
The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction

I do not mean that all pastors write poems or speak in rhyme, but that they treat words with reverence, stand in awe before not only the Word, but words, and realize that language itself partakes of the sacred.
Eugene H. Peterson • The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
The poet is the person who uses words not primarily to convey information but to make a relationship, shape beauty, form truth.
Eugene H. Peterson • The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
Prayer is the most thoroughly present act we have ashumans, and the most energetic:
Eugene H. Peterson • The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
Most pastoral work actually erodes prayer.
Eugene H. Peterson • The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
St. John listens to God, is silent before God, sings to God, asks questions of God. The listening and silence, the songs and questions are wonderfully in touch with reality, mixing the sights and sounds of Roman affairs with the sights and sounds of salvation - angels and markets and Caesars and Jesus. St. John doesn't miss much. He is an alert and
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The apocalyptic pastor prays.
Eugene H. Peterson • The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
Pastors are the persons in the church communities who repeat and insist on these kingdom realities against the world appearances, and who therefore must be apocalyptic.
Eugene H. Peterson • The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
Early church Christians believed thatthe resurrection of Jesus inaugurated a new age. They were in fact - but against appearances - living in God's kingdom, a kingdom of truth and healing and grace.
Eugene H. Peterson • The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction
"Apocalyptic was the mother of all Christian theology."