Contemplative Practices

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.

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Your responses will help us gain insight in how existing resources are utilized – and where we can improve what to offer and how we offer it. Responses will also inform our in-the-works antiracism toolkit for rural and smaller congregations.

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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.
• 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 your congregation is unable to support a practice and 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 activities and protocols accompanies each labyrinth. 

• 2 – 34-foot Chartres replica canvas labyrinths (green or black)
• 20-foot Vision Quest canvas labyrinth (lilac)

Cost: $50 per week ($25 per week for the churches of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies).

Email Executive Director Emily Meyer to reserve a labyrinth for your congregation’s Advent, New Years, 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.