Inviting congregational transformation through pastoral spiritual practice

Jonathan Taylor Haley

Etd

Inviting congregational transformation through pastoral spiritual practice

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Jonathan Taylor Haley. Inviting Congregational Transformation Through Pastoral Spiritual Practice. McCormick Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/57b1c983-9067-410e-aaf2-8546ce7e4709.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

J. T. Haley. Inviting congregational transformation through pastoral spiritual practice. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/57b1c983-9067-410e-aaf2-8546ce7e4709

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Jonathan Taylor Haley. Inviting Congregational Transformation Through Pastoral Spiritual Practice. McCormick Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/57b1c983-9067-410e-aaf2-8546ce7e4709.

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

Creator

Jonathan Taylor Haley

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In Copyright

Abstract

Is it possible for the church today to undergo a spiritual transformation? What would it take for a congregation to experience that type of revitalization? Will a 'transformed' leader produce a 'transformed' church? Can the traditional disciplines of prayer, reading scripture, and experiencing true solitude and true community make a difference in the lives of busy, proud, 'know it all' Christians? I am convinced that significant spiritual transformation is possible in the church today -- and I have already begun to experience it at First Presbyterian Church. The most critical factor so far in transformation for this church has been personal transformation in the life of its pastor. This project attempted to promote spiritual transformation in the church by recognizing and supporting a continued process of transformation in the life of the pastor and by utilizing a family systems approach to change. Major steps included self-awareness and living into the person God has created; living into the particularities of one's giftedness and situation; utilizing long-held spiritual traditions of prayer, solitude, community and spiritual direction; living as a non-anxious presence and recognizing that one individual's change within the system forces the system itself to change. From the written responses of various individuals within and outside of First Presbyterian Church we can conclude that a spirit of transformation is alive in the congregation and in the lives of individuals there, as a result of the spiritual growth of the pastor.

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