A Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice

by Jane E. Vennard

Book Overview

?I believe that God is calling all of us into deeper prayer and is longing for our congregations to become places of prayer,? writes Jane E. Vennard. Pastors and others who want to develop their... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156699313X
• ISBN13: 9781566993135
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Globe Pequot Publishing Group Inc/Bloomsbury
• Length: 164 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Really good resource

Good clear writing. The topics were well covered. The exercises that are included are a helpful resource.

very usefull

this is a good read on how to introduce spiritual practices in your life and congregation

Spiritual Practice, Spirt-filled prayer

This book is a treasure for those wanting to help others, and themselves understand prayer - truly, from our inmost being. Vennard teaches (and she is a good teacher) how to discover, embrace and release some of our definitions of prayer and experience communion with our Lord in prayer - in the way that works for each of us. We are all created with special relationship with our Creator, and the way we interact will honor our uniqueness. A great tool, a great blessing for those who feel called to lead others in a journey to prayer. Don't let the price stop you - this is a gem in a paperback cover, and you will not regret the investment.

A Helpful Guide for Congregational Leaders

Prayer is often named as an essential spiritual practice, at the heart of religious life in many traditions. Yet many people who participate in religious congregations are uncertain how to pray, except in the ritualized forms of worship services, table grace, and other ways of "saying prayers." In this powerful and instructive work, Jane Vennard teaches the reader how prayer can be a basic part of the spiritual practice of individuals and communities. The work begins with chapters which speak to the importance of creating safe environments for prayer, learning to listen to God, each other and ourselves, and examining our beliefs about prayer and our images of God with whom we are in relation. With these in mind, the book continues to discuss the many forms of prayer and offer practical guidance to those with responsibility as teachers of prayer. Vennard's 40 years of teaching experience shines through the very carefully crafted suggested activities found throughout the book. Using them will help readers discover their own ways of prayer and share in shaping the prayer life of their communities. I recommend this work as a very helpful resource, especially for congregational leaders who want to help develop a praying congregation.

A very strong work

This book is great. It is not flashy, and will probably not produce the hype of many trendy books on church life, but it discusses really profound practices and principles. Rather than a one size fits all appraoch, Vennard talks about the general principles that may look very different in different congregations. She talks about the importance of being a safe church so that people can pray together. She also offers a wonderful description of different forms of prayer, and offers very practicle advice about how to do the different forms. She offers some very personal stories about teaching prayer, and with great vulnerability, encourgages others to be vunerable as well.