The birth of my spiritual formation is sitting and talking with grandmother, Jessie Will Rogers, about God after Sunday dinner. Jessie felt that it was important for the grand children to attend West Union Missionary Baptist Sunday school and church and she had these summary books of bible stories in which we read after dinner and discuss. I can remember explaining Daniel in the Lion’s den as it relates to racism and oppression. This was transformative learning through experiences and community support. This transformative learning through experiences and community support continues through my spiritual formation is Sunday school. I can remember my Sunday school teacher being open to my questions and was willing at times to call …show more content…
This is where I believed what my grandfather and grandmother collided and my life had purpose. All my ancestors, from slaves to the present, were living through me and they each deposited their spirit within me to make the next generation life better for me. Conversely, in the Map of the Soul section in the Handbook of Transformative Learning, the author explains Jungian approach to transformative learning as individual as it relates to conscious and unconscious of the psyche. This is in direct contrast to African education where the village is in charge of driving the learning and the individual is more aware of what he/she is being exposed to and therefore is more conscious and less unconscious. I had more conscious awaking at Bethel AME …show more content…
This was the first time I had to work in a group in order for us to reach a common goal of ordination. There were three of us in Board of Examiners and only one was a lifetime AME. The lifetime AME helped us navigate the system of Board of Examiners and we help him with his class work because he was still in high school. Additionally, the theme of working in groups continued in seminary so that all of the African American would complete the M.Div. on the expected graduation date. The death of mother, Rev. Brenda Rogers Edge, shaped my spiritual formation. Mother’s death was transformative because I had to have the support of my community while I grieved. The general manager of my workplace suggested that I enroll in Clinical Pastoral Education in order to work through my grief as the workplace look past the fact that I was not working. Another tragedy in my life that effects my spiritual formation is cancer. This is transformative learning through experience and support. My community, work, sorority, and church, have been supportive and have shared stories and testimonials which has shaped my belief that I will get through this because I have examples of
About a year ago, I began to find genuine interest in spiritual knowledge and learning, and its value and many applications outside of formal education and studies. I began researching philosophers and reading their works regarding spiritualism, new ways of thinking and perceiving things, as well as how our lives as human work in conjunction with the universe around us. I find this kind of thinking, and discovering some of the infinite wealth of knowledge around me, to be both personal and liberating.
My spiritual formation took a new turn when in 2013 my parents’ house was burned down in an arson. At that time, I was living with my parents. Since, the house was not insured, our local church and our acquaintances in the neighborhood helped us financially so we could rebuild our house, while a family in the neighborhood gave us shelter at their house. The love and care of the
Objective 2: Participation: I Observed Dr. Montgomery practicing pastoral care; by being an effective listener, and providing compassion, support, and assurance to each patient that he interacted with.
It is significant that pastoral caregivers find that balance between caring for self and the caring for those they have dedicated their lives to giving care. This was a very enlightening week in reading the narratives of Robert C. Dykstra, “Images of Pastoral Care.” There was one in particular, “the intimate stranger”. He spoke about his own personal stresses and challenges and disillusionment which confronted him as a pastoral caregiver. It is not he did not love his vocation as a hospital chaplain, he sensed it was beginning to take a toll on him. Dykstra, was very open and honest in regards to what occurred in his life. Pastoral caregivers have dedicated their lives to being there in crisis situations for others. It is the assumption pastoral caregivers will always have the answers to everyone else’s hurts and hopes.
In fifth grade I found out my mom had breast cancer. I didn’t fully understand what it meant at the time, but as I got older I understood the severity of the situation my mother had to face. Eight surgeries and seven years later she is cancer free but still faces severe nerve damage and lots of doctors appointments and physical therapy. This put strains on me to take care of her and to do everything in my power to make her day easier by having one less thing to worry about: me. This was, and continues to be my driving force and motivation in school, my extra curriculars, and every day life choices.
Dramatic events have occurred frequently in my life, and some affected me more than others. Some had negative effects like from first to third grade when I was bullied because of how I talked and my last name which led to me becoming shy and less talkative. My mission trip to Kentucky didn’t just help the people we were helping, but it also helped me in different ways. The work and what I saw made me appreciate what I had here, and got me to want to help people whenever I could. During some free time when the others where away, me and 2 friends got permission to go climb a mountain that was steep and tall. On the way up, a root came out of the wall and I almost fell, but it wasn’t tall and wouldn’t have done a lot. After getting to the top, we just started walking around and there was a small hill that we went down, but when I got to the bottom it was hard to stop and I was barely able to stop before I went off the edge. That part experience helped my fear of heights for the most parts. There have also been many people that have helped me out so much along the way, but the people that have done the most has been my church family. My church has allowed me to do many things, for example, like the Kentucky trip, a trip to cedar point, a church sports camp, and other things like cloths and food. The stuff my fellowship has done for me has gotten me involved and want to help others. Those are events and people that have
Most people will experience something horrible in their lives. As a young child, I was ignorant to the idea that bad things could happen in my life. One cold day in November, my Mom said that she was feeling a little sick and had some pain in her neck. After some tests, the doctors came up with a diagnosis, it was devastating. Even after the evidence from X-Rays and MRI scans, my family was trying to find any reason to deny the truth. My Mom, Gricelda Martinez Ozuna, the strongest and most determined person I knew was fading away and I knew my time with her was shortening every passing moment.
What is spiritual formation? That is a question many evangelical Christian’s began to wonder as it became a popular topic of discussion within many Christian churches in the past twenty years. Dallas Willard in this article takes a look at that question throughout this excerpt from a book he wrote in 1999. Throughout this piece he takes an in depth look at what spiritual formation looks like in different contexts. He begins with what it might look like for the average person walking down the street, but then transitions to what it should look like in the life of a believer in Jesus. Willard is thorough in giving us what spiritual formation is and even why it is such an important part of the life of a Christian.
What happens if you fail to provide effective ministry to those that mourn at the time they need you most? Imagine if you could advance the Kingdom of God through evangelism opportunities presented at unexpected times? What if you could possibly identify things that could go wrong at a funeral and learn to avoid embarrassing mistakes and misunderstandings? How can you provide effective Pastoral Care. The Ringmaster offers a practical guide to equip Clergy in the many facets of grief ministry within the African American Church.
It was halfway through my sophomore year when my mom and two older sisters sprints down the stairs and storms out the house. Confused and worried, continuing to curl my hair. My mom walks back in towards me with a gruesome look in her eyes. With so many ideas already running through my head, I was notified that my grandmother was killed by my uncle. I cannot even describe my sense of emotion at the time. Confusion, hatred, and hopelessness all merged into one. And all I could think about was just giving up on everything. That is until my pastor said these words that I will always remember; “You're going to get through this, just have faith.” I took in those words and began to put his words into action
As I gazed around the church I was able to see love and an abundance of warmth generating from the elder parents to the young within the chapel. The service although I was unable to understand it, promoted an overwhelming feeling of acceptance and respect from those around me as we engaged in the reading of the scriptures, songs being sung and the blessings being given to all those asking. The parishioners beamed with an elation of learning the word of Christ, and did not make me feel as if I were an outcast; those seated around me apologized for their children, and guided me to receive the message from the priest. The emotional response I have for the people of the church was an elated since of hospitality and acceptance, which I thought would not be give; a preconceived idea. From the moment I arrived I was able to feel as if I belonged in the church family, the feelings of inadequacy faded. I found that being engaged within this experience has challenged me as an individual to become more open to those I am the most uncomfortable, have little knowledge, or preconceived images of, in other words judge from the inside not from the outside, take a leap and learn whole heartedly about those I know nothing about. The challenges I faced where to put aside whatever misconceptions and prejudices I have from my personal beliefs, values and experiences and be
Learning happens in many forms. Teachers lecture and pastors preach. However, the lessons that impact me the most are not the ones that are told. They are the lessons taught through experience. Last summer I had the opportunity to travel with my youth group to South Dakota for a week-long mission trip.
t a really tough time in my life, I set out to search for a connection with God. I visited many churches and denominations. I wasn’t sure what I was searching for and if I’d recognize it when I found it. While looking for a Bible, I called and subsequently visited the bookstore of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. While in the bookstore I felt welcomed and cared for. That visit prompted me to attend the upcoming worship service. Upon arrival, I felt a connection to the environment and people. Behind the pulpit there is a large multi-colored mural with scenes from various functions of life. The artist depicted the people with multi-ethnic physical features. This certainly was not a Michael Angelo rendition. I felt a sense of belonging. The pastor used Psalm 51 for his text. Although the topic of sin was a part of his sermon, the message that I heard was one of mercy, love, acceptance, deliverance and restoration. My experience at Bethel felt like a great burden was lifted; I felt free. I was no longer alone; I found a community of people who were also on a spiritual journey. Although I had been in therapy for a number of years prior to my profession of faith, it was my new found relationship with God that empowered me to make some personal changes. I describe my conversion experience with three terms: liberation, empowerment and community.
Sir Peter Paul Rubens is the artist who created, “Daniel in the Lions’ Den. This oil painting was create on canvas it is said to be created from 1614 through 1616. This painting illustrates the story in the bible called “Daniel in the Lions’ Den”. After spending night in a lion’s den, he became a biblical hero. The royal ministers did not approve of Daniel praying to god.
I enjoy the organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church service, in which we follow an order to the way it is conducted. I love that we go through this whole Order of Worship every Sunday morning. The most interesting concept to me is how we are introduced to the Bible and see the books within the Bible intertwine themselves together within the year. An example is how Paul founded Churches, and speaking to Moses, how Hagar is drawing water with the Samaritan woman. It amazes me how as Methodist preaches we put these stories together; including the story about the woman with the issue of blood. I cannot help but admire how these stories can be weaved together to bring about its true meaning.