Monasticism and religious orders

Richard C. Crocker

Several surveys portray the current state of biblical literacy; accelerating decline an urgent concern. The biblical evidence in Old and New Testaments that God’s word is written, and should be heeded, is outlined. The doctrine of biblical inspiration is examined; biblical criticism necessitates changes in approach. Five historical instances of significant biblical engagement are described: catechetical movement; monasticism; Cranmer’s English Reformation; Charles Simeon’s impact; Sunday Schools. The Pittsburgh Biblical Literacy Task Force is examined, by review of materials, focus group, and clergy survey. Achievements are noted, and improvements suggested. Biblical literacy should become an intentional project of the church nationally.

Wesley Brian Jamison D.Min.

Progressive churches continue to struggle with retaining youth, who often seen little merit in the church's traditions and rituals. These spiritual practices are essential to nurturing the strength and vision necessary to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. This project offers a model for integrating these practices into the regular activities of youth ministry as a way of reconnecting them to the struggle for justice. It was tested by adding the observance of the daily offices of prayer to a youth mission trip and examining the views of participants concerning prayer and its connection to justice before, during, and after the trip. Noticeable changes were measured during and after the trip, indicating that youth came to see spiritual practices are more important to the work of justice. These findings suggest that the church would do well to look to its own history of monasticism as a model for youth ministry in the post-Christian era.

Stephen Charles Niskanen

The author investigated, according to a focus group methodology, the thinking and current practices of twenty fellow men's religious formation directors regarding approaches to the sexual diversity of their communities' members. This thesis was that prevailing church culture and teaching related to homosexuality tend to inhibit open conversation about the meaning and impact of the erotic energy experienced in a sexually-diverse community. Through quotes from the participants correlated with psycho-social, spiritual, and doctrinal approaches to LGBTQ experience, he outlines initial considerations for a formation praxis hospitable to sexual diversity.

Gary O'Brien

No abstract

Bradford D Lussier

This project developed and evaluated a program designed to be used in the context of a small group of vowed men from the Community of Jesus, Orleans, Massachusetts. The program used directed spiritual exercises related to self-disclosure coupled with the writing and sharing of spiritual autobiographies to help the participants to develop closer relationships with each other. The project explored biblical literature pertaining to relationships among the Trinity as well as New Testament literature concerning relationships among humans. It also explored literature pertaining to Western cultural expectations of men as they affect men's relationships and literature relevant to self-disclosure among men. Results showed that the program helped the participants to develop closer relationships with each other.