Contemplative Practices

Church of the Servant (COS) offers a variety of opportunities to live out one’s faith and learn together. For example, we practice corporate worship through Sunday liturgies, grow relationships in “households” or small groups, and serve side by side in various ways. Below are ways COS offers support for members to strengthen their connection to God through contemplative practices. A small committee of members and staff support this ministry. 

What is contemplation?

“In short, contemplation might be described as entering a deeper silence and letting go of our habitual thoughts, sensations, and feelings in order to connect to a truth greater than ourselves.” – Richard Rohr

Read more here from Father Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation about the definition and practice of Christian contemplation. 

Let’s practice together.

Sunday morning Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian contemplative practice of reading a portion of scripture slowly four times as a means for listening for God in the text. The Center for Action and Contemplation gives a simple definition of Lectio Divina: “With the first reading, listen with your heart’s ear for a phrase or word that stands out for you. During the second reading, reflect on what touches you, perhaps speaking that response aloud or writing in a journal. After reading the passage a third time, respond with a prayer or expression of what you have experienced and what it calls you to. Finally, rest in silence after a fourth reading.” 

You can do this practice on your own with texts from the COS weekly liturgy or join a small group to do it together on Sunday mornings in the youth room (at the end of the hall past the bathrooms and children’s ministry rooms) from 9am-9:45am. No need to sign up or come every week, just show up.

Fall small group on Monday nights:

Pay Attention!
Navigating uneasy times and demanding media

These are uneasy times. A faltering economy, war, and political turmoil steal our peace. Social divisions harm community. Social media, bad news, and AI grab our attention.

How should a Christian navigate these times? This workshop explores the recovery of a neglected biblical practice: guarding your heart. Through readings, discussion, small-group conversation, and group practice, we explore attention, presence, and the heart — and what it means to live with intention.

Press “return” or “enter” on your keyboard to submit your registration.

Looking for another way to grow spiritually? 

Spiritual Direction

Another way to foster one’s connection to God is through meeting monthly with a spiritual director. Spiritual direction is typically a one-hour meeting between two people (a certified spiritual director and a directee) in order to explore ways that God is alive, at work, and inviting us into a deeper relationship. 

Priest and spiritual director, Sue Pickering, describes Spiritual Direction this way: “As a fellow pilgrim, the spiritual director accompanies the directee on this journey of faith. The real ‘director’ is God the Holy Spirit, who initiates and inspires the directee’s deepening relationship with the Trinity, with his or her own self, with other people, and the realities of life in the global village of the twenty-first-century.” – Spiritual DIrection: A Practical Guide

Learn more here about why a person might seek spiritual direction from an organization called Pastors, Priests, and Guides. 

Tools to find a spiritual director.

It is typically best practice to meet with a director outside of your church and personal network in order for greater freedom to share about one’s inner world. You can find a spiritual director through these resources in order to find the right match. 

The Dominican Center: This is a local organization who could match you with a spiritual director you could meet in person in the Grand Rapids area.

These are organizations that could help you find a spiritual director that you would likely meet virtually:

• Anam Cara

• Spiritual Directors International

Online Resources for Prayer

• Create space for God each Tuesday from 8:39am-9am on Zoom for 30 minutes. Join others through a trusted organization called Coracle.

• Practice Centering Prayer through the Dominican Center each Tuesday from 12pm-12:30 for free.

• Try one of these 20-minute meditations as a tool for prayer from a contemplative organization called Closer Than Breath.

Have questions about contemplative practices? 

We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Annette Ediger, Minister of Faith Formation, at annette.ediger@cosgr.org and she will connect you with the committee.