It’s been said we’re all part of a grand conversation that began before we got here and will carry on well past our departure. If that’s true, says blogger, author, and contemplative activist Christine Sine, we do well to listen before we do much talking.
Christine, co-founder with husband Tom of Mustard Seed Associates, has devoted her life to listening to God in a myriad of ways. Her most recent book is Return to Our Senses: Reimagining How We Pray. In this interview she tells us why the only responsibility Christians have is to listen to God.
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Synopsis
Christine Sine says the place of the Church is to help people process and interpret the interactions they have with God. Here are my notes from the interview.
Start Practicing!
Christine says a variety of simple practices, from Lectio Divina, Visio Divinia, the Examen, etc. have helped center her, and pay attention to God, which, she says, is at the heart of creativity and direction in her ministry.
Pastors: Let Go and Let God
Christine saves some choice words for pastors, whose burnout rate is remarkably high: remember it’s not up to you. She says pastors take too much of their work to heart and fail to fully realize that it’s God’s church, not theirs, which can be incredibly freeing.
Social Media as Spiritual Discipline
Tweeting, Facebooking, and blogging can be tremendous ways to build up one’s spirit, as ease of communication widens our abilities to touch others with the things God has touched us. Do you use social media this way?
About Christine Sine
Christine Sine is Executive Director of Mustard Seed Associates founded by her and her husband Tom Sine to assist churches and Christian organizations to engage the spiritual challenges of the 21st Century. She speaks on issues relating to changing our timestyle and lifestyle to develop a more spiritual rhythm for lives, missions and health and women’s issues. Christine trained as a physician in Australia and developed and directed the healthcare ministry for Mercy Ships. She still works as a consultant in international healthcare and travel medicine as well as conducting seminars to help prepare people for overseas mission service. She has worked in Africa, Asia, Central America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. She is the author of several books:
Return To Our Senses: Reimagining How We Pray
To Garden With God
Waiting for the Light
Also, GodSpace: Time for Peace in the Rhythms of Life (Barclay Press 2006), Travel Well World Vision Resources 2005 and Tales of a Seasick Doctor (Zondervan 1996). Christine and Tom also co-authored Living on Purpose: Finding God’s Best for Your Life. (Baker Books 2002). She blogs at http://godspace.wordpress.com
Books Christine Recommends
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life
Lectio Divina–The Sacred Art: Transforming Words and Images into Heart-centered Prayer (Art of Spiritual Living)
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