The Discipline of Journaling

For many years, before my third and final retirement, I have been helped in my work by administrative assistants (all of them gifts from God!). One such assistant I met while supervising a seminary course in which she was a student. Kristen Daley Mosier eventually worked with me part time while continuing her studies, graduating, then entering a doctoral program in the Chicago area.

 

As part of her studies, she chose to do a paper on “The Discipline of Journaling for Theological Reflection: taking time to journal after conversations, work days and readings.”

 

I invite you to consider for yourself what she finds to be the benefits of journaling.

 

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JOURNALING REGULARLY

I chose this discipline because writing is an important way for me to process through information and general input that happens on any given day. By intentionally writing regularly, ideas and thoughts that emerge in response to articles, news, conversations and the like will not get lost or forgotten. Where initial responses tend to include more emotions and gut-level reactions, I find it helpful to capture them, then keep writing through the situation to get to the next levels of emotions, thoughts and questions.

 

Writing helps me get to the deeper questions and concerns.

 

I also feel called to write, though in the past I have not always paid much attention to the discipline. I felt now was the best time to take it (and myself in relation to writing) seriously. When I think about writing, I include a variety of genres, as different types can get at different aspects of a situation.

 

JOURNALING MORE

I can think better when I take time to write. I’m calmer when I take time to write. I simply need to write more.

 

What seems truly remarkable, in a ‘God-set-me-up sort of way,’ is that my supervisor, Ward Tanneberg, is a published author, including novels. So, not only does he encourage me in the discipline, but also looks for ways my writing may benefit the organization. I look forward to developing ideas that come out in my journals for sharing on my own blog, perhaps leading to articles for the organization.

 

JOURNALING AND RELATIONSHIPS

We know, from the doctrine of the imago Dei, that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God, and (according to Karl Barth) one aspect of God’s image has to do with relationships. As an introvert, I find relationships to be both deeply sacred and highly problematic (and everything in between), but seldom indifferent.

 

Through the discipline and craft of writing I’m able to employ symbol and creative license to work through questions about how I relate to God and to others. Even the entry level of journaling allows me to wrestle with questions about interactions, personality differences and tensions, asking God for a different perspective.

 

JOURNALING BECOMES VOICE

Especially for theological reflection, writing is an essential conduit for imagination, allowing me to play with words and meaning. As such, I will constantly be asking questions of the process and of myself. It is a continuous spiral of development, movement, listening and refinement. What sounds edgy now may, in twenty years, merely be immature. The fundamental question will always be, “Where do I need to go next?”

 

I am asking the question of how to recognize one’s voice, how to let it have free reign at any given time. Style limits or liberates what a writer says, not just how it’s said. Considering the genre of theological reflection, there seems to be a fair bit of freedom and openness, depending upon the audience. It will be interesting to see what audiences require of works of theological reflection in the coming years.

 

Rather than thinking of every situation and every individual as a potential tidbit for a story, I prefer to think of how elements that make up story and narrative can inform how we perceive or approach relationships, particularly those within the church.

 

JOURNALING PROVIDES SPACE

Space to explore notions and questions around the theology of aging, ministry approaches for starting cross-generational conversations, how to communicate the importance of 50+ generations in the life of the church to younger leadership, what it means to leave a spiritual legacy, to teach grandchildren and great-grandchildren the grammar of faith, and other large conversation topics.

 

Journaling is a practice I can teach to others. Journaling is one space for thinking theologically that will be essential throughout the rest of my life.

 

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If journaling is an important part of your life, written or recorded, I would be delighted to hear from you. And may these thoughts expressed by my “once-upon-a-time” young student, administrative assistant, and always good friend, encourage you in your own discipline of journaling.

 

It has in mine.

 

 

Ward Tanneberg is an author, speaker, and leader addressing the significant moments of life through his Perspective blog. Ward is available for speaking engagements and has multiple books for sale which you can find through this site. To learn more about booking Ward as a key retreat or conference speaker, email wardtann@me.com or click here.