Un-noising the Pastoral Life (Featuring Strahan Coleman)

Are you in a working relationship with God, or a loving one?

In this episode, join Bryan Rouanzoin and Strahan Coleman for a conversation about finding a deeper place, beyond language or thought,  where we can gaze at God as he gazes lovingly back at us. Strahan shares how years of suffering from a chronic illness stripped away every strategy of performing for God and invited him simply to receive God’s loving presence. During this rich conversation, Bryan and Strahan discuss the “occupational hazard” pastors face of being adjacent to God rather than with God, as well as the necessity of wonder and curiosity to contemplative spirituality. Strahan also offers a practical doorway into beholding God through “un-noising” our exterior and interior lives.

Strahan Coleman is an award-winning musician, poet, writer, and spiritual director. After a decade recording and touring as a folk artist, he founded Commoners Communion in 2017, a ministry that offers spiritual retreats and prayer resources. He is the author of two books as well as three volumes of poetic prayers. He lives in New Zealand with his wife Katie and their three sons.

To apply to the Pastor Formation Cohort, go to practicingtheway.org/pastor/cohorts/pfc. To find more resources and experiences tailored just for you—the pastor—visit practicingtheway.org/pastor.

John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice. You can join John Mark in person for the Into the Quiet Experience, coming to a city near you between now and November 12. Purchase your ticket at intothequietexperience.com.

This podcast and its episodes are free, thanks to the generosity of The Circle and other givers. You can learn more about The Circle or contribute toward future resources like this podcast at practicingtheway.org/generous.

Mentioned in this conversation:

• Brennan Manning
• Thomas H. Green
• Dr. Todd Hall