Becoming a Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice

Most people in congregations do not easily talk about prayer.  

Do you long to be a part of a congregation—or lead a congregation—where prayer is a more comfortable part of what you do and how you talk with one another? Then this workshop is for you. It is designed for people who pray together in worship on Sundays, maybe ask others to pray for those who are in need, or begin meals with prayer, but who do not know how to talk about prayer with one another or how to cultivate the spiritual practice of prayer for themselves, much less for others.

Praying congregations are not temples of holiness. They are not filled with mystics or experts on prayer. Praying congregations are lively places made up of diverse people who are longing to take prayer seriously. In praying congregations everyone becomes eager and willing to talk about prayer.” —Jane E. Vennard, A Praying Congregation

In this workshop you will discover

• ways to encourage a vital prayer life within individuals and the congregation
• how to provide safe places where people can share their experiences and questions about prayer
• strategies for helping others wrestle with what prayer means in the Christian life

Come and explore the art of teaching prayer as a spiritual practice within your congregation by deepening your own experiences of prayer and discovering how each of us can become an effective teacher of prayer.

About Jane Vennard

Jane Vennard teaches prayer and spirituality at the Iliff School of Theology, Denver. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, Jane is also a spiritual director in private practice. Her book, A Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice, was published by the Alban Institute in 2005.

  Photo Credit: Old Shoe Woman

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