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Journey Inward, Journey Outward
Elizabeth O'Conner's classic Call to Commitment told of the remarkable renewing of the Church of the Saviour in Washington, D.C. This present volume continues the story of the prototype of the Church of the Saviour in Washington, D.C. and its innovative ministries. The author writes of the church's vital balance of engagement with self, God, and others ("journey inward"), and of how it proceeds from this solid base of involvement with the needs of the greater community ("the journey outward").
175 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 29, 2013
Too much religious service occurs without a sense of an inner compelling which occurs as a natural response to a journey inward. When life becomes so externally focused that we are running from the last item on the 'to do' list to the next item on the 'to do' list, we often find ourselves spiritually empty while religiously busy. O'Connor's writing of decades ago calls people of faith to explore a rhythm of life that is more balanced.
January 17, 2020
The structure of the book follows the title: the first three chapters follow the journey inward and the remainder of the book follows the journey outward. I took copious notes for the first three chapters. The rest of the book gave a legitimacy to the initial wisdom offered, but wasn't as engaging.
O'Connor conveys the message that areas God calls us to work in, grow out of what we love to do, not out of a sense of what we ought to do. The church she portrays also demonstrates that what might seem like a small mission can still be an effective mission. She describes how the volunteers run a coffee house, and while that may not seem to be an obvious way to serve God, the customers and the waiters described it as infused with magic.
But now back to the good stuff. "For most of us the days are not filled with events that we label important.' The content and quality of our lives is determined by how we respond to the ordinary, and this depends on whether or not we have taken the time to nourish an inner life. The more pressed we are for time the more essential it is to make recollection a part of our day."
O'Connor conveys the message that areas God calls us to work in, grow out of what we love to do, not out of a sense of what we ought to do. The church she portrays also demonstrates that what might seem like a small mission can still be an effective mission. She describes how the volunteers run a coffee house, and while that may not seem to be an obvious way to serve God, the customers and the waiters described it as infused with magic.
But now back to the good stuff. "For most of us the days are not filled with events that we label important.' The content and quality of our lives is determined by how we respond to the ordinary, and this depends on whether or not we have taken the time to nourish an inner life. The more pressed we are for time the more essential it is to make recollection a part of our day."
March 3, 2021
Fascinating and challenging book — and I appreciate her very honest accounts of the difficulties that the service groups faced, even as they did remarkable good in the community.
January 9, 2022
One of the very best books about balancing our inner and outer lives. I read this 40 years ago and it as powerful now as it was then.
November 7, 2023
Really interesting documentation of the Washington DC church forming social justice groups in the 1960s and the need to balance action with inner and interpersonal development.
February 12, 2014
Incredible insight into the necessity of the inward journey of self-realization and learning to operate from one's true self, in step with God. It then moves to the 'outward journey' which is what it looks like to engage the world around from one's true self, using one's true passions and abilities. Both the inward and outward journey's are a necessary part of our human fulfillment and development. O'Connor also does a wonderful job at capturing the reality of what it means to work alongside others and how messy, but necessary it is.
January 29, 2015
The Church of the Saviour started a coffee shop church before it was even cool (mid 1940s)! Elizabeth O'Connor writes with wisdom and candor to paint a realistic picture of a community on mission together. She is not shy to talk about the interpersonal conflict, failures and missteps made along the way, and is a great teacher in that respect for any who want to grow in authentic faith on the vanguard.
May 23, 2009
The story of a church in the 60's and it growth inward by reaching out in the mission field around them.
May 28, 2013
This is the awesome book of living one's faith that love spread throughout an entire community where all are helped and all are one.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews