Jesus stole away to sit with God in prayer. Martin Luther relied on four hours of prayer a day. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on the advice of Howard Thurman, spent two straight weeks in contemplation.
Resting in the Divine is essential for maintaining a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
The Ministry Lab offers:
- Daily Breath, a daily moment of renewal from national leaders in contemplative practices
- Midweek Retreat, a weekly time to rest in God’s presence. Join here.
- Online and in-person Spiritual Practices listings. We select out Seasonal Devotions appropriate for particular times of the year.
- Inspiration for new and seasoned practitioners in our lib guides.
We are humbled to be featured in Living Lutheran’s January, 2022 article and study guide, Contemplating the New Year; Lutherans Explore Meditation, Mindfulness, and Contemplative Practices; article by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni; study guide by Robert C. Blezard.
Individual, Small Group, & Congregational Practices
The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion offers 10 Self-Compassion Practices for the Crisis in Ukraine.
We’ve curated resources for:
- Introductions – for those just getting started with a personal practice, or those seeking to renew or jump-start after a time away
- Individual Inspiration
- Family, Small Group, & Congregation
Local/Regional Opportunities
If you’re ready to join an in-person or online group, we suggest:
- Our listing of regional and international Spiritual Practices (retreats, worship, prayer, music)
- An evolving list of recurring Online & In-Person Group Opportunities
- Local Contemplative Activism
- Hermitages, Pilgrimages, & Retreat Centers
Leader Development, Renewal, & Trainings
- Our Leader Renewal and Sabbath Rest guides may be helpful in this busy season.
- The Shalem Institute offers free online resources and courses to support mental and spiritual well-being for congregational leaders, including a Compassion Guided Meditation and Three Essentials for Leadership in the Time of Coronavirus.
- The Upper Room offers online e-courses for small groups, meditation and prayer groups, inspiring videos and more.
- Hermitages, Pilgrimage, & Retreat Centers
Labyrinths
The Ministry Lab’s labyrinths are available for rent. They can be reserved for a few days, a couple weeks, or a month or two – and you can reserve yours up to one year in advance. A notebook of intentions, learning, and protocols accompanies each labyrinth.
- 2 – 34-foot Chartres replica canvas labyrinths (green or black)
- 1 -20-foot Vision Quest canvas labyrinth (lilac) (pictured above)
Cost: $50 per week / $25 per week for the churches of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, PC(USA)
Email Executive Director Emily Meyer to reserve a labyrinth for your congregation’s retreats, Advent, New Year’s, Lenten, or other observances.
Learn about labyrinths at The Labyrinth Society and in our Labyrinths guide.
The Ministry Lab labyrinths are available for indoor use only. Creating and sharing an outdoor labyrinth is a wonderful bonding experience for the whole congregation and community. For ideas, see the Labyrinthian Great Idea. A labyrinth lit with luminaria is a beautiful and powerful way to observe autumnal or winter outdoor peace.
Tibetan Singing Bowl
The Ministry Lab’s Tibetan Singing Bowl is available for rent. It can be reserved for a few days, a couple weeks, or a month or two – and you can reserve it up to one year in advance. Access to Tibetan Bowl traditions, usages, intentions, and practices is included.
Cost: $10 per week
Email Executive Director Emily Meyer to reserve the singing bowl for your congregation’s retreats, seasonal worship services, or other observances.
Learn about Tibetan Singing Bowls at Shanti Bowl and from our friends Thupten Dadak and Nancy Dadak at Heart of Tibet & Sky Door.
Great Idea
Generated by The Ministry Lab’s partners, congregational leaders and director. If you’ve got a Great Idea to share, let us know!
LAMENT & ADOLESCENT SPIRITUALITY
Lament can be a powerful spiritual practice for all ages, particularly teens. Because it contradicts the cultural norms of endless positivity, it can be tricky to introduce and implement.
Read more here.
Learn More
Have something you’d like to discuss? Need to check out resources? Share questions, interests and ideas with The Ministry Lab’s Executive Director, Rev. Emily Meyer or search our site.