Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
This book is an attempt to whisper on the fringes of the Great Conversation about life in God, a conversation which has been taking place, if not since the dawn of time, at least since the dawn of writing and literature. At the very center of this conversation stands Jesus Christ, the greatest teacher and spiritual master. Around him gather towering figures, alluded to in these pages, such as the apostle Paul, Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Ávila, Thomas Aquinas and Ignatius Loyola. These people, and others like them, have profoundly influenced Western civilization and shaped the way most contemporary Christians follow Christ, whether we recognize it or not.
Only a fool approaches this conversation alone. These are some of the greatest minds, and most passionately devoted souls, history has yet seen. Those of us who gather at the margins to listen in, and perhaps share with one another our meager gleanings, are wise to do so in community. As I have explored the ideas and experiences described in this book, I have had the good fortune of being surrounded by people who have helped me think more deeply, live more fully and pray more richly. There are misphrasings, lacunae, simple errors here that I can proudly claim as “all my own work.” But wherever this book is good, right and helpful, you can be sure you are feeling the influence of the wider circle of those who share my life, thought and prayer.
My dear friends and colleagues at Renovaré have contributed so much toward this book. Richard Foster has been a constant guide and companion. Margaret Campbell and James Catford, together with the rest of our board and ministry team, have tirelessly supported my efforts and carved out a great deal of time and space from my working life to ensure the project could be completed. We are so many, and I’m sure they will forgive me if I don’t mention everyone by name. I would like, though, particularly to acknowledge Bill Vaswig, a founding member of our board and a beloved friend of us all, who so encouraged me to write, but sadly passed away before the book was completed.
The staff at Renovaré have lived with this book almost as much as I have—which is to say, probably far too much. They have borne the burden of our ministry’s work while I have been secluded in libraries and studies, typing away; special thanks are due to Lyle Smith Graybeal, Joan Skulley and Mickey Cox. I’m also grateful to all those who have attended Renovaré events where I’ve explored and developed these ideas through conferences and retreats.
Almost everyone at Castle Oaks Covenant Church, in Castle Rock, Colorado, has helped in the process of developing these ideas, whether they were aware of it or not. Both the founding pastor, Herb Frost, and the current pastor, Paul Lessard, have become great friends and thoughtful partners in conversation. And it’s been stimulating to explore the practices of lectio divina and silence with the members of the church’s nascent contemplative prayer group; I’m especially thankful there for Chris Simpson.
My brothers and sisters in St. Dunstan’s Abbey, a community of the Grey Robe Monks of St. Benedict, have shared their deepest prayer and lectio with me. Their impact on my own thought and formation has been inexpressible, and I’m grateful to them all.
The team at IVP has been wonderfully supportive of this project from beginning to end; no author could ask for more. I’m especially thankful for Cindy Bunch, my editor, who took some interesting ideas I had tossed onto paper and helped turn it into a book someone might actually want to read. Kathy Helmers, my agent, has been unstintingly encouraging, for which I am deeply grateful.
The good people of the churches in Llanfair Caereinion, Llan-llugan and Manafon have, in particular, graciously explored with me many of the practices described in these pages. Three friends, Nick and Jane James, and Rebecca Reading, read a good deal of this material and offered very helpful responses.
My children—Benedict, Bethan, Francis and Gregory—have patiently borne with my absences, tiredness and occasional crankiness. They have been nothing less than enthusiastic about the project from start to finish, which still amazes and delights me. Above all, I’m grateful to my wife, Sally, my kindest (but most honest) critic and always my closest friend.