What’s the Center for Contemplative Leadership all about? What does contemplative prayer actually look like? We invite you to try out a contemplative listening circle for a semester and experience this one expression of contemplative ministry firsthand. Led by a trained facilitator, participants in each circle are invited to listen to the Spirit on behalf of one another. You get the chance to contemplate God’s presence in your life alongside a supportive group of 4–5 peers.

Here’s the typical structure of a Contemplative Listening Circle gathering:

1. 1. The facilitator offers an opening prayer or meditation
   2. Silence
   3. One participant offers a little bit of what’s on their heart
      • Sometimes this is a recollection of a few recent experiences in one’s spiritual journey. Sometimes it’s a deeper question from your studies or simply what stood out in the silence.
   4. Silence
   5. Responses from Group
      • This is a chance for group members to pray “What is God’s desire for the person who just spoke?” Sometimes group members will respond to the person who spoke by naming what they noticed while listening. Sometimes, group members respond by offering an image that came to them in silence. Sometimes they respond by saying nothing – rather, they continue to simply be with you, offering a loving presence.
   6. Silence (Repeat)
      • At this point, the group closes in silent prayer and repeats the process for the next person who feels led by the Spirit to offer some of what’s on their heart.

Gatherings typically last 90-minutes, and circles meet with varying frequency (i.e., some meet weekly, others biweekly, some monthly, etc.). If you’re interested in joining a group, please fill out the following form below and we’ll connect you with a facilitator.