Foreward by Mark Buchanan
Introduction: Crafting a Personal Rule of Life
Part One: Framing Your Personal Rule of Life
1. Roles: What Are My Primary Relationships?
2. Gifts: What Are My God-Given Gifts, Talents and Temperament?
3. Desires: What Are My Deepest Longings and Core Values?
4. Vision: What Is the Intentional Passion God Has Planted in
Me?
5. Mission: What Am I Currently Doing to Pursue My Vision?
Personal Rule of Life Statements
Part Two: Forming Your Personal Rule of Life
6. Time: Spiritual Priorities
7. Trust: Relational Priorities
8. Temple: Physical Priorities
9. Treasure: Financial Priorities
10. Talent: Missional Priorities
Weaving Together Your Personal Rule of Life
Part Three: Fulfilling Your Personal Rule of Life
11. Commitment to the Body of Christ
12. Context of a Spiritual Community
Conclusion: An Invitation to the Well-Ordered Way
Resources for Creating a Communal Rule of Life
Suggested Reading on Church History Notables
Four Individuals Crafting Their Personal Rule of Life
Acknowledgments
Notes
Stephen A. Macchia (D.Min.) is founding president of Leadership Transformations, Inc., a spiritual formation ministry for leaders and teams, and is the director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, including Becoming a Healthy Church (Baker). Steve and his wife, Ruth, have two children, Nathan and Rebekah, and live in the Boston area.
"In Crafting a Rule of Life Steve Macchia tackles the central
question facing the intentional disciple of Jesus Christ: How do I
shape the rhythms of my life so I can walk with God? Steve's
gentle, wise and practical guidance will help you draw closer to
Jesus on a day-by-day basis. This is not a book to miss."
*Christopher Webb, author of The Fire of the Word*
"Helping people develop their own personal rule of life so that
their lives truly revolve around the love of Jesus is one of the
most important issues facing the church today. Steve has made a
wonderful contribution in writing this practical, thorough book. I
highly recommend it!"
*Pete Scazzero, pastor and author of Emotionally Healthy
Spirituality*
"Whether our lives are overregulated or disheveled, a 'rule of
life' may be what we need—and this book will help. It is not about
'rules' but about the end and purpose of life—to know and love God
and become all he made us to be. Read it as a guide to shaping a
life, neither frittered away in self-indulgence nor constrained by
expectations of others, but growing into the fullness of Christ.
You will find Steve Macchia to be a wise and seasoned companion on
the way."
*Leighton Ford, author of The Attentive Life*
"Crafting a Rule of Life is a special gift of grace for all who
seek a more faithful and fulfilling way of living as a follower of
Jesus Christ. Steve Macchia clearly and compellingly writes about
the value of a disciplined way of living for individuals and small
groups, and then offers a carefully constructed pathway to find
that more faithful and fulfilling way."
*Rueben P. Job, coauthor of A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and
Other Servants and retired Bishop of the United Methodist
Church*
"I often talk to people who feel 'living insanity' defines them
more than 'living in sanity.' But one doesn't move from the former
to the latter without intention and a plan. Crafting a Rule of Life
offers a practical and doable process to move your life from
insanely busy and driven to the sweet sanity of ordered work and
rest. Biblical and historical guides accompany you on the crafting
journey. Steve's book is a wonderful tool for your journey."
*Adele Calhoun, author of Spiritual Disciplines Handbook and
Invitations from God*
"The genius of Steve's approach is he makes ancient ways
contemporary, personal and practical. Saint Benedict joins your
daily commute. George Mueller helps you reconcile your bank
statement. There's no need to live in a cave or meditate atop a
pillar. The life you long to live can be fashioned from the life
you already have."
*From the foreword by Mark Buchanan, author of Spiritual Rhythm*
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