MICAH creates, supports, and develops programs and environments for the practice and study of spiritual formation
and leadership,
healing and the arts.
As a contemplative Christian undertaking, MICAH provides a sacred space within which we seek to create a life with God.
This is a series of 5 talks on spiritual leadership given by
Daniel Wolpert at the
5-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation in IL
the week of May 2, 2011. The talks focus on how the practice
of prayer develops spiritual leadership in a faith
community. The work of spiritual leadership addresses
the question: how is it that we can allow God, and not our
own individual egos, to do the work of the church? Each session is
about an hour. Some
of the talks begin with a time of silence, which you can join!
This is a recording of four talks given at the Spirit Journey Retreat in Texas in the Fall. The title of the retreat was "Embracing the Mystery of Prayer." The titles of the talks are: The Mystery of Self, The Mystery of the Other, The Mystery of Community, The Mystery of God.
In our current age, Discipleship – following, or becoming a follower of Jesus – is often framed in terms of what we should do to become a ‘good’ Christian. What are the rules to follow, what does Jesus prescribe. It’s almost like taking medication.
But in Jesus’ time, and throughout most of Christian history, discipleship was not seen as a set of proper behaviors, but rather as a transformative way of life, or way of being. The disciple desires to become like the teacher and as such they must change, fundamentally, from the inside out. This way of life has been called the spiritual life and it is a life of contemplation and healing. It is through these practices that we become disciples; as opposed to just trying to act like disciples. [...]
These are two keynote presentations we created for the Northwestern Minnesota Synod Fall 2011 LYO event at the Alerus Center. The theme of the event was "Be".
How does our approach to food effect obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other nutrional dietary risk factors? What should health care providers be doing to help patients with their health and nutrition? We'll also look at "real food" and diet its importance to a healthy life and disease prevention.
How do we understand if a treatment is effective? How does complimentary alternative medicine fit in with current western medical pratices? We are on the leading edge of many exciting changes in our understanding of human health, healing, and function.
This comment came to me from a friend who had just learned that her husband, barely 50, has cancer. She has a lot of experience with this illness, being the oldest of four children whose spouses all have cancer.
Her story isn’t unusual anymore. Not a week goes by when I don’t learn of another relatively young person who has this potentially fatal illness. Every week at church the list of these walking wounded grows longer, and our prayers of healing go out into the world.
At the Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing we hope to reflect upon issues of the day from the perspective of the practice of prayer and the contemplative experience. Thus, we are presenting this first of a three part series on issues of science, faith, and our metaphysical view of the universe, as seen from the perspective of the Christian spiritual life. We would welcome comments, replies, and further reflections from any readers. Please feel free to share this with others. Please do not use it for commercial gain, and please do give proper credit where credit is due.
It seems that not a day passes when I do not read, or hear, something about the ‘clash’ of science and religion, usually the Christian religion. These two great pillars of our society, having once been partners in supporting our understanding of our universe, and ourselves, now seem to be weapons in yet another war between people who cannot and will not seek to understand each other.
Worldwide nearly a billion people live in a constant state of economic destitution with several billion more living in conditions of immense suffering and debilitating poverty. Economic problems are everywhere and often they seem to be getting worse rather than better.
In response to such economic difficulties and destitution, certain voices in the Church have tried to wage a campaign against poverty. Under the cry of God’s justice, the “war on poverty” has been preached from pulpits, written about in books and magazines, and has been the focus of entire conferences and gatherings. Yet much of this talk has either fallen on deaf ears or hasn’t made any significant change in our economic life together.
The question I want to address here is whether or not the standard American Christian approach to the issue of poverty is fundamentally misguided. Are we tackling this issue in a way consistent with God’s justice, or have we simply missed the point altogether?
Our friend Teresa Blythe (www.teresablythe.net), spiritual director, author, teacher, retreat leader, has written a great article on corporate discernment for churches
"Discernment is easy to recommend and difficult to do. Experience and understanding of God waries widely among individuals and congregations, making communal discerment a challenge, but one that is well worth the energy."
What is Enough?
A Year of Paying Attention to Shopping
by Susan Woodbridge
Susan Woodbridge, the massage therapist at our Integrative Medical Center, told us about her decision to spend a year buying only what she needs. We are very excited about this adventure and wanted to share it with you. So, Susan has agreed to write a monthly note chronicling her experience. What does she notice? What is it like to become free from compulsions to buy? What is the source of happiness and contentment?
In our current age, Discipleship – following, or becoming a follower of Jesus – is often framed in terms of what we should do to become a ‘good’ Christian. What are the rules to follow, what does Jesus prescribe. It’s almost like taking medication.