Session #1, "Course Introduction" [Posted by Dr. Nissley]

Welcome to "blogdom"! This may be a new universe for some of you to explore. If you have questions, suggestions, or concerns about this blog course, feel free to e-mail at my seminary account. Remember a blog is "public communication", which means anyone in the Internet universe can read your comments (This includes people in your church, friends, families, and others). This is a way doing public theology, in other words we are sharing our reflections, questions, fears, doubts, and faith with anyone who may be looking in. You can invite your mentor, friends, and pastor to read the blog. This may stimulate some interesting mentoring sessions.

Class Introductions: Your initial post can be an introduction to the class of your goals for the course, your ministry context, and vision for spiritual direction in your life and ministry.

K-Group Leadership: Consider a small group that you may be leading or will launch as part of this course which can serve as the laboratory for applying course content. You may begin brainstorming this activity with me, e-mail ideas or call on my cell phone, to plan a new meaningful small group ministry with a twist of spiritual direction.

Utilizing the Calhoun text, I am proposing that we flow through the 7 parts of this handbook on spiritual disciplines during the next 7 weeks. Take your time, and focus on one topic in each part that stirs your heart. The topic this week is "Worship".

Post your reflections from Part One on "Worship" by the next class session on January 21 before 8 pm. In other words the due date for each class session is one week after the class session. This allows you time to discuss and comment on each others posts throughout the week. You can check the blog each day for new posts. For example, I will post my reflection on worship, the class may then comment on my post and one anothers' comments. You see the discussion threads become intertwined and fun to say the least. There are 7 students in this class, which means we will have lots of energy, discussion, and questions that can be processed online via the blog and on our class retreat. I will post reflections and some discussion questions to launch the discussion.

Retreat: One student, Bill, is from southcentral PA, the remainder of the class is from NW Ohio. The seminary will provide transportation to the Retreat Center in either WV or western PA, depending upon availability at one of potential retreat centers. The Seminary will provide transportation via a UF van for the NW Ohio students. We can travel to the retreat center on Friday afternoon on February 29th and then return after Sunday lunch on March 2. Please contact me with questions about the Spiritual Direction Retreat. Your costs will be a 1/7 share of the van fuel, food and lodging at the retreat center.

Calhoun, Part One, "Worship"
1) Define worship from Scripture, your experience, your church tradition.

2) Reflect upon Sabbath, what is God's intention with this Creation Ordinance (see Genesis 2:1-2), note this law is not about sin. How would you envision leading your congregation in practicing Sabbath.

3) Write a psalm describing your heart of worship.