Take the best and run with it. That has been one of my favorite values of the Vineyard. We can look at over 2000 years of church history and see the good things people have done in their pursuit of Jesus. We have permission to use whatever works today to help us and others as we journey towards being like Christ. Because of this value, I sought out to learn about the spiritual disciplines.
Discipline as a word or concept isn’t currently in vogue. Yet, the richness of the practice and history of christian disciplines is quite astounding and inspiring. Spiritual disciplines are regular practices that promote spiritual growth. They include things like fasting, silence and solitude, Sabbath, worship, and submission.
What gets in our way of learning about or beginning spiritual disciplines? We often have a sense of not wanting to get caught up in religiosity. We fear that our hearts will harden towards grace and we would begin to try to earn our salvation. But what I’ve found to be true is that I enter into the grace of Jesus in the disciplines. I realize there is nothing I can do without him, most of all earn or gain freedom or salvation.
I enter into the grace of Jesus in the disciplines. I realize there is nothing I can do without him, most of all earn or gain freedom or salvation.
Michael and his wife Jess reside in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He currently coordinates the Hub Pioneering Leadership program, which is in 24 locations around the UK and is training 400 plus students in leadership skills. He also coordinates VI and Spiritual Direction within the Vineyard Churches of the United Kingdom and Ireland. He is a trained spiritual director and member of the Order of Sustainable Faith. His heart lies with wanting to help the local church be as healthy and intentional as possible. His other passions and hobbies are of the geek variety; astronomy, games of all sorts, history, and anything he hasn’t been able to try yet.
The views expressed on this site or in this media are those of the speaker(s), author(s), or contributor(s), and do not necessarily represent the views of Vineyard USA or any of its Regions, Ministries or Initiatives. For more information, see the
Vineyard USA disclaimer here.
