Prayer and Spirituality
This part of the course looks at prayer and spirituality and the relationship between the two.
3. What is spirituality?
There are many definitions of the term ‘spirituality' - Richard P McBrien gives the following definition:
‘Spirituality is to do with our experience of God, and with the transformation of our consciousness and our lives as the outcome of that experience.’
from Catholicism, 1994
It can be deeply personal and/or collective. As such it can be experienced in many ways.
Examples of collective spirituality can be seen in the new monasticism movement where intentional communities come together, either physically, or as a dispersed community in order to share in prayer, learning, work, and worship.
Some of these are known as the Celtic communities:
- Iona Community (link opens in a new window)
- Northumbria Community (link opens in a new window)
In our own churches by praying together we are involved in acts of collective spirituality.
Elders have a significant role as a spiritual resource within the church and a role in fostering spiritual growth and spirituality within their community.