I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is
the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure
of all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:17-19
In the first century Jesus of Nazareth inspired a
movement. A community of people whose lives were
centered on Jesus Christ and committed to living the
way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial, and
redemptive love. Before they were called “church” or
“Christian,” this Jesus Movement was simply called
“the way.”
But how can we together grow more deeply with
Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, so we can bear
witness to his way of love in and for the world?
The deep roots of our Christian tradition may offer
just such a path. For centuries, monastic communi ties
have shaped their lives around rhythms and disciplines
for following Jesus together. Such a pattern
is known as a “Rule of Life.” The framework you now
hold – The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Cen tered
Life – outlines a Rule for the Jesus Movement.
It is designed to be spare and spacious, so that
individuals, ministry groups, congregations, and
networks can flesh it out in unique ways and build a
church-wide treasure trove of stories and resources.
There is no specific order
you need to follow. If you
already keep a Rule or
spiritual disciplines, you might reflect and discover
how that path intersects with this one. By entering
into reflection, discernment and commitment around
the practices of Turn – Learn – Pray – Worship – Bless
– Go – Rest, I pray we will grow as communities following
the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus. His
way has the power to change each of our lives and to
change this world.
Your brother in the Way of Jesus,
+Michael
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Primate and
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
