An Invitation into the Presence of God

I took The Intimacy Project in 2017 and my life has not been the same. I learned how God communicates with me personally, and I learned how I communicate with God. I discovered the gift of being truly still with God, and the multitude of spiritual practices have increased my intimacy with God, as well as brought me to a place of being with myself. The community this took place in made me feel so safe and seen. I was transformed, and much healing took place.

Because I am so formed through The Intimacy Project, and much of what I do stems from this, I have joined the IP team.

If you are in a dry place, if you are not feeling fed, if you desire community, this might be a great place for you.

The Intimacy Project (IP) is a series of five retreats focused on introducing you to contemplative spiritual practices that invite you to become more aware of the presence of God in your everyday life. Participants join together for five two-day retreats over eight to nine months. You will experience a rhythm of learning a practice, spending time alone to try out the practice and reflect, and then processing your experience using a formative and emotionally safe group process.

But the IP is so much more than a "learning" experience. This journey into your life with God creates space and time for your most important relationship. It results in changes in your inner life with God and yourself, which leads to changes in your outer life. This course speaks to your heart and spirit. Healing occurs.

The IP is a great fit for those sensing there must be “more” to the spiritual life. If you have become tired of "doing for God” and find yourself yearning for more closeness, more intimacy, or more freedom in your relationship with God, then we encourage you to apply.

If you have already been through a spiritual formation program or are a spiritual director, please don't think "been there, done that.” Although some of the practices won't be new to you, the way they are offered will be fresh. And you are in a different place than you were the first time you learned the practices. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in your love relationship with God.

Being a part of the IP guarantees you'll have five weekends set aside to just "be" with God. Imagine what space that might open up in your soul to truly rest and receive. Cohorts are limited to five to eight participants in order to build an intimate community setting.

Topics Covered

This course focuses on contemplative Christian practices that help us become open and receptive to the process of transformation.

Intro to Course/Presence: Begin to notice God’s presence in places and ways you had not before, ultimately recognizing that God’s presence is always with you.

Streams/Pathways: Gain an understanding of how you uniquely connect with God.

Group Process: Learn a way of being with others that creates space for all to share their own experiences in a safe, judgment-free environment.

Journaling: Journaling can help you process and thoughtfully consider how God is present in your daily life.

Silence and Solitude: Begin to practice the discipline of becoming quiet before God and learning to hear God’s still, small voice.

Lectio Divina:  Read Scripture in a way that will move you into transformation as you consider how God wants to speak to you uniquely.

Prayer: Discover and practice ancient but fresh forms of prayer such as breath prayer, the prayer of examen, praying with Scripture, holding prayer, welcoming prayer, and more.

Grand Examen: A grand examen helps you reflect on the movements of God in your life in the past year.

Longing:  Discern what you most long for in relationship with God and what God’s longing is for you.

Creativity in Spiritual Formation: Explore ways of infusing creativity into your life with God.

Spiritual Formation and the Body: God invites us to experience spirituality in our body.  Learn practices that move you towards a more embodied spirituality.

Stages of Spiritual Growth: Using the book The Critical Journey, begin to understand the stages of your faith journey.

Discernment:  Move to a place where you can begin to trust God’s leading as you make decisions in your life, both big and small.

Spiritual Direction/Companionship:  Learn about several types of meaningful spiritual relationships that can help you process and pay attention to the movement of God in your life.

Sabbath and Retreat: These practices help you design a day of rest and also longer periods away for reflection.

Rule of Life: Develop rhythms that will help you to maintain the spiritual practices that allow you to be more aware of God’s presence in your life.

~ Psalm 42 ~ As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.