Grace Leads to Joy: Spiritual Formation and the Examen
Loading...
Issue Date
2021-02
Authors
Hoekstra, Edward Pierre, 1961-
Advisor
Pond, Uriah (Advisor)
Artist
Creator
Editor
Photographer
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint, 1491-1556. Examen
Examen
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Grace
Joy
Self
Presence of God
Faith
Oakridge Presbyterian Church (London, Ont.)
Christian leadership
Ministry
Spiritual life
Prayer
Examen
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Grace
Joy
Self
Presence of God
Faith
Oakridge Presbyterian Church (London, Ont.)
Christian leadership
Ministry
Spiritual life
Prayer
Citation
Hoekstra, Edward Pierre. “Grace Leads to Joy: Spiritual Formation and the Examen.” D. Min., Tyndale University, 2021.
Abstract
The purpose of this portfolio was to study how best to lead church congregants in Christian spiritual discernment toward spiritual formation. This portfolio begins with the author’s spiritual autobiography and with that knowledge the model of spiritual formation was developed. The spiritual model can be pictured using an image of a wheel where Christ is placed at the hub (the center) of one’s life and is connected to all the spokes (or parts) of one’s life. The model works to encourage people to move Christ closer to the center of their lives, where they can live and have their being in their “true selves,” as God’s will intends.
Using this model of spiritual formation, a field research project was developed to help spiritually form the spiritual leaders of the Oakridge Presbyterian Church congregation towards a greater unity in Christ. Using the Examen as a spiritual practice helped guide participants to focus and be intentional about noticing God’s presence in all things and therefore helping to keep Christ as the centre of their life. The field research component helped determine how the congregation’s spiritual leaders had deepened their awareness of the presence of God in daily life.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction - Chapter 2: My Story: A Spiritual Autobiography - Chapter 3: Developing a Model for Spiritual Formation - Chapter 4: Deepening the Awareness of the Presence of God in the Daily Lives of the Spiritual Leaders of the Congregation - Chapter 5: Conclusion and Implications
Publisher
Tyndale University
Copyright Notice
Copyright. Edward Pierre Hoekstra, managed by Tyndale University. All rights reserved.
Rights License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Rights License Link
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Alternative Title
Spiritual Formation and the Examen