How do we change? How do we connect the chasm between belief and behavior? These are fundamental questions of our time. We believe it requires creating an intentional plan of forming new habits, practices, and spaces where transformation occurs. We call this a “rhythm of life.”

In the 500’s AD, St. Benedict instituted what was referred to as a Rule of Life . Pete Scazzero in his book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality defines it this way, “A Rule of Life, very simply, is an intentional, conscious plan to keep God at the center of everything we do. It provides guidelines to help us continually remember God as the Source of our lives.” That being said, we felt it to be much more practical to recapture this same idea but by calling it a Rhythm of Life. Many churches have abstract values that they hope might define them, but we wanted tangible practices and rhythms that orient us around God and his mission. Much like a trellis (regula in Latin is where “rule” comes from) used for a vine, these rhythms are meant to provided guardrails in order that we might bear fruit. The 5 practices move us from the inward spaces of the heart, into the local church, and out into the world, all the while providing opportunity for maturity and growth in each. They are:

Praying - Being with God by way of the Spirit (Praise, Pause, Petition).

Resting - Enjoying the goodness of God and his creation by stopping and slowing.

Learning - Reading the Scriptures and immersing ourselves in the teachings of Jesus; becoming like him.

Gathering - Participating in the communal life of the local church as well as communal life in the city.

Contributing - Using time, talent, and treasure to forward God’s mission of renewal and justice locally and globally.

We believe the future church will require that we look much more like an ancient monastic order rather than merely a group of passive participants.

You can watch our Rhythm of Life teaching series by going to our YouTube channel.

Books on Rhythms/Practices: