Spiritual Exercises for Church Leaders : Participant's Book

by Leckey, Dolores R.

• ISBN13: 9780809141630
• ISBN10: 0809141639
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: Paulist Pr

Summary

Spiritual Exercises for Church Leaders grows out of the Church Leadership Program of the Woodstock Theological Center where a systematic approach to the development of authentic leadership was designed and field tested in a number of settings. The process begins with a focus on gratitude, the foundation of spiritual growth, and then moves through the steps needed for authentic leadership. Being attentive and intelligent, being discerning and responsible: These are the steps that lead to conversion, and ultimately to authenticity. The process is based on the spiritual insights of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the theological method of Bernard Lonergan, S.J., and scripture. In particular, passages from the Acts of the Apostles show how leadership developed in the early Church, and how we can learn from that experience. Other disciplines -- the arts, history, and sociology -- together with reflective exercises are resources for understanding how change occurs, how culture impacts our religious understanding, and how creative solutions to contemporary problems can be fostered. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Foreword: Spirituality --- A Pearl of Great Price	7	(4)
Acknowledgments	11	(4)
Overview	15	(10)
Gratitude	25	(12)
Being Attentive	37	(13)
Exploring (Being Intelligent)	50	(12)
Discerning	62	(16)
Being Responsible	78	(8)
Community	86	(9)
Select Bibliography	95