I follow discipleship pt 2

Jon Dybdahl’s contemplative propensities are strongly presented in his 2008 book, Hunger:
Satisfying the Longing of Your Soul. In Hunger, Dybdahl favorably instructs on contemplative
practices such as lectio divina, visualization (p. 64), the Jesus Prayer, and breath prayers
(p. 52). Dybdahl explains in his book that in his “not-so-secret quest for God,” he turned to Quaker
Thomas Kelly’s book A Testament of Devotion. It is Kelly, a panentheist, who said that within every
human being is a “Divine Center,” a “secret sanctuary” (from A Testament of Devotion). This
“secret sanctuary” Kelly is speaking of is what he calls “abiding Light behind all changing [life]
forms.” He says: “In that Current we must bathe. In that abiding yet energizing Center we are all
made one” (p. 38).” Dybdahl says in Hunger that Henri Nouwen “intensified” his ”craving” for “God’s
presence.” (p.12) But the presence that Nouwen is speaking of is the same as that of mystics, and it
is this mysticism that led Nouwen to reject Jesus Christ as the only path to God at the end of his life
(Sabbatical Journey). Dybdahl’s book is brimming with references to contemplative mystics: David
Benner, Morton Kelsey, Adele Alberg Calhoun, Tilden Edwards, Richard Foster, Ken Boa, and
Brother Lawrence. (also see this critique on Hunger)
www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com
Professor at Andrews Theological Seminary & main
editor of Andrews University’s new Study Bible.

Dybdahl’s book Hunger also promotes the spiritual discipline of Lectio Divina
“Multitudes of potential methods for meditation exist, but I want to outline two
major possibilities to give an example of what you can do. You can modify both
of them to fit your particular need and preference.
The first is a variation of an ancient Christian method called lectio divina, or
sacred/divine reading. One reason I use it is that either an individual or a group
can employ it. Often I find people are more willing to try meditation personally
if they have had a good experience in a group setting. In class I have often done
this type as a means of introducing meditation and of helping people see the
discipline's value.” ~ Hunger pg. 62
“The second method of meditation uses visualization... The same guidlines that
apply to lectio divina apply to visualization. Visualization should be connected
to Scripture or nature... This method is particualarly helpful in connection
with the biblical stories. I have found time and time again in my own
experience that study and spiritual life are enriched, as I have in imagination
entered the scriptural account and relived the event. ~ Hunger pg. 64-65

Credits
Curriculum Development: The iFollow Discipleship Series Pastor’s Edition curriculum development was lead by the Center for Creative Ministry. General Editor: Monte
Sahlin; AssistantEditor: Debbonnaire Kovacs;DirectionalAdvisory: Brad Forbes, Carole Kilcher, Ceri Myers, Cesar Gonzalez, Clayton Kinney, Curtis Rittenour, Dave Osborne,
Dave VanDenburgh, Gerry Chudleigh, Jane Thayer, Jerry Thomas, John Appel, Jose Rojas, Kim Johnson, Nicole Chao, Paul Richardson, Rich DuBose, Shasta Nelson, William
Sutton;PastoralAdvisory: Claudio Consuegra, Collette Pekar, Dave Hutman, Don Driver, Fredrick Russell, Jerry Nelson, Jesse Wilson, Leslie Bumgardner, Loren Fenton, Re-
becca Brillhart; Unit Authors:Alberto Valenzuela, Althea Pineda, Corienne Hay, Debbonnaire Kovacs, Ed Dickerson, Gianluca Bruno, Gil Bahnsen, Greg Nelson, Jack Calkins,
James Whibberding, Karen Collum, Monte Sahlin, Norma Sahlin, Pam Splawinski, Patty Ntihuka, Reinder Bruinsma, Ryan Bell; Additional contribution by Maria Ovando-
Gibson; Additionalediting: Dave Gemmell, Meredith Carter;GraphicDesign: Mind Over Media; Layout: Paul D. Young; WebDevelopment:Narrow Gate Media.
License
iFollow Discipleship Pastor’s Edition is produced by the NAD Church Resource Center for use by Seventh-day Adventist Congregations in Bermuda, Candada, and the
United States. Churches may freely copy the lessons and PowerPoints for use within their congregations. Any other usage is prohibited without prior written consent from
the NAD Church Resource Center. iFollow Discipleship, Copyright 2010, the North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. NAD Church Resource Center,
12501 Old Columbia pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, 301-680-6339.
www.ifollowdiscipleship.org

Debbonnaire Kovacs a Seventh-day Adventist author and
columnist for Adventist Today Magazine has authored a
book entitled “Devotional Retreats: Biblical Meditation to
Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit”. Kovac book
combines Zen Buddhism, Yoga, transcendental meditation,
and Christian meditation and mystical encounters and talks
with “Jesus”. In chapter one of Devotional Retreats, the
author tells how she became interested in various
meditation disciplines, such as Zen Buddhism, Yoga, and
Transcendental Meditation. Seeing what she believed to be
the beneﬁts of the mysticism of these oriental religions, she
relates how it occurred to her that perhaps there was a way
to "combine" these practices "with Christian meditation." She
experimented with the idea and found a way to blend the
mysticism of these oriental religious practices into her
devotional life. After using the process that both pagan and
Roman Catholic mystics employ to go into vision, she would
in the channel her imagination see "Jesus" and talk with
him.
debbonnaire.com

I must have been around 24 when I had what I've come to call the Castle Vision. I know because I'd had my
first baby, and we had recently gone to a "family picnic" of all the families my midwives had served. There was a
creek there, and that creek was in my mind this morning in my own quiet living room as I was meditating.
When I pray, I try to really "see" Jesus there with me, listening to me, talking to me, loving me. Usually it just
feels like "me imagining Jesus" even though of course I know He's there whether I "feel" Him or not. Then,
every once in awhile, He makes His presence known in a dramatic way.
This particular day, in my mind, Jesus and I were together by a creek like the one at the farm. I was praying
about my writing. I knew it was what He wanted me to do. It was certainly what I had always longed to do. I
had already written reams for myself. But for public consumption? For others to - gulp - read? I knew I could
never live up to my own expectations and hopes. Surely it was better not to try than to try and fail . . .
Unexpectedly, I found myself kneeling by the creekbank and beginning to build a sand castle. I have always
loved castles, sand, stone, or any other variety. I especially admire those awesome, complicated ones that win
sand castle contests - you know the ones I mean. But I can't build them. Sure enough, the one that formed
under my inexpert hands looked more like an ungainly pile of mud. I looked sideways. Jesus was nearly through
with a castle that would take your breath away. It had square towers, round towers, little turrets, crenellations,
curtain walls, Gothic windows . . . Trimmed with jewels, it sparkled in the sunshine.
"If I could build a castle like that, I would!" I exclaimed enviously.
"I didn't ask you to build a castle like that," Jesus told me. "I only need you to build foundations for Me. I'll build
the castles on them."
I was in my living room again, blinking. I don't mean I had a vision in the biblical sense of the word. I was
never unconscious of my surroundings, or anything like that. But I knew it was real, just the same. My Lord had
just spoken unmistakeably to me. And I knew exactly what He meant to say.
http://www.debbonnaire.com/chapel.html

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ANN Feature: Church, Congregations
Increase Focus on "Spiritual Formation"
February 3, 2004 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States .... [Wendi
Rogers/ANN]
Spiritual formation is a topic
being raised by many pastors and
church leaders in a growing number
of Christian denominations. It's no
longer enough to just know doctrine
and facts--in today's hectic society
people are searching for something
deeper and more meaningful,
something that makes sense in
their whirlwind lives.
For the Seventh-day Adventist
Church, a "wake-up call" was
sounded after a 2002 survey
showed that though doctrinal
understanding was high, there were
several "areas of concern,"
including low involvement in daily
prayer and Bible study, active
Christian witness to the community,
and participation in community
service (see ANN October 9, 2002).
These concerns can be linked to
how the church rates in the area of
spiritual formation, which has been
defined by one Adventist Church
pastor as "the process of becoming
a mature Christian disciple of God."
Another person describes it as
"whatever you do to specifically
nourish your relationship with God."
Today this subject is receiving serious emphasis in Adventist institutions, as
well as in local congregations. Though the church doesn't have an accredited
educational program dealing with spiritual formation at any of its theological
schools, it's seeing this subject become more common in today's modern,
seeking world.
Spiritual formation is not a new idea or concept, and "a lot of Protestants are
in the same boat--we are rediscovering it," says Dr. Jon Dybdahl, president
of Walla Walla College, an Adventist institution in Washington State. And, he
adds, the Adventist Church has some work to do.
"Traditionally the Adventist Church has emphasized intellectual truth and
accepting certain facts and ideas about God," Dybdahl says. "At least in
Jane Thayer.
Roger Dudley.
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2005 GC Session News

many places it has not talked so much about the importance of directly
experiencing God. The difference is between knowing about God and
knowing God. Sometimes what we teach people is knowing about God ...
That's part of the nature of things. It's much easier to communicate a fact
than it is to wield people to experience."
Pastor Martin Feldbush, associate director for Adventist Chaplaincy
Ministries whose work brings him in contact with leaders of several other
denominations, says that the Adventist Church is not alone in its quest for
deeper spiritual formation among members. "A lot of churches out there are
struggling with the same issues as we are. We're not in isolation as though
there's something wrong with us. I think churches particularly that are
conservative in their orientation and take their mission very seriously, and I
believe we should do all of that, may have a tendency to stress the 'doing' as
opposed to the 'being' and the formation."
But why is there a need for spiritual formation? If people are part of a
religious organization, shouldn't they already be at a certain level of spiritual
formation?
John Jenson, pastor of the 150-member South Bay Adventist Church in
Torrance, California, says, "There's a need for spiritual formation with the
[Adventist] Church because we have been so doctrinally oriented that people
might be able to quote some or all of the 27 fundamental beliefs [of the
church], and may have neglected having daily devotions that day or week or
month." He explains that there's an overload of knowledge and information,
but how to translate that into meaningful instruction and "marching orders"
for daily living is key.
Jenson says that without spiritual formation, a person would be "spiritually
uncivilized." It "is the process by which they can go from being a spiritual
infant to spiritual maturity ... developing the potential that God's put within
you."
Dybdahl adds that people need to "Begin to recognize that knowledge
without life experience can be dead. [They need to] recognize how crucial it
is to people's lives [and] how much the younger generation values
experience."
Dr. Jane Thayer, assistant professor of Religious Education and coordinator
of the Religious Education Program at Andrews University, adds, "We have a
big blank when it comes to taking care of people once they have accepted
the Lord ... I think what people need to know is 'how do you live the life.'
Spiritual formation or discipleship needs to show how you live like Christ."
Nikolaus Satelmajer, from the church's Ministerial Association responsible for
continuing education for Adventist clergy, believes there's now a shift from
emphasis on doctrine to more emphasis on spiritual formation within the
Adventist Church. He also says that, "We're finding a serious lack of
knowledge of our people [church founders], our doctrines ... I think we have
de-emphasized them." Satelmajer says this is true particularly with the
younger generation, and the cause of any spiritual formation growth stunt is
not because of a focus on doctrine.
Though it's not a concept that's easy to grasp for an organization as a whole,
spiritual formation is something each individual member can work on,
Feldbush says. "When you think about it as an individual, we're so used to
gearing our spiritual experience on the 'wow' moments--the ones [in which]
we can see the great things happening, whether it's personally or
organizationally. It's easy to see God's movement in those times. Real
spiritual formation is a process of growing more and more in tune to
discernment of God's voice as well as more and more tuned to discernment
of God's moving in my life, in the ordinary of life, as well as even in the
difficult times of life. That's where real spiritual formation, or at least the value
Page 2 of 3ANN Feature: Church, Congregations Increase Focus on "Spiritual Formation"

Pioneer Memorial Church at
Andrews University, Pastor
Dwight Nelson’s brother
(Greg Nelson).

Faith House Manhattan
Second Wind

“Men in positions of responsibility are in
danger of changing leaders. This I know,
for it has been plainly revealed to me.”
SpTB02 48.2

Please alert those you know to the dangerous
contents in the iFollow Discipleship resources
and continue to earnestly pray for our church.

I follow discipleship pt 2

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