Practicing Community: Postures and Practices for Spiritual Formation

Abstract

This Research Portfolio explores the ministry of spiritual formation through the development of Practicing Communities (PCs) in Christian congregations. Aspects of individualism in my personal life and spiritual communities are reflected through a spiritual autobiography describing the effects of relational dynamics on my spiritual development from childhood onward. I explore the concept of communal spirituality using insights from theology, Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), psychology, and biblical studies. These insights provide a practice-based framework for developing PCs in Christian congregations. An autoethnography draws further insights from my experiences during a season of isolation from my spiritual community. Written through the lens of neurodiversity, this research offers a unique perspective on how specific postures shared within PCs help facilitate the integration and participation of individuals. I conclude by describing how the interaction of the practices and postures explored throughout this portfolio provides a more complete context for spiritual formation in the context of PCs and other spiritual communities.