Table of Contents

Foreword by Jane E. Vennard Introduction Part One: The Prayer Model Chapter 1 - Jane Vennard's Prayer Model Chapter 2 - The Prayer Model in Depth Chapter 3 - Hospitality Chapter 4 - Participants' Roles in the Prayer Model Chapter 5 - The Order of the Prayer Model Chapter 6 - The Modified Prayer Model Chapter 7 - Debriefing Part Two: The Spiritual Discovery Method Chapter 8 - Discernment Chapter 9 - Group Administration Chapter 10 - The Design of the Spiritual Discovery Method Chapter 11 - Essentials for the Spiritual Discovery Method Chapter 12 - Challenges Groups Encounter Part Three: The Compassionate Observer Chapter 13 - The Power of Compassion and Observation Chapter 14 - The Disciplines of the Compassionate Observer Chapter 15 - Challenges for the Compassionate Observer Part Four: The Spiritual Discovery Method - Stories Conclusion Acknowledgements Bibliography

About the Author

Catherine C. Tran is Episcopal co-pastor at Grace Church in Buena Vista, Colorado, She also has a spiritual direction practice and leads Spiritual Discovery Groups in the Denver area. Sandra Hughes Boyd is a retired interim and short-term parish ministry specialist with many years experience in a variety of congregations. A continuing occupation for her is in Adult Religious Education. Visit the Spiritual Discovery website at http://www.spiritualdiscoverymethod.com/

Reviews

Tran and Boyd have translated the spiritual direction work of Jane Vennard into a powerful model for group discernment and individual transformation. Like all spiritual direction, this model requires patience, dedication, and love, but the benefits in community are enormous. -- Amy Frykholm, associate editor, "The Christian Century" Tran and Boyd have given us an invaluable, in-depth yet practical tool for using their Spiritual Discovery Method-along with suggestions about its multiple applications in group settings. What a different world we might have if we all became compassionate observers and practiced the spiritual discovery method! -- Margaret F. Arms PhD, Spiritual Director; Instructor, Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program Spiritual Discovery is a beautifully accessible resource and clearly the fruit of much experience with group discernment. The authors' combination of practical counsel and spiritual insight is nourishing throughout. Groups using this book will not only receive an extensively tested model of discernment but also discover fresh possibilities for discernment in their own unique setting. -- Stephen V. Doughty, Author of "To Walk in Integrity" Adapted from Jane Vennard's practice of group prayer, Tran and Boyd give us the fruit of years of experience and provide careful attention to each aspect of this spiritual discernment model. Those who are discernment guides will want to have this book. -- Daniel Prechtel, Founder and Spiritual Director, Lamb & Lion Spiritual Guidance Ministries, Assisting Priest, All Souls Episcopal Parish, Berkeley The ancient practice of spiritual direction has caught the attention of many segments of the church in the last few decades, but congregations often struggle to identify how this practice can shape the ethos of their communities today. In this thought-provoking, practical book, Tran and Boyd help congregations take a significant step toward integrating spiritual direction into their personal and communal discernment processes. Any pastor or lay person would benefit greatly from exploring and implementing the Prayer Model and Spiritual Discovery Method described in this book. -- Angela H. Reed, George W. Truett Theological Seminary Tran and Boyd have shared their experience and wisdom with us in this practical guide about the lifelong process of spiritual discovery and discernment. They have beautifully woven together the artistry of discovery and the skilled craft of discernment through the hospitality of storytelling, the gift of holy listening, and the power of silence. -- Gil W. Stafford, author of "When Leadership and Spiritual Direction Meet"