Humility : a retreat of ritual and pathways
Abstract
This project contains an action research impact study that developed a
retreat for first-call, rural, Midwestern, male pastors in their first five years
of ministry. The retreat intended for these pastors to have a meaningful
experience of humility during three primary retreat components: 1) a ritual
where personal titles, roles, successes, accomplishments, ordinations, and
worldly gains were removed; 2) large-group sessions with activities
designed to develop self-awareness; and 3) small-group sessions based on
“Circle of Trust Touchstones.” Contributing to the field of practical
theology, this project includes intensive qualitative research regarding the
impact of the three components on retreat participants. The project also
includes an articulation of the ways in which the action research affected the
spiritual formation of the researcher.