Clergy who attend to their own spiritual formation by engaging in classical spiritual disciplines can become more effective preachers and lead in the spiritual transformation of their congregations. Christian preaching aims at experiencing more of God in our own lives. Spiritual disciplines enhance our inner lives and therefore empower our outward witness and effectiveness as preachers. Over the course of three years, I preached seven sermons on the spiritual disciplines and practiced those disciplines in my own life. The spiritual disciplines I used were: Self-examination and Confession, Solitude and Silence, Community Formation, Meditation on Scripture, and Works of Mercy. Two congregational surveys used to evaluate the effect of these sermons suggested that small groups are an especially effective way to create community life in a congregation and that preaching the spiritual disciplines does enhance a stronger spiritual awareness and practice among active church members.
