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Enjoying Balance & Fruitfulness

through a Rule of LifeBoard of Ministry Leaders Training

November 30, 2009

What’s the Problem?• After 90+ Highrock Guides appointments, we identified

most commonly needed area for spiritual attention: life

balance.

• Busyness and exhaustion prevent many Highrockers

from really flourishing spiritually.

– “The world aches for the generosity of well rested people.”

Wayne Muller, Sabbath

• Many people are doing well in certain areas of their

lives, but other areas are commonly neglected.

• Often life transitions are particularly hard on spirituality.

• Very few have concrete / intentional plan for spiritual

growth.

• The spiritual factors which are foundational to the

problem of unbalanced life are actually pride and fear.

Jesus Definition of Ministry Success

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man

abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;

apart from me you can do nothing...This is to my

Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing

yourselves to be my disciples…You did not choose

me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and

bear fruit--fruit that will last.” (John 15)

Questions for Discussion:

• What is the fruit that Jesus speaks of in this passage?

• When Jesus says we should abide in him, what do you think he

means? What are some ways we can do this?

How Does Fruit Grow?• Certain kinds of plants need support in

order to grow properly.

• Tomatoes need stakes, and beans must

attach themselves to suspended strings.

• Creeping vines like clematis and wisteria

will grow on any structure they can find.

• Rambling roses take kindly to garden walls,

archways, and trellises.

Without support, these plants would

collapse into a heap on the ground.

We would not be able to enjoy

their beauty and sustenance.

Soul Feast: an Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie J. Thompson, 145.

Growing Spiritual Fruit• When it comes to spiritual growth, human beings

are much like these plants.

• We need structure and support. Otherwise our

spirituality grows only in a confused and disorderly

way.

• The fruit of the Spirit gets tangled and is susceptible

to corruption, and the beauty of our lives is

diminished.

• We need structure in order to have enough air,

space, and light to flourish. Structure gives us the

freedom to grow as we are meant to.

• A Rule of Life can provide that structure.

Soul Feast: an Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie J. Thompson, 145.

What is a Rule of Life?

“Please don’t be intimidated

by the word rule. The word

comes from the Greek for

‘trellis.’ A trellis is a tool that

enables a grapevine to get off

the ground and grow upward,

becoming more fruitful and

productive. In the same way, a

Rule of Life is a trellis, [a self-

imposed spiritual structure]

that helps us abide in Christ

and become more fruitful

spiritually.”Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero, 196.

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Principles for Spiritual Leadership

• Disciplined Fruitfulness

– Successful leaders are fruitful.

– Fruit needs both discipline and structure to grow.

– A Rule of Life provides such spiritual structure.

– All leaders should have some form of a Rule of Life.

• Balance

– Many leaders lose focus in some area of their life.

– Not helpful to have a “fruitful ministry” but dysfunctional

family, unfaithful finances, lagging physical health, etc.

– God wants us to be fruitful in all areas. He does not want

us to be lopsided.

History of the “Rule of Life”• Benedict (480-587) wrote the most

famous monastic Rule.“In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set

down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The

good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to

a little strictness in order to amend faults and to

safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by

fear and run away from the road that leads to

salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset.

But as we progress in this way of life and in faith,

we shall run on the path of God’s commandments,

our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible

delight of love.”

• Emphasized balance in several areas:

– Prayer, Work, Rest

• All of life is considered sacred

– “Laborare est orare”

Martin Luther King’s Rule• Remember always that the nonviolent movement in

Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation, not victory.

• Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.

• Pray daily to be used by God in order that all might be free.

• Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.

• Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of

courtesy.

• Refrain from violence with fist, tongue, or heart.

• Seek to perform regular service for others and the world.

• Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.

Martin Luther King, Why We Can’t Wait.

WRITING & MAINTAINING A

PERSONAL RULE OF LIFE

Weaving Together a Rule of LifePersonal Vision:

Personal Mission:

Spiritual Relational Physical Financial Missional

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Adapted From Stephen A. Macchia, D.Min., President, Leadership Transformations, Inc.

© 2006

Weaving Together a Rule of LifePersonal Vision: To live Paul’s statement and teach others to do the same: for me to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

Personal Mission: To utilize gifts of apostleship and creative communication to advance the Kingdom of God.

Spiritual Relational Physical Financial Missional

Daily -Pray daily offices

-Brush & Floss 2x/Day

-8 glasses water

-7-8 hours sleep

-Track expenses

Weekly-Observe Sabbath

-Call Parents

-Small Group

-Exercise 3-5 times/week

Monthly -Date Night

-Tithe

-Build emergency fund

-Invite someone new over for dinner

Quarterly-Take day-long prayer retreat

-Spiritual Direction

appointment

-Meet mentor

-Dental Cleaning

Annually-Fast something

for Lent

-Revise this Rule

-General check-up-Support mission

trip

Adapted From Stephen A. Macchia, D.Min., President, Leadership Transformations, Inc.

© 2006

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Suggestions for Writing Rule• Choose a form for the Rule that resonates with you.

• Take time out to write your Rule in a life-giving way.

• Make adjustments to the categories if necessary:

– Split relationship category: Marriage, Family, Friends, etc.

– Split spiritual category: Scripture, Prayer, Study, etc.

– Add other categories: Household, Leisure, Reading/Study

• Read a book or article which gives guidance on how

to approach each life category (see resources).

• Start with MODEST goals.

• Revise and refine statements along the way.

• Ask for feedback from members of your spiritual

community.

Suggestions for Maintaining Rule

• Hang it in place where you’ll see it regularly.

• Flexibility is key. Avoid all-or-nothing mentality.

• Update Rule regularly, at least annually

– Lent may be an appropriate time for this.

• Recognize that major life stage transitions will

necessitate major changes in your Rule.

• Community / Accountability

– Make sure at least one other person in your life (other than

your spouse) knows about your Rule and helps you to stay

faithful to it.

• Make this a part of your membership renewal

appointment with Highrock Spiritual Guides (e-

mail michelle@highrock.org).

Highly Suggested ResourcesContemporary Overview:

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Unleash a Revolution in Your Life in Christ by Peter Scazzero (Chapter 10)

• Soul Feast: an Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life (Chapter 9)

• Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton (Chapter 9)

• Spiritual Theology: A Systematic Study of the Christian Life by Simon Chan (Chapter 10)

• At Home in the World: a Rule of Life for the Rest of Us by Margaret Guenther

Classic:

• The Rule of Saint Benedict by St. Benedict, Edited by Timothy Fry, O.S.B.

Questions?