“Any attempt to be missional without addressing the deep need for spiritual formation will largely remain aspirational.”

So spoke Dr. Todd Hunter, Anglican bishop, at the 2011 Ecclesia National Gathering, held last week in Washington, DC. Addressed to a group of church planters, pastors, and leaders, some scribbled with pen and paper while the tech-savvy typed and tweeted their agreement.

With an audience comprised mostly of pastors–largely young and/or pioneering leaders in unique contexts–who have experienced the unfilled aspirations Hunter spoke of, the gathering’s focus on spiritual formation was an apt choice. While the missional conversation has largely centered on pushing churches outward, this group of leaders came together to explore how the inward journey can provide the fuel necessary to see fruitful and sustainable ministry.

The gathering devoted time to the theoretical and practical questions of what congregational spiritual formation looks like in preaching, small and mid-sized groups, liturgy and worship, justice, and leadership. I appreciated hearing from both scholars and practitioners on the theological and Trinitarian foundations of spiritual formation and, following the “Preaching and Spiritual Formation” track, spent several hours in conversations led by David Fitch about the posture of preaching for mission and transformation.

But the discussions were not just “how to sessions” or “six easy steps” to introduce or improve spiritual formation in your church. While there was time given to the nitty-gritty details of ministry, the underlying focus was on the need for spiritual formation in the lives of pastors.

Bruce Hopler, pastor and Ecclesia board member, commented that church leaders, more often than forgetting they are pastors, forget they are human. The silent affirmations spoke volumes when MaryKate Morse, church planter and professor of leadership and spiritual formation at George Fox Seminary, reminded us “it is a sin to work 24/7, to not take a Sabbath.” I think it is fair to say that many of us came feeling burdened, stressed, tired, and exhausted, and these words (along with the conversations held throughout the three-day gathering) spoke to the souls of the pastors and practitioners present.

The Ecclesia Network describes itself as a “relational network of churches” and creates space for diverse yet like-minded practitioners to partner together in ministry. Close to the heart of Ecclesia is a shared commitment to the common language and DNA of partnership in God’s mission. Many, myself included, pastor churches without deep or formal connections to traditional denominations, so gathering together in what has been described as a “post-denominational network” allows churches and pastors in Ecclesia to provide mutual encouragement and support in what is often a lonely vocation.

While there is a central commitment to the importance of mission for the church, there is diversity in secondary theological issues as well as in models for ministry. At the 2011 National Gathering, I interacted with men and women leading house churches, not-yet-launched church plants, established churches of all sizes as well as rural, suburban, and urban churches. Some have denominational ties while others are independent. In the current landscape of the too-often divided Western church, it was refreshing to see differences lead not to division but to dialogue.

Having attended my share of conferences, it has not been uncommon to leave feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, rather than refreshed and eager to return to the throes of ministry. As a young pastor, the 2011 Ecclesia National Gathering felt different. The relational “no-rock-star” approach to the gathering, the size and schedule, the relationships, and the call for personal and communal formation into the likeness of Christ all contributed to a refreshing, engaging, and transformational few days.

Ecclesia is a relational network of churches, leaders and movements that seek to equip, partner and multiply missional churches and movements. Recordings of many of the National Gathering sessions can be found on the Ecclesia website (http://www.ecclesianet.org/).

Dave Kludt is a pastor/equipper at Kairos Hollwood and works for the Fuller Doctor of Ministry program. When not doing one of these two things, he hangs out with his wife in East Hollywood reading books, laughing with friends, biking around the neighborhood, and eating ethnic food.