Pay Attention: A Discussion on Spiritual Discernment

For those in ministry, the topic of spiritual discernment is important. A discussion group recently read an article by Ruth Haley Barton called Discernment as a Way of Life. We learned from the article as well as from the time spent sharing with each other. The group engaged in a time of thoughtful, kind discussion and ended with prayer for all in the group (especially those currently going through an important time of discernment). 

Some highlights: 

• Pay attention! Listen to the Holy Spirit, Scripture, your emotions, your dreams, and your "gut" (physical bodies). The Spirit speaks through various means in the discernment process. 
• Discernment is a process (often that involves a struggle and can be lengthy). Patience is needed. 
• Discernment can be a safety net (the Holy Spirit gives a prompting to warn against that which would harm us and protects us from what is not safe).
• There can be desolation in the process (we may be called to painful, hard places as part of the discernment process). 
• Feeling compelled (when God calls, "I can't not do it"). Though difficult, this strong sense of feeling compelled leads to joy and confidence that this is the right thing to do. 
• Involve others (engage a trusted community to help you discern). The trusted community can be friends of both genders, prayer partners, and those who are courageous and speak the truth. 

To summarize, seek God’s face, listen to his voice and those he sends in your path, be patient, and be courageous to follow. Pay attention!

The next Women’s Ministry Cluster discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18 at 1pm EST.  In February the discussion topic will be Courage. We will start promptly at 1 p.m. with introductions then watch a video on this topic. Bring an object that symbolizes or is a reminder to you of “courage” in your life. 

If you are a woman in ministry, we’d love to have you join us via online conferencing. Simply fill out this short form if you haven’t already signed up and you'll receive a link to join the next meeting!