links for 2009-04-23

A megachurch pastor writes on the challenges of spiritual formation in the megachurch, and how his staff is learning from monastic spirituality:

"I was first introduced to monasticism while taking a spiritual formation class taught by Dallas Willard. I began using fixed-hour prayer and the lectionary for my devotional time, and I introduced these practices to other leaders at Church of the Open Door. In time we found ourselves being influenced by the writings of the Desert Fathers, Augustine, Patrick, Benedict, Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, and more modern writers like Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen. And apparently we're not alone."

Eugene writes one of those blog posts that I wish I could claim as my own. Excellent story, excellent commentary. Go watch and listen to the choir of PS22.