Season 20: Episode 4 | The Pain and the Promise of Communion

We’re back! This season we’re focusing on worship, particularly worship that is transformative. Our season long guest is Rory Noland and we will be working with his book, Transforming Worship: Planning and Leading Sunday Services as If Spiritual Formation Mattered. In addition to Ruth and Rory, we will also be bringing other guests into the conversations about worship with spiritual formation at its core. This season is for all who worship, not just pastors and leaders who plan the weekly services!

In today’s episode Ruth and Rory are joined by Aaron Damiani, an Anglican pastor, to discuss the worship practice of Communion. Ruth and Rory share about their own painful experiences trying to celebrate the eucharist across denominations in the early days of Transforming Community and the three talk about how to wade into the places of tension the Lord’s table can hold. They also tackle why the eucharist is an important part of transforming worship and how to make communion transformative if it’s become a rote practice.

Aaron Damiani serves as the Rector (Lead Pastor) of Immanuel Anglican Church in Chicago and is the author of The Good of Giving Up: Discovering the Freedom of Lent (Moody, 2017) and Earth Filled With Heaven: Finding Life in Liturgy, Sacraments, and other Ancient Practices of the Church (Moody, 2022). Aaron writes and speaks regularly about spiritual formation, leadership and recovering the gifts of the ancient church for today's challenges. Aaron and his wife Laura live with their four kids in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood.

Rory Noland is the director of Heart of the Artist Ministries, an organization dedicated to serving artists in the church. He mentors worship leaders, speaks at churches and conferences, leads retreats for artists, and consults with churches in the areas of worship and the arts. Rory is also a trained spiritual director, a published songwriter and has authored five books, including the best-seller, The Heart of the Artist: A Character-Building Guide For You and Your Ministry Team. Rory earned a Doctoral Degree from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. He was part of TC2 and led worship for the The Transforming Center for fifteen years.

We are now accepting applications for Transforming Community 20! Use the code Podcast20 to receive $50 off your application fee. Learn more and apply HERE.

Mentioned in the episode:

Transforming Worship: Planning and Leading Sunday Services as If Spiritual Formation Mattered by Rory Noland

All music in this episode is featured on the Transforming Resource, The Lord is In Our Midst CD

Earth Filled With Heaven: Finding Life in Liturgy, Sacraments, and other Ancient Practices of the Church  by Aaron Damiani

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Springs of Living Water from Music in Solitude

Support the podcast! This season, patrons will receive bonus conversations, extra content and guided practices relating to Rory’s book.  Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!  

The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders.  Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self!