In recent years, many church leaders have wrestled with a troubling reality: people are leaving our pews in search of spiritual depth they do not find within them. Polls reveal that Americans are more spiritually open than ever, yet fewer are turning to the Church as the place to satisfy this hunger. At the same time, research shows that people are still looking to their pastors, priests, and spiritual leaders for guidance in their growth.
The challenge is that many leaders feel unequipped for this role or have been shaped more as administrators than as spiritual guides. What is missing is a pathway into the kind of spiritual depth people are longing for. Contemplative life, with its grounding in silence, prayer, and attentiveness to God, offers a way for both leaders and congregations to rediscover spiritual growth that is authentic, sustainable, and transformative.
This tension became the foundation of my doctoral research, which asked a simple but urgent question: How can congregations move toward greater engagement with contemplative practice? I studied three Episcopal churches that are cultivating a contemplative culture. Through interviews and observation, I explored the obstacles they faced, the resources they employed, and the practices that took root. What emerged was a vision for renewal that is both ancient and profoundly relevant for today.
What I Found
The heart of the research is this: contemplative life thrives when leadership, communal rhythms, accessible practices, and personal accompaniment are woven together.
- Leadership matters. When clergy and lay leaders model a life of prayer and prioritize spiritual growth, congregations follow. Leaders who see themselves not just as administrators but as spiritual guides create the soil where contemplative practice can grow.
- Shared rhythms sustain. Silence, prayer, and stillness become transformative when they are not only individual disciplines, but communal habits woven into liturgy, meetings, and community life.
- Accessibility is key. Practices must be offered in approachable ways. Whether through centering prayer groups, short guided silence in worship, or teaching about contemplative practices such as Lectio Divina, leaders can demystify contemplation for the average churchgoer.
- Accompaniment transforms. Just as the desert mothers and fathers guided seekers, people today need companions. Spiritual direction, mentoring, and soul friendships give individuals the encouragement and accountability to stay the course.
Why It Matters
The research revealed that personal spiritual vitality fuels congregational vitality. When people discover the presence of God in silence, scripture, and community, their lives change. They are more engaged in service, more generous with their time and resources, and more resilient in faith. Congregations that embraced contemplative rhythms saw renewal not because they added another program, but because they recovered the Church’s ancient vocation: to form people into the likeness of Christ for the sake of the world.
What Leaders Can Do
For those guiding congregations today, a few practical steps stand out:
- Model the life you long to see. Let your leadership flow out of your own prayer life.
- Normalize silence. Introduce moments of stillness in worship and meetings; teach why silence matters.
- Equip companions. Train lay leaders as mentors or spiritual friends who can walk alongside others.
- Contextualize wisely. Every congregation is unique. Start where your people are and build practices that fit your context.
This work is not quick or flashy. It takes years of patient cultivation. But the fruit is profound: deeper discipleship, healthier congregations, and a clearer witness to a world searching for God. If you are a Christian leader longing to see renewal in your community, I invite you to explore this contemplative path.
This post is a summary of the work of Dr. Nicole Walters, who was awarded her Doctor of Ministry degree from Winebrenner in 2025. You can read more and connect with Nicole at nicoletwalters.com. You can read Nicole’s DMin Project at https://winebrenner.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/From-Roots-to-Renewal-An-Exploration-of-Contemplative-Life-in-Community-Nicole-T.-Walters.pdf