A Liturgy for Wholeness

A Liturgy for Wholeness emerged from the opportunity to shape ecclesiastical culture that reimagines the holistic flourishing of vocational pastors. The research suggests that many pastors are not flourishing but surviving. Unrealistic expectations, comparison, an unreasonable number of needed competencies, and long work weeks contribute to this challenge, often resulting in burnout or moral decline. Reimagining pastoral work within the life arenas of divine calling, daily well-being, formational relationships, and resilience creates a significant opportunity for pastors to thrive holistically. A Liturgy for Wholeness is a fifty-two-week liturgy grounded in the historic church calendar. Each liturgical season will focus on one of the four life arenas that surfaced in the research. Each week consists of one liturgy designed to help pastors pray, reflect, and think deeply about their formation. Each liturgy includes an invocation, Lectio Divina, a curated reading, reflection questions, and spiritual practices. Advent | Week 1 Invocation Almighty God, in every age you have called out men and women to be your faithful servants. We believe you have now called us to join that great company who seek to follow you. Grant unto us today and always clear vision of your call and strength to fulfill the ministry assigned to us. We pray in the name of Christ. Amen. —Rueben P. Job and Norman Schawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants Silence Lectio Divina 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) | Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Jeremiah 3:15 (ESV) | And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. Reading I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world by his or her vulnerable self. That is the way Jesus came to reveal God’s love. The great message we have to carry, as ministers of God’s word and followers of Jesus is that God loves us not because of what we do or accomplish but because God has created us and redeemed us in love and has chosen us to proclaim that love as the source of all human life. —Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus Reflection | Silent or Written The prophet Jeremiah’s words are sobering: “I will give them shepherds after my own heart.” God’s heart is one of love. In Jesus, the shepherd is one who is vulnerable and giving. It is within this context that we find the model of calling. • Am I confident that God has called me to pastoral work? • In what ways am I proclaiming love as the source of my calling? • Have I intentionally or unintentionally abused my power? • What does it look like to bring our full vulnerable self to our calling and ministry? Practice Welcome Prayer The welcome prayer is a simple one that welcomes the day regardless of what that day may bring. It is a way of opening oneself to the presence of God and trusting him for every moment. This prayer prepares us to live with humility in each day of our calling. Welcome, welcome, welcome. I welcome everything that comes to me today because I know it's for my healing. I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions. I let go of my desire for power and control. I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval, and pleasure. I let go of my desire for survival and security. I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person, or myself. I open to the love and presence of God and God's action within. Amen. Deep Breathing This practice positions us in a place of dependence. We are depending on God for each breath. To fully live our calling, we depend on the breath of God to fill us with all that we need to serve those he loves. Imagine breathing in the love of God and the grace of calling, and breathing out all frustration, anxiety, manipulation, and control. Centering Prayer Find a comfortable place and put yourself in the center of God’s love. Choose a word or phrase from scripture and let this word “guard your attention.” Take time to quietly to be with Jesus. If your mind drifts, recall your sacred word and return to the presence of Christ. Let every thought and prayer be a response to the movement of God’s grace.