Q&A with Jerry Webber

How did you get started on this contemplative spiritual path?

In the early 1990’s I was a Senior Pastor in a medium-sized church. I found myself doing things that were important for the congregation, but which drained life out of me. I began to explore, reading about spiritual practice by writers like Eugene Peterson and Richard Foster. I started hanging out with people from other Christian traditions, trying to learn about prayer from Episcopalians who prayed daily at set times and quiet Quakers... from gospel-oriented Mennonites and monastic Catholics... from Orthodox and Celtic Christians. I explored and experimented, and found life in giving attention to my inner life. I also found that tending the inner life meant that I engaged in service and ministry very differently than before.

Over time, several years in fact, I discovered that I was also searching to find my own faith in God, rather than accepting without question the faith handed to me by family, church, and culture. So the quest for me was for an authentic expression of my own personhood in connection with God.

I have to say that the journey has been incremental, at best. There has been no clear, straightline forward. I stumble ahead a step or two, then stall out, or step backwards. The journey for me has been full of fits and starts. And I’m nowhere near the destination. I’m constantly reminded that I’m only a beginner on this spiritual path, and will never be anything more than a beginner.

What seems important to you in an ongoing life of prayer and practicing God’s presence?

A couple of things seem important, at least from my experience. First, we have to practice prayer and the spiritual life as an embodied experience, rather than merely study it or gain knowledge about it as a conceptual exercise. In other words, we learn and grow as we do, as we actually pray and make our spiritual experience real in daily life. I find too many people who study or read about contemplative spirituality as an object of interest or curiosity, but who do not actually embody it. The life of prayer and spirituality really is a life!

Second, it’s helpful to cultivate an exploring spirit. This means being grounded in God’s love... there is nothing you can do or not do that will cause you to lose God’s love. God’s love for you is the one constant in life. God’s love is an always-everywhere reality. So you can afford to explore prayer and the spiritual life without fear that you will lose God’s love. This is a huge safety net. You’re not going to fall over the edge of the map in your explorations. So you can try new ways of prayer, things that are out of your comfort zone, things that seem to be the domain of another denomination. You’ll never lose God. So explore!

Why is Lent a time to talk about prayer and contemplative practice?

Lent tends to be the season for a kind of spring cleaning of the soul. Many people already undertake spiritual practices during Lent. So I suggest that we ride the Lenten train... only that we shift our spiritual practices from giving up chocolate, soft drinks, or movies to something more substantial, something more transcendent. Let’s talk, instead, about spiritual practices that help shape our lives for the long haul. Let’s engage in practices that will truly shape us inwardly and will make a difference in this constantly shifting world... giving up anger for Lent, or judgments, or perfectionism, or the need to be liked.

Why do we call this conference Teach Us to Pray?

In Luke 11:1, Jesus’ disciples say to him, “teach us to pray.” They have walked with Jesus, observed his life, witnessed his teaching and healing ministry, and noted his authority. They want what he has, but they don’t say, “teach us to heal,” or “teach us to cast out demons.” They saw – with spiritual intuition, I believe – that Jesus’ frequent times in solitude with his Abba deeply rooted him and shaped him in God. So they asked, “teach us to pray.”

That is our request, too. We want the Spirit to shape us, to root us in God... so we say to God, “teach us to pray!” Teach us prayer beyond the beginnings. Teach us prayer that is more than “every head bowed and every eye closed.” Teach us prayer that is deeper than thoughts and words. Teach us prayer than is more about communion than asking... more transformation than transaction.

What should I bring to the conference?

Bring with you a spirit of openness to what God might stir within your heart... bring a willingness to engage in some things that might seem outside the box for you... bring a spirit of intentionality about spiritual things in your life.

Teach Us To Pray

February 28 - 29 | 6:30 PM - 12 PM | Wesley Hall Contemplative Teacher Jerry Webber will lead this two day series teaching about prayer as a lifestyle and a spiritual practice. Register online at mdumc.org/register. Cost is $25. Questions? Contact VictorResendiz@mdumc.org.