Soul Shaper

by Tony Jones

If you're unprepared for a book that makes faith come alive in practice, that makes past come alive in the present--and offers these gifts only if you're willing to spend significant time learning about the church's powerful, active spiritual heritage (and your place in it), then put this book down now. Still with us? Good! Because we really don't want you to miss this book. Soul Shaper is hands-down the most comprehensive primer on the study and use of spiritual and contemplative practices for the benefit of your teenagers--and especially your own soul. Inside, author Tony Jones gives wings to his critically acclaimed debut, Postmodern Youth Ministry, by lucidly explaining how you can put postmodern ideas to work by learning powerful disciplines such as-- Sacred Reading The Jesus Prayer The Ignatian Examen The Daily Office Stations of the Cross Sabbath Silence and Solitude Centering Prayer Spiritual Direction The Labyrinth Pilgrimage Service ...and eventually implement them into the life of your youth ministry! But Jones cautions us 'These are not gimmicks. This isn't an Ideas book or a discussion starter book or a great-games-for-over-50-kids-in-a-gym book. This is a strange book. Although it's about spiritual exercises and their application in the practice of youth ministry, please practice them before you implement them! You won't come close to learning everything you need to know after reading this book. In fact, you may be a few years from utilizing any of these practices in your youth ministry. But if you find one or two that you incorporate into your rule of life, I'm quite sure that you--and the students God has put into your care--will be eternally changed as a result.' Complete with unparalleled instruction, deep and rich resources, and a look into Jones' research, travels, and personal journals as he bathed in the serene light of contemplative Christian spirituality, Soul Shaper is your next best step on the postmodern path.

Genres: Prayer, Spirituality

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

About the author

Tony Jones is the author of The God of Wild Places: Rediscovering the Divine in the Untamed Outdoors (2024) and an award-winning outdoors writer. He’s written a dozen books, including Did God Kill Jesus? and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life. Tony hosts the Reverend Hunter Podcast, and teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary. He served as a consultant on the television show, The Path, and he owns an event planning company, Crucible Creative. He holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College, an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Tony is married, has three children, and lives in Edina, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Jason Parke · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I read this 15+ years ago in college while earning B.Th. degree, I felt it worth rating because I have held on to it all these years. Worth reading again, not only are spritual disciplines discussed are implied within youth ministry, but can and should be applied to adults within a growing Christian walk.

Worth another pwrsonal read and likely review, it is a must for every spiritual formation library.