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âI feel like Iâve had some kind of breakthrough related to feeling full permission, full blessing, to live with unconditional love for people around me, and some insight into some of the walls that were there that were keeping me from believing that truly being unconditionally loving is the way to be.â (Cheri Hudspith)
Our host, Adam Ormord, welcomes Lori Shoults and Cheri Hudspith (Co-Directors of Practice Collective) to The Being Formed Podcast to discuss the Ignatian Journey and the life-changing invitation to join Jesus on the way.
Their story is not unlike yours. God is always present, trying to get your attention, moving you into places of deeper trust and surrender. Are you ready to take the journey?
Practice Collective is a Christ-centered non-profit ministry providing holistic experiences, safe communities, and relevant resources that invite and encourage followers of Jesus Christ on their inward and outward journey of spiritual transformation.Lori Shoults is the curator/designer of The Ignatian Journey: A Contemporary Approach to the Spiritual Exercises. She leads groups through The Ignatian Journey and is one of the retreat hosts for the Pastors, Priests, and Guides Retreat. She served for several years on The Practice team at Willow Creek Community Church and for three years was the Program Coordinator for the Spiritual Formation Certificate Program through Moody Distance Learning. She is passionate about spiritual formation, spiritual direction, and inviting others into a deeper intimacy with Christ. You can reach Lori at [email protected] Hudspith assists leaders with the unique challenges and joys of bringing Spiritual Formation ways of learning and growing into the local church. Initially, this began by training Life with God leaders, a three-year journey offered through Grafted Life Ministries, and eventually expanded into other relationships developed beyond that organization. She also completed her training in Spiritual Direction through Selah - LTi in 2013. She loves meeting with directees and now enjoys training future directors as a Supervisor through the same program. She also has experience leading retreats, Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, and guiding life-mapping tools. You can reach Cheri at [email protected].Resources mentioned in today's episode:
The Ignatian JourneyThe Ignatian Adventure (Kevin O'Brien, SJ)Article: Suppose We All Presupposed?Also recommended:
Article: Mary and the Prayer of Indifference (Ruth Haley Barton)Practice: Prayer for Indifference (from Trinity Church)Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard (Trevor Hudson)A New Liturgy No. 6: The ExamenThe Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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âWhen you care for your soul as a way of life, you can handle when really hard things come your way and still maintain that groundedness. Now, itâs turbulent, itâs hard, itâs disorienting, but the bottom didnât fall out the way it had years ago.â (Mindy Caliguire)
Mindy Caliguire is the founder and president of Soul Care (soulcare.com), an organization that exists to cultivate soul health among leaders and those they serve. Mindy works with Christian leaders in ministry and marketplace environments, serving individuals and organizations around the world and through the Soul Care Collective, an online community. Mindy and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Boulder, Colorado.
The subject of Mindy's conversation with Adam Ormord (the host of The Being Formed Podcast) is her latest book, "Ignite Your Soul: When Exhaustion, Isolation, and Burnout Light a Path to Flourishing."
Mindy also referenced two helpful resources in the conversation:
"Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin" by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr."Living in the Vision of God" by Dallas WillardThe Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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Adam Ormord (LifePoint Resources) welcomes Summer Joy Gross to The Being Formed Podcast for a conversation about forming a stronger attachment to God who promises to be with us always.
Summer Joy Gross (MDiv, Virginia Theological Seminary) is the author of "The Emmanuel Promise: Discovering the Security of a Life Held By God." Summer is an Anglican priest, retreat leader, and spiritual director whose work is guided by the belief that our stories can be transformed by God's invitation to make his love our home base. She is associate faculty of spiritual formation and the art of spiritual direction at the Healing Care Ministries' spiritual direction school.
Summer walks with hundreds of people into a secure attachment with the Father through podcasts, videos, retreats, and groups of various sizes. With her warm and compassionate style, Summer sets a table for those who have heard sermons on Sunday about abiding in Christ but who are hungry for its reality.
Summer invites you to come awake to He who desires to draw you close, cup your face in His hands, and convince you your adoption is not just a sheet of paper, not just a seal for heaven, but a commitment of His constant care and connection.
Order "The Emmanuel Promise" here, and learn more about Summer's ministry, The Presence Project, at www.athirstforgod.org.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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Our host, Adam Ormord, welcomes Abigail Doust to The Being Formed Podcast to talk about the joy of serving and caring for women who serve in cross-cultural ministry all across the world.
Abigail is an author, speaker, coach, and trainer who is passionate about helping leaders get equipped to help others move forward. Abigail is the Development Director for Thrive Ministry, which replenishes and supports women serving cross-culturally by resourcing them and caring for their souls. She also runs a business, Equipping for Impact, which trains and inspires people to use coaching skills in their homes, churches, communities, workplaces, and everywhere they go.
Abigail has a Bachelor of Communications Education and Masters in Theatre in Directing. She is a Certified Professional Life Coach and accredited with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She co-wrote Authentic Conversations with her husband, Scott. They live in Arvada, CO and have 4 daughters. When she carves out space to care for her soul, she loves reading, seeing plays, getting coffee, taking walks, and connecting with family and friends.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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On today's episode, Adam Ormord (President and Founder of LifePoint Resources) welcomes Sean Nemecek to the podcast to talk about the very serious issue of burnout, especially for those who serve in ministry. This is an important conversation as we recognize the elevated state of stress and exhaustion affecting so many leaders in our communities and churches. Hope, help and health are available to all of us, so listen and share with those in need.
"It's my goal that people really experience their union with Christ, the depth of security they have with Him, and the freedom to minister out of God's love." - Sean Nemecek
Sean Nemecek is the author of The Weary Leaderâs Guide to Burnout and the West Michigan Regional Director for Pastor-in-Residence Ministries. Sean served as a pastor for 18 years before joining PIR. Now he works as both a spiritual director and ministry coach â specializing in coaching people through burnout and helping organizations develop an anti-burnout culture. He is all about helping people feel seen, heard, and known in the welcoming presence of our loving God. In his spare time Sean enjoys gardening with his wife, Amy. He also enjoys learning, cooking, woodturning, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.
"The Weary Leaderâs Guide to Burnout: A Journey from Exhaustion to Wholeness" is Outreach Magazine's 2024 Leadership Resource of the Year. It also won a Silver Medalion Award (2024 Christian Book Awards Finalist in Ministry Resources). Learn more at www.wearyleadersguide.com.
You can engage with Sean Nemecek at several online locations: Seannemecek.com; The Pastor's Soul (Blog); PIR Ministries; Facebook; LinkedIn; Twitter, Threads, and Instagram: @pastorsoul.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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Adam Ormord welcomes friend and mentor, Stephen W. Smith, to The Being Formed Podcast to talk about the power of deep listening.
Steve Smith is the co-founder of Potter's Inn, a Christian ministry devoted to the work of spiritual formation and the care of the soul. He's the author of several books and small group guides, including The Lazarus Life, Soul Custody, The Jesus Life, and Inside Job. Steve and Gwen have been married since 1980 and have four grown sons and 14 grandchildren.
Steve regularly writes on his Substack page, Potterâs Inn with Stephen W. Smith, where he recently posted an article entitled "Deep Listening Might Save Us. His article is vulnerable and honest, as evidenced in today's podcast.
"So many wordsâtoo many words is a form of abuse to the soul, I believe. I use the word abuse intentionally. Why abuse? Because abuse is not just what is done âtoâusâabuse it also what is withheld from us. When we are not heard, then the message we get is, âI donât matter.â Thatâs not the truth. Listening validates that the one speaking matters." (Steve Smith, Deep Listening Might Save Us, July 29, 2024)
(26:55) Adam recites the lyrics of a song called "let me listen." Text by Charles Anthony Silvestri / Music by Dan Forrest. 2022. (Watch & Listen on YouTube Here.)
(48:12) Steve offers a short practice to help us consider the value of Deep Listening. Build an acrostic of the word LISTEN based on what listening looks like to you. Steve's example: "E" means Eyes fixed; "N" means Now is the moment. Adam's example: "N" means No phone on the table. Do this exercise in community and discuss ways to practice deep listening together.
If you'd like to share your LISTEN acrostic with our LifePoint community, send an email to [email protected].
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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âDeep discipleship is not all that interested in power. Itâs interested in listening and formation. Those two things sometimes work at odds.â - Brian Fisher
Our host, Adam Ormord, welcomes Brian Fisher (soilandroots.org) to The Being Formed Podcast for an important conversation on the topic of discipleship. Brian is the founder of Soil and Roots, a non-profit ministry helping to form and support small communities that actively listen to the stories and experiences of one another, thereby cultivating deep discipleship together.
Brian spent his early career in various executive roles in both for-profit companies and non-profit Christian ministries. He has spoken around the United States on issues such as cultural engagement, media, bioethics, and apologetics.
Brian is the author of various published articles and books, including his latest book, Soil and Roots: Cultivating Deep Discipleship. Heâs also the host of the Soil and Roots Podcast, available on your favorite podcast streaming platform.
Visit the Soil and Roots website to learn more about starting a Greenhouse in your community.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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"Christians so often think they must always contribute something when they are in the company of others, that this is the one service they have to render. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking.â (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together)
We're delighted to welcome Melody Leeper, Program Manager of Renovaré's Listening Groups, to the podcast. Melody does a phenomenal job explaining the growing community of participants from many countries around the world who are finding their way to online and in-person monthly listening groups.
Renovaré Listening Groups are a formational experience like no other in the Church today. Imagine coming together with one intention - to listen to God, to one another, and to your own heart. The Renovaré website further explains what participants will experience in a group.
Participants in Renovaré's Listening Groups...
Experience the freedom of listening without having to respond, fix, or correct one anotherOffer generous and unhurried space to share without interruption, questions, or adviceForgo fear of othersâ judgment and impression managementLearn to discern the voice of God in communityShare honestly about their journey with GodFavor Godâs voice over their ownWelcome prayerful silenceGive and receive prayerWe hope you enjoy this conversation and prayerfully consider joining a Listening Group. Visit RenovarĂ© to learn more and sign up for a free "Drop-in Group."
Also, visit LifePoint Resources to read Melody's beautiful poem entitled "Yes."
Resources Mentioned
Celebration of Discipline (Richard Foster)The Making of an Ordinary Saint (Nathan Foster)The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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How would you answer these five Biblical questions from God?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your name?
- Where are you?
- What do you want?
- What do you have in your hand?
These five questions provide a framework for formational mentoring, a ministry of soul care which stands apart from a typical mentoring relationship, life coaching, or even a spiritual direction relationship.
"Formational mentoring has an emphasis on a posture that's seeking intimacy with God."
Becky Dietz is the Formational Mentoring Director at LifePoint Resources. She's also a writer, speaker, and retreat leader with many years of church and para-church ministry experience, both in rural and urban settings. Beckyâs undergraduate work focused on Christian Education, and she holds a Masters degree in Christianity and Culture from Knox Theological Seminary.
Becky writes formational resources which help Christians from many cultures pursue and protect personal sacred spaces and rhythms. She loves to facilitate groups â large or small â where people are invited to understand and enjoy deeper friendship with God.
Visit LifePoint Resources to learn more about Formational Resources and connect with Becky Dietz.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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What does it mean to discern wisely? Is discernment all about making decisions, either as an individual or with a group, or is there more to it than that? Our guest, Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia, helps us form a broader definition of discernment which includes all of our life with God by "practicing a preference for God" in every relationship, every circumstance, every conversation, every single day.
Steve Macchia is a thought provoking author and is the Founder and President of Leadership Transformations, Inc. LTI focuses on the spiritual formation needs of leaders and the spiritual discernment processes of leadership teams in local church and parachurch ministry settings nationwide. He is also the Director of the Pierce Center for Discipleship-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Visit stevemacchia.com to purchase your copy of Steve's recent book, "The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything."
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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We're grateful to Brandon Booth, the co-founder and president of Signpost Inn Ministries, for bringing his years of wisdom and insight related to the art of relational conversation to The Being Formed Podcast.
Brandon and his wife, Liv, run a retreat house in Colorado and provide hospitality through various retreats, spiritual direction, and masterfully crafted resources all designed to help people grow confidence in Christ's unfailing love, and help them to think wisely about theology, prayer, spirituality and more. Brandon and Liv offer spiritual friendship and support so that no one has to journey alone.
This episode is about learning to engage in more fruitful conversation primarily through practicing curiosity and active listening. As we learn to listen without cynicism and over-analysis, we become more open to the riches of relationship and friendship offered by the other.
This is true of our relationship with God.
Spiritual direction is a place and space where we are offered the gifts of curiosity and active listening. It's a place to pay attention to God's loving voice within. If you are seeking spiritual direction, please visit LifePoint Resources and connect with one of our spiritual directors.
Also visit Brandon Booth's website at www.signpostinn.org to connect with him as a spiritual director or to register for an upcoming retreat.
Brandon's book, Changing the Conversation, is available for purchase here.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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Our host, Adam Ormord, discusses the spiritual practice of listening with Dr. Ann van der Merwe. Utilizing technological resources to curate musical experiences has never been easier than it is today. Is there value in considering the role of music in our own formation? How might we intentionally cooperate with God by allowing music and art to speak a better word to our souls? Is it possible God is present, beckoning us to be more present in and through the curated soundscape of our lives? If so, is listening a practice we might engage with more curiosity and attention?
Ann van der Merwe currently works as an Adjunct Instructor of Humanities at Southern New Hampshire University. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Illinois and an MA and PhD in Musicology from The Ohio State University. She has two published books on music, both focusing on American popular music in the early twentieth century. She is also a lifelong follower of Jesus who has shared her love of music, writing, and the divine gift of human creativity in a variety of other ways, both in ministry and in life.
Two curated playlists for your practice of listening (from Ann):
Rest: I curated this playlist as an invitation to rest - to Sabbath, to being rather than doing, to relaxing both physically and spiritually, to trusting in and asking for Godâs provision. The word ârestâ appears throughout, and the sonic palette is intentionally restful as well. The songs collectively also reflect on and refer to a variety of Scripture passages inviting us to rest.
Rest - Andrew OsengaI Am - Jill PhillipsCome Away - Jason PolleyCome To Me (Acoustic) - Jadon LavikRest Easy - Andrew PetersonTake Five - The Dave Brubeck QuartetFill My Cup - Andrew RippGive It A Rest - The Arcadian WildRest - The Gray HavensLilies & Sparrows - Jess RayRest (Postlude) - Jess Ray
How Long?: I curated this playlist as a musical lament - a way to share grief, pain, impatience, frustration, and longing for the Kingdom. The words âHow Longâ appear frequently, and even when they are absent, the sentiment remains. Musical style varies more widely here, which intentionally reflects the range of emotions that accompany lament as well as our unique human expressions of lament.
Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2 (Songs of Surrender Version)How Long? - Bifrost ArtsThe Reckoning (How Long) - Andrew PetersonMy Soul Waits - Bethany BarnardCome Back Soon - Andrew PetersonO God, Will You Restore Us? - Bifrost ArtsThe Year of the Locust - Andrew OsengaThe Dark Before the Dawn - Andrew PetersonWaiting â Andrew Osengaâ40â - U2 (Songs of Surrender Version)
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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How is it with you and God? What's God up to in your life? How is it with your soul These are some of the questions explored in spiritual direction, a ministry of listening.
Debbie Schuster is the Director of Deepen, a two-year course of study designed for individuals who desire to grow in their own spiritual lives as well as to cultivate the spiritual lives of others in a cross-cultural setting. Grounded in multiple streams of Christian spirituality, the course offers a balanced learning environment blending spiritual formation with skills development through experiential, developmental and group activities.
A trained, practicing spiritual director for over 20 years, Debbie previously served as adjunct faculty and staff at Talbot School of Theology and the Institute for Spiritual Formation. Currently residing in MĂĄlaga, Spain, she is part of the SentWell multi-disciplinary member care team, providing services for cross-cultural workers serving around the world.
To learn more about Deepen and SentWell, visit https://www.sentwell.org/deepen.
To meet with one of LifePoint's trained spiritual directors, visit https://www.lifepointresources.org/direction and request a consultation.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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Why is listening so important to our spiritual journey? How can we learn to listen better? How can we offer the gift of deep listening to others, especially in a world with so much noise? What are some practices we can engage in to stay open to the still, small voice of God?
Join Adam Ormord, the founder of LifePoint, for this short explanation of the concept of listening "softer." This podcast episode serves as the launchpad for an upcoming series of conversations broadly exploring the theme of listening as it relates to our being with Jesus and becoming people of love.
Please take a moment to rate, review, and share The Being Formed Podcast with others in your community. More reviews and ratings equal more listeners finding their way to our conversations on soul care, spiritual direction, Christian spiritual formation, and life with God.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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On today's episode, Adam Ormord is joined by a dear friend in formation, LuAnn Roberson, the curator and founder of "A Simple Pause." LuAnn shares the story of her upbringing, her heart to come alongside hurting people as a nurse (of bodies and souls), and her desire to give the gift of "A Simple Pause" to all those in need.
We, at LifePoint Resources, are grateful to help spread the word about the gift of "A Simple Pause." Here's a brief description from their website:
"A Simple Pause ministry started out of a desire to create space for ourselves and others to experience a few minutes with God each day. Caring for our souls often happens in times alone in quiet and stillness, or one on one with a spiritual director or companion, or in a group with others who are seeking to deepen their relationship with God. We serve others in those three ways: through the app A Simple Pause, in one-to-one interactions of soul care, and through events/retreats we offer in collaboration with other ministries. LuAnn Roberson, the founder of A Simple Pause, is passionate about accompanying others on that deepening journey." (from www.asimplepause.org/about-us/)
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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Let's face it...no matter who we are or what we do for a living, we're all in need of soul care.
We carry so much in our hearts, minds, and our bodies - pressures of the day, wounds from the past, hopes and concerns for the future - and we desperately need a space where we can be real in the presence of someone who will point us to God's love!
At LifePoint Resources, we are passionate about soul care for everyone! No matter your status or your story, we're here to walk with you. Adam Ormord, the host of the podcast has a background in pastoral ministry, particularly as a worship pastor in the local church. Adam regularly meets with pastors and leaders in all stages of ministry, but he will always have a place in his heart for men and women who lead their congregations in worship.
In response to God's leading, we're announcing plans for a new soul care initiative curated just for worship leaders. Adam welcomes Shawn Smith, a fellow soul care provider and worship leader, to the podcast to help explain the heart behind this new effort. We hope you'll listen and pass this conversation along to the worship leader in your faith community.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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Lacy Finn Borgo's book, "Faith Like a Child," poses a beautiful question, one that we often don't give ourselves permission to ask. What is God like?
How would you answer that question? What does it mean for you to be able to see the God who sees you? How has God been revealed to you through the harsh reality of your own story? How have you experienced a profound grace that others may not have noticed?
This Easter reflection will give you some space to notice and name God in the midst of your own story. Please reach out to us at lifepointresources.org if you need to process your story with someone who will help point you back to "the God who sees."
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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What do you do when you realize your inner-world is not able to withstand the pressure from your outer-world? What does it mean to pay attention to your soul, or to care for your soul? How would you describe the state of your soul right now?
In attempting to answer these questions, we will first ask a more general question: "What is Soul Care?" One of the most concise and practical definitions of soul care comes from Stephen W. Smith:
"Soul care takes us past the immediate and physical to what is truly important. It figures out what truly matters in life and then realigns the self to those higher priorities...Soul care involves relationships, personal spiritual growth, inner healing and change, rest and rejuvenation, and living with heaven in mind. It slows down the frenetic lifestyle to make time for the soul." (Embracing Soul Care, Copyright 2006, Kregal Publications, 31)
As a means of helping to define soul care, Adam Ormord, the host of The Being Formed Podcast, shares his personal story of hitting rock bottom in life and in ministry, and the restoration that occurred when he began to partner with God in the care of his soul.
We hope you will find this episode helpful as you consider your own journey. If you would like to process how you and God are doing, please reach out.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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We're often asked, "What is Spiritual Formation?" Is it some kind of eastern thing? Is it part of the charismatic movement? Is it coming from the Catholic stream? Isn't it interesting how two words can create such confusion?
In today's episode, we want to help you understand what spiritual formation means and why it matters to us. Hopefully you'll see how "being formed in the image of Christ" is more than just a lofty idea but an invitation to each and every person to experience God's love and live from a place of soul health.
We're thankful for our friends in formation at "A Simple Pause." Download their free app - A Simple Pause - in English or Spanish, and visit their website to learn more. www.asimplepause.org.
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
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Hello and welcome to The Being Formed Podcast! We're excited to introduce ourselves and give you a little background on the founding of LifePoint Resources. We're also happy to share our vision for this podcast and the conversations we will enjoy together!
The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources.
