Restoration Ministries offers hope, healing and wholistic growth in Jesus Christ. Caring for individuals, families, churches and organizations, we provide space to know and experience Christ's Holy Presence. We facilitate freedom, healing and wholeness and provide paths for spiritual growth and deeper communion with God by offering:

•Spiritual direction and soul care ministries
•Healing prayer sessions
•Resources for support and recovery at personal and/or family points of fracture
•Scripture and spirituality groups
•Retreats and retreat space where souls can find rest and renewal
•Collaborative ministries with the Church, local and at-large

August 2010

A team from Restoration Ministries traveled to Chicago a few weeks ago, invited to present a workshop at the national SNAP conference. SNAP is the Survivor’s Network of those Abused by Priests and Clergy. Our specific workshop was entitled, “Hope for Healing.” The vastness of the numbers of those affected by this kind of abuse was overwhelming. The tragedy of any kind of abuse is heartbreaking and fractures the lives of those affected, but the spiritual injuries that result from abuse by those in roles of spiritual authority and representatives of God add a dimension and deeper layers of despair. Many have walked away from God completely and I find that very understandable as well as grievous.

I am still sifting and sorting through my own inner responses and continually needing to resist categorizing and defining others in boxes of good or bad, evil or not evil, dark or light. I think when I do that the focus is on externals and minimizes the necessary inner work that all are called to do, especially those in ministry and church leadership. Camps are set up, sides are drawn, hostilities and divisions escalate; fear pervades, truth is buried in denial and cover-ups happen.

An interview with Parker Palmer published in Leader to Leader Journal (Fall 2001) included the following in the dialogue:

“As the great jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker said, ‘If it ain’t in your heart, it ain’t in your horn.’ We can hear the horns everywhere, but if they’re not being played from the heart, then certain negative consequences follow.

I know from experience inside corporations and large-scale organizations that everybody is sizing up the leader and asking, ‘Is this a divided person or a person of integrity? Is what we see what we get? Is he or she the same on the inside as on the outside?” 

Students ask this about teachers in the classroom. Employees ask it about their bosses. Citizens ask it about their politicians. When the answer is, ‘No, what we see on the outside is not the same as who they are on the inside,’ then things start to fall apart.  I have just described an unsafe situation when leaders with the power to call the tune and shape the dance are perceived as lacking congruence or integrity, they create unsafe situations.”

Trust is a tenuous thing. We know betrayal of trust when those we thought we could trust betray that trust, whether parents, spouses, co-workers, supervisors, corporate heads, pastors and priests. The road to forgiveness and healing can be long; it requires courage and truth; grace, mercy and humility.

Again, quoting Parker Palmer: “The best leaders work from a place of integrity in themselves, from their hearts. If they don’t they can’t inspire trustful relationships. In the absence of trust, organizations fall apart.” I don’t think this just happens, this inner work requires intention and attention – it is a way of being, cultivated by openness, willingness and honesty. I believe that resources within the therapeutic community and those in spiritual formation and direction ministries foster these intentions. I believe that all ministry leaders, pastors and priests need relationships in which they can be honest and open in order to grow in integrity and congruency in their own hearts and leadership. The need for organizations such as SNAP is clear. Intervention and prevention is critical.

Pastor Jean Leih 

OPPORTUNITIES AT RESTORATION MINISTRIES

DEEP ROOTEDNESS RETREAT DAY

We invite you to come and share in the day with us as we allow our roots to sink down deep into the soil of God’s love. The day will include time for scripture meditation, quiet reflection, creative expression, prayer and sharing in story and a meal together. Together we will notice God’s invitation to grow more deeply in Him.

Kim Isaak is currently completing her Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership through Spring Arbor University and she is trained in the ministry of Spiritual Direction. Also a wife, mother, friend, educator, and businesswoman, Kim seeks to attend to God’s presence in the ordinary and everyday, abiding in Christ’s love for her.

WHEN: Saturday, September 25 8:30-3:30
COST:  $35.00
LOCATION:  To be announced
REGISTER:  To register online, click here. 

GENESIS STUDY: A New Beginning

Shaped by the Word

This is an announcement for prior participants in the manuscript study of Genesis. Meeting on Tuesday nights, 7-9pm, at the offices of Restoration Ministries, sessions will resume on September 14. Facilitated by Marji Karjalahti, MDiv.

If you are interested in this class and have not been a prior participant, please let us know and we will consider offering a new class.  Contact us at 952.241.4150 or email: info@restorationmn.org.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION MINISTRY AVAILABLE
Restoration Ministries has a number of trained spiritual directors available to provide spiritual companionship in one-to-one sessions.The intention is to provide space and time to listen, notice and be attentive to God's invitations in one's life and journey, to foster a deeper relationship with God, and to cultivate noticing, discerning and responding to God's Holy Spirit.

Call to schedule an appointment at: 952.241.4150

EVENINGS OF LISTENING PRAYER
Every Wednesday: 7-9 pm
Join with us and others for evenings of LISTENING PRAYER. Framed in simple worship, Scripture and prayerful sharing, this space is provided for attentiveness to listening to God and others. We meet every Wednesday evening from 7-9 pm. There is no registration nor cost. Anyone is welcome to come and experience this quiet, worshipful listening space.

Location: Restoration Ministry Center, 952.241.4150

Blessings,

Pastor Jean Leih

For your information and interest:

Dr. Glenn Myers on Christian Spirituality:
http://www.deepwellswithglennmyers.blogspot.com/

Pastor Jean Leih on integrating faith and life:
http://integratingfaithandlife.blogspot.com/

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