40 | John Mark Comer on Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
Jan 16, 2024
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John Mark Comer, founding pastor of Bridgetown Church, discusses the limitations of a Sunday-centric model of discipleship, the power of a rule of life, and the importance of contemplative prayer, confession, and intentional experiences of suffering in spiritual formation.
Prioritizing spiritual development and well-being is essential for pastors amidst the busyness of ministry and requires intentional practices like contemplative prayer, deep relationships, and embracing suffering.
The Practicing the Way initiative aims to fill the gap in providing a curriculum for Christ-likeness in the church by offering practical tools, teachings, and experiences to support spiritual formation and discipleship.
Creating personal rhythms, like Sabbath, morning contemplative prayer, and regular confession, and cultivating a hidden spiritual life are vital for pastors to anchor themselves in their relationship with Jesus and nurture spiritual health and resilience.
Deep dives
The Importance of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
One of the main highlights of the podcast episode was the discussion on the significance of spiritual formation and discipleship in the lives of pastors and church leaders. The guest emphasized the need for pastors to prioritize their own spiritual development and well-being, even amidst the busyness of ministry. It was noted that a working theory of change is crucial in understanding how individuals can grow into the likeness of Christ over time. The importance of practices like contemplative prayer, deep relationships, and embracing suffering were also highlighted as key elements in the process of spiritual formation. The episode underscored the need for a holistic, community-based approach to discipleship that integrates teachings, practices, and reflection in a communal setting. Overall, the discussion emphasized the transformative power of intentional spiritual development and urged pastors to create spaces and environments in their churches where discipleship can flourish.
The Practicing the Way Initiative
Another significant topic discussed in the podcast was the Practicing the Way initiative led by the guest. The initiative aims to provide resources and courses that support individuals and churches in their journey of spiritual formation and discipleship. The guest highlighted the importance of having a curriculum for Christ-likeness in the church and expressed the desire to fill that gap by offering practical tools and teachings. The initiative has developed a working theory of change, which emphasizes the integration of spiritual practices, community, and intentional reflection. It was mentioned that the initiative offers a book, an eight-week primer course on spiritual formation, as well as nine practices, which are four-week experiences designed to help communities embrace and integrate classical spiritual disciplines into their lives. The guest emphasized that Practicing the Way is dedicated to serving the church and assisting in the development of a culture of discipleship.
Personal Rhythms and Rule of Life
The podcast delved into the personal rhythms and rule of life that can help pastors and leaders anchor themselves in their relationship with Jesus. The guest shared insights from his own experience and emphasized the importance of slowing down and creating space for resting in God's presence. Practices like Sabbath, morning contemplative prayer, and regular confession were mentioned as core pillars in the guest's rule of life. The discipline of secrecy was also highlighted, encouraging pastors to cultivate a hidden spiritual life that is not driven by the need for recognition or validation. The guest acknowledged that personal rhythms may vary depending on individual circumstances, but underscored the significance of finding practices and disciplines that nurture spiritual health and resilience in the midst of pastoral challenges and responsibilities.
Slowing down and being patient in ministry
One of the main insights from the podcast is the importance of slowing down and being patient in ministry. The speaker shares their experience of taking a sabbatical and reflecting on their regrets. They emphasize the need to break the cycle of dysfunctional patterns and to focus on a slower pace, especially in the early stages of ministry. The speaker suggests that the journey of pastoring is longer than expected, likening it to a marathon, where discipline and endurance are crucial. They express the importance of going slow and avoiding the temptation to chase after quick growth and success.
Shifting focus from Sunday and metrics of success
Another key point highlighted in the podcast is the need to shift the focus from Sunday and the typical metrics of success in the church. The speaker mentions the allure of the first half of life in ministry, where the initial excitement and growth can be intoxicating. However, they point out that this feeling eventually fades, and the reality of leading an organization sets in. The speaker urges pastors to be cautious of basing their success on the size of their churches or the numbers of attendees. Instead, they advocate for a focus on deep relationships, transformation, and the lasting impact of ministry. They emphasize the importance of forming deep connections, helping people experience healing and freedom, and constantly being engaged in the meaningful work of spiritual formation.
John Mark Comer (teacher, author, founding pastor of Bridgetown Church) sits down with Rich Villodas to discuss what he’s learned as he stepped back from pastoring, why he’s underwhelmed by a Sunday-centric model of discipleship and the formative power that a rule of life has played in his personal life and leadership.
