I like Mark’s take on spiritual formation. Disciplines and practices have most commonly been taught to me as a checklist or prescription, but I’ve benefited most from more experimental approaches. Experimentation has the same goal, but with less emphasis on “getting it right”.
What has helped form your spiritual practices?
Have you ever approached Jesus’ teachings as an experiment? If so, tell us about it!
ABOUT THE INTERVIEWEE: Mark Scandrette is the founding director of ReIMAGINE! in San Francisco, CA. He’s written the book Soul Graffiti and blogs at MarkScandrette.com.
OTHER CLIPS BY: MARK SCANDRETTE
OTHER CLIPS ABOUT: Connecting with God
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Kewl!
I love the way both in this video and the “unlearning the Bible” video, Jack and Mark are kind of sharing with us that they’ve found ways to give themselves permission to play with it–that it’s okay to get it “wrong”–Jack with the text, and Mark with spiritual disciplines. Their sharing that is giving the listener a similar permission. Love it.
I finally come to the place in my life where doubt is okay and not knowing really is fine. I like this one Craig.
Thank you for sharing, Mark! You made me think……
Excellent points! I like the idea of experimenting with expressions of faith and remaining playful, as it helps remind me that I am God’s creation so it’s okay if I don’t fully understand him. And what parent hasn’t taken joy in seeing their children play and trying to do the right thing, even when the kid(s) don’t quite have it write. It’s the trying and learning and interaction that brings joy to parents, rather than the exactness of the child’s behavior. I’ve always seen God as being similar to the ideal parent, and this video is a great reminder. Thanks!
“A spiritual discipline is not an end in itself..” Yes! Absolutely. How in the world can Christians always get it right? And why, since something has been done for years one way, must it continue or else rip the fabric of the church community? God is the same in love, unchanging and true. But he’s not literally dropping manna from heaven. He is, however, teaching me to live by faith in him, day to day, rather than on myself. And that manifests differently all the time. And I don’t carry around tracks passing them out. I don’t tell people I’m a Christian within the first ten minutes I meet them. But I am intentional, most of the time:), to show genuine love, to be non-discriminating, to give where I can’t be rewarded, to be hopeful and kind, to believe in something which is bigger than my day to day woes. That is how I shine right now.
Awesome video!!
Sounds like Young Life. Go to where the kids are.