The art and praxis of spiritual direction as a pastoral approach for leading Reformed congregations

Kenton W Smith

Etd

The art and praxis of spiritual direction as a pastoral approach for leading Reformed congregations

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Kenton W Smith. The Art and Praxis of Spiritual Direction As a Pastoral Approach for Leading Reformed Congregations. San Francisco Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/34ae4fbc-b476-490c-aa46-bd1179cd03d8.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

K. W. Smith. The art and praxis of spiritual direction as a pastoral approach for leading Reformed congregations. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/34ae4fbc-b476-490c-aa46-bd1179cd03d8

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Kenton W Smith. The Art and Praxis of Spiritual Direction As a Pastoral Approach for Leading Reformed Congregations. San Francisco Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/34ae4fbc-b476-490c-aa46-bd1179cd03d8.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

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Kenton W Smith

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Abstract

Presbyterian pastors trained in spiritual direction try to integrate spiritual practices--silence, discernment, meditative prayer--into their leadership role. Pastor-spiritual directors, elders, and scholars in spirituality were interviewed. The author explored his congregation's historical and sociological setting. His findings indicate a disconnection between reason and spirituality. Spiritual direction is emerging in a church crisis of spiritual decline. For historical perspective, he turned to John Calvin, Karl Rahner, and Howard Thurman. Additional insights came from biblical study, spiritual theologians, and contemporary church leaders. He concluded the Reformed church lacks a 'practical spirituality' and proposed a spiritual direction approach to pastoral leadership.

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