Nurturing the Pastor's Spiritual Discipline of Prayer Through the Dynamic of Spiritual Direction
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1987 Nurturing the Pastor's Spiritual Discipline of Prayer Through the Dynamic of Spiritual Direction Derek John Morris Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Morris, Derek John, "Nurturing the Pastor's Spiritual Discipline of Prayer Through the Dynamic of Spiritual Direction" (1987). Dissertation Projects DMin. 203. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/203 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Order Number 8724215 Nurturing the pastor’s spiritual discipline of prayer through the dynamic of spiritual direction Morris, Derek John, D.Min. Andrews University, 1987 Copyright ©1987 by Morris, Derek John. All rights reserved. UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark V . 1. Glossy photographs or pages_____ 2. Colored illustrations, paper or ______print 3. Photographs with dark background____ 4. Illustrations are poor copy______ 5. Pages with black marks, not original______ copy 6. Print shows through as there is text on both sides______ of p ag e 7. 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Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary NURTURING THE PASTOR'S SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER THROUGH THE DYNAMIC OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION A Project Report Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Derek John Morris June 1987 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NURTURING THE PASTOR'S SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER THROUGH THE DYNAMIC OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION A project report presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Derek John Morris APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Robert M. Johnston, Chairman , SDA Theological Seminary C. Raymond Holmes 1)~ 7 Benjamin D. Schoun Datar approved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © Copyright by Derek John Morris 1987 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT NURTURING THE PASTOR'S SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER THROUGH THE DYNAMIC OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION by Derek John Morris Chairman: Robert M. Johnston Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Project Report Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminar/ Title: NURTURING THE PASTOR'S SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE OF PRATER THROUGH THE DYNAMIC OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION Name of researcher: Derek John Morris Name and degree of faculty advisor: Robert M. Johnston, Ph.D. Date completed: June 1987 Problem Current research demonstrates that we cannot assume that seminarians have received sufficient guidance in spiritual formation prior to the completion of their Seminary training. Therefore, there is a great need to explore ways of nurturing spiritual formation for those involved in pastoral ministry. It was the purpose of this present study to explore the potential of spiritual direction as a dynamic for nurturing the pastor's spiritual discipline of prayer. 2 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 3 Method A spiritual friend, who had received training in spiritual direction, was selected with guidance from Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. A twelve-month case study was established with the author of the present study as the directee. The experience was recorded in a spiritual journal. Results The process of spiritual direction proved to be a powerful dynamic in nurturing the spiritual discipline of prayer in the directee. The spiritual journal records a process of significant spiritual formation. Conclusions While no normative conclusions can be drawn, the recorded experience of the author is a testimony to the potential of spiritual direction as a dynamic for nurturing spiritual life in ministry. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DEDICATION To my wife Bodil, who shares with me the gift of friendship and love, and to my two sons Christopher and Jonathan who are teaching me about the Father's love. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKOWLEDGMENTS ....................................... vi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ................................... 1 Justification of the Study ................. 3 Limitations of the Study .................... 5 Definition of Terms ........................ 6 Biblical Quotations.......................... 8 II. EXPLORING THE CONCEPT OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION . 9 Survey of the Old Testament................. 9 Survey of the New Testament................. 14 Survey of the Writings of Ellen G. White . 24 Methodist Roots and the Social Meeting . 24 Counsel on Seeking Personal Spiritual D i r e c t i o n .............................. 31 S u m m a r y ................................... 36 Historical Development of the Concept of Spiritual Direction in the Christian Church 37 Primitive Christianity through the Patristic E r a .......................... 37 The Imperial-State Church and the Rise of Monasticism .................... 43 The Middle A g e s .......................... 53 The Reformation E r a ...................... 57 Modern Christianity ...................... 65 Contemporary Literature ................. 69 S u m m a r y ................................... 82 III. THE TWELVE-MONTH CASE STUDY IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION ................................... 84 Identifying a Working Model ............... 84 Selection of a Spiritual Friend ........... 91 The Telephone Call and Get-Acquainted Visit 94 The Initial Session and Covenant ........... 97 Learnings about the Process of Spiritual D i r e c t i o n ................................. 100 Spiritual Commitment of Spiritual Friend . 100 Good Listening Skills .................... 101 Loving Confrontation ...................... 102 Value of Accountability .................... 104 Spiritual Counsel .......................