While our church building was closed and gatherings were not permitted because of the COVID-19 crisis, Pastor Ryan Emmons made a series of short video sermons based on the classic book Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster.

Spiritual disciplines are ways that we can maintain a connection with God at all times, but especially so in a time when we were unable to worship, learn, and serve with other people.

Here is the description of the book from the Renovare website:

Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, Celebration of Discipline explores the “classic Disciplines,” or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found. Dividing the Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward Disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study, offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward Disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service, help prepare us to make the world a better place. The corporate Disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration, bring us nearer to one another and to God.

Pastor Ryan’s videos were on:

1. Introduction to Spiritual Disciplines
2. Inward Disciplines:
   1. Meditation
   2. Prayer
   3. Fasting
   4. Study
3. Outward Disciplines:
   1. Simplicity
   2. Solitude
   3. Submission
   4. Service
4. Corporate Disciplines:
   1. Confession
   2. Worship
   3. Guidance
   4. Celebration

Other recommended resources:

• Ken Shigematsu’s book Survival Guide for the Soul (on Christian Meditation)