice for Integrative Contextual Education, Natalie Wigg-Stevenson Sabbath Keeping, Melvin R. Baber Rule of and for Life, James K. Hampton II. Lifegiving and Ministry Sustaining Practices Introduction, Matthew Floding Dream Appreciation as Spiritual Practice, James Hazelwood May All That Has Breath, Susan Hendershot Rest as Resistance, Kristina Lizardi-Hajbi A New Song: Singing as Spiritual Practice, Todd F. Campbell, Jr. Bringing My Grandmother in the Room: Relationality as Spiritual Practice, Danielle J. Buhuro The Lord’s Prayer, Katie Crowe Disrupting Prayer Time, Marc Lavarin, Sr. Trees, Rocks, Water, Hills, Tammerie Day Finding Something in Nothing, Michael Bos Grounding Practices: Pathways to Wisdom and Wellbeing, Theresa F. Latini Slowly and Slower Still, Christine J. Hong The Spiritual Practice of Honoring Urgency, Sarah B. Drummond They’ll Help You Keep at Ministry, William Willimon Curiosity as Spiritual Gift, Kent Busman Cultivating Attentiveness and Responsiveness through the Ignatian Examen, Megan Shepherd When the Mundane is Holy, Rhina Ramos I Can Paint a Wall, Ann M. Kansfield Grounded, Christy Berghoef The Power of Contemplative Meditation and Reflection, Amanda A. N. Alexander In Two Minds: Distraction and Spiritual Formation, Matthew Floding About the Contributors
Matthew Floding is general editor of the Explorations in Theological Field Education series and co-editor of the journal Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry. The Research and Publication Committee of ATFE has awarded Floding four research grants that have resulted in a dozen publications. He most recently served as Duke Divinity School’s director of ministerial formation. Rev. Dawn Davis, DMin, overseesfield education for students for ordained ministry and teaching at Huron University in Ontario, Canada. She is also the creator of Revive: Equipping Lay Leaders to be Spiritual Leaders, a video-based program that seeks to transform lay leaders in the church into confident lay spiritual leaders. Previously she was Faith Formation Coordinator for the Diocese of Niagara.
