Ponder this: Spirituality
Some of you all know that I am taking a few graduate courses in theology. Last weekend, I met my online cohort in person at Gonzaga and spent a wonderful time in conversation and movie-watching, among other more academic pursuits.
The last reading assignment was Dr. Leonard Doohan’s book, Spiritual Leadership. His premise is that leadership in general needs a conversion, a change from a focus on technique and behavioral “rules” to a more transformational style that can only exist in a leader with deeply held values and mature spirituality.
Go ahead, try this: define spirituality.
One cool distinction I learned is the difference between spirituality and religion: spirituality concerns itself about the big questions while religion offers up the big answers.
Doohan offers a lot of definitions of spirituality that I will leave with you to ponder. Do so, as we consider joining another faith community that may express its spirituality very differently than we do. Spirituality is:
- a transitory manifestation of perennial values
- faith birthed in the ever-changing circumstances of modern life
- rooted in a faith experience and a deep resting place for the heart
- taking a positive approach to creation (an embodied faith)
- developed in the presence of others
Kathy Wickward
(for vacationing Father Bill)