Commitments 

Core Elements

1) A common “rule of life” – an intentional pattern for forming our habits, guiding our hearts, and guarding our lives; shared practices of body, mind and heart, friendship and community. In the Christian tradition, these practices as sanctified by the Spirit and sustained over time and are the path of spiritual formation. A rule is shared and held in common with other companions, recognizing that we will become fully human – living the lives God meant for us to live – only in community.

2) Companions – this community is made up of people who are ready to walk the way of Jesus together through everyday life. When someone decides to join, they become a companion, one who commits to practice and explore themes that connect to and impact our daily lives.

3) Commitment – participation as a companion is a commitment of grace that is embraced freely and gladly. We commit with intentionality to practice the spiritual disciplines and weave them into our home life, work responsibilities, hobbies and friendships.

4) Friends – participation in a small group with a minimum of two others to meet regularly – preferably in person or via a helpful digital platform – for encouragement, prayer and mutual sharing of life’s joys and sorrows.

5) Commons – once every 6-8 weeks, the community congregates to share a meal, or by technology, for a brief gathering to discuss a particular spiritual practice.

Practices

See All Practices for an overview.

Daily:

a) Prayer: seeking communion with God, we pray three times each day:

  • Morning devotional (beginning our day with God before turning to our devices) – We encourage each person to use the same devotional book (Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year, by Phil Reinders). This gives the community a common language and consistent walk through the scriptures and church year. 10-15 minutes.

  • Midday – Reciting the 23rd Psalm or the Lord’s Prayer. Reflecting on the mornings encounters with people and projects and anticipating the afternoons callings.

  • Evening – reading and meditating on a prayer of “examen” – a short prayer at day’s end to bring all elements of our day to God.

Prayer of Examen

1.    Open your heart. Recall that you are in the presence of God. Give thanks for one thing, one gift you have been given this day. 

2.    Ask the Spirit to come into your heart and help you freely and honestly review the happenings of the day. Search for the movements of your heart which may have been divided between helping and disregarding, listening and ignoring, criticising and forgiving, speaking and silence.

3.    Look ahead to tomorrow. Have a heart-to-heart with Jesus. Ask for direction, for support. What do you want to do tomorrow, with God’s help? See the next days tasks with expectation that God will be good, that you will notice His work in the situation, and that His will – will be done.

b) Scripture: listening for the voice of God, we read scripture each day (passage is in the morning devotional or an alternative resource—such as The Daily Bread or resources that take you through the Bible in one year), immersing ourselves in God’s story. The central discipline of the follower of Jesus is to listen, pay attention, and turn the ear of our heart to God.

c) Digitally Disengage: recognizing the power of digital media and technology to twist, detract, and entertain, we will unplug and rest from our devices for a minimum of one waking hour (example: removing devices from dinner or an hour before bedtime…).

Weekly:

a) Silence: we commit to a 30 minute period of silence, an occasion to waste time with God (example: a short walk in a park or the time it takes to brew and enjoy a cup of tea…).

b) Fasting: we give ourselves to fasting part of one day per week, discerning what sort of fast will be most beneficial and appropriate for our lives…(example: fasting from a meal, or some other form of saying “no” – TV, media, coffee…). This discipline forms part of our life-giving renunciations - to willingly say NO to the multiple means and compulsions that disciple us away from Jesus and focus our minds and hearts around what gives us life - Jesus Christ.

c) Common Worship: we will join with God’s people for gathered or digital worship when possible. It is suggested that the shape of the Sabbath day would emphasize appropriate rest and refreshment.

Monthly:

a) Friendships: we will meet in a small group with a minimum of two others for encouragement, a modicum of accountability and a time of prayer for each other and our world. It is suggested meeting either by technology or when possible in person. (If there are three who wish to be together or two couples willing to join together, we will do our best to accommodate. Consider bringing two other people to the community and become a triad. Otherwise, we will prayerfully put our triads together.)

b) Hospitality: knowing Jesus did some of his best work over a meal and countering the prevalent isolation and loneliness, we recommend a practice of sharing a meal with others. (A suggestion presently pending – taking into consideration our present health directives.)

Every 6-8 weeks:

a) Commons: we will meet with the larger community for a meal, or by technology, with a brief reflection and discussion of a spiritual practice.