Medieval monks didn’t know the frantic pace of modern life—but they did know the steep curves and dark corners of the human heart. They knew there was nothing accidental about Christian discipleship.

A monastic rule-of-life practice does not solve busyness. But it can teach us to resist distraction, set intention, and practice faithfulness in the given contexts of our everyday lives.

Attend a half-day virtual workshop to begin learning how to pattern your life in faithful response to God’s voice.

What can monks teach us about time? Lots.

  • “Some things grow automatically, like weeds and chaos. Almost everything else thrives as a result of feeding, care, and intentionality. That’s where a Rule of Life comes in."

    Darryl Dash, Eight Habits for Growth

  • “A rule of life seeks to respond to two questions: Who do I want to be? How do I want to live?”

    Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms

  • “Inwardly we are adrift. It is not a more rigorous schedule that we need. Rather, we need to establish our priorities.

    Margaret Guenther, At Home in the World

  • “Can we, like those in a cloister, shape our days around work and prayer, making regular contact with God’s kingdom along the way?”

    Mike Cosper, Recapturing the Wonder

A rule of life is a practice of intentional faithfulness for the busy, the exhausted, the distracted, and the uncertain.

Upcoming Virtual Intensives

  • Jan. 5, 2024

    Friday, 11:00-3PM, EST

    This workshop includes:

    3 interactive sessions

    A 5-step process for writing and keeping a rule of life

    A comprehensive workbook

    Recommended readings list

    Cost: $55 + purchase of In Good Time

    Group pricing available upon request

  • Jan. 6, 2024

    Saturday, 9:00AM-1PM, EST

    This workshop includes:

    3 interactive sessions

    A 5-step process for writing and keeping a rule of life

    A comprehensive workbook

    Recommended readings list

    Cost: $55 + purchase of In Good Time

    Group pricing available upon request

  • March 1, 2024

    Friday, 11:00-3PM, EST

    This workshop includes:

    3 interactive sessions

    A 5-step process for writing and keeping a rule of life

    A comprehensive workbook

    Recommended readings list

    Cost: $55 + purchase of In Good Time

    Group pricing available upon request

FAQs

  • You won’t be alone! This practice isn’t meant to be overly technical. You will learn to craft a document that outlines important practices of faithfulness for your season of your life. It’s a working document to regularly revisit and revise.

  • First, all participants are required to purchase and begin reading Jen’s most recent book, In Good Time. A week before the workshop date, you’ll also receive a PDF workbook with other (brief) pre-reading. Most importantly, you’re invited to pray. A rule of life practice requires prayerful discernment, so begin praying now that God grants you the desire to pattern your life in faithful response to his voice.

  • This intensive—(deliberately small)— workshop has been divided into three interactive sessions, each about an hour long. These sessions will include live teaching from Jen, discussion, and Q&A. Participants will have a minimum 20-minute break before the 2nd and 3rd sessions. Max registration is 25.

  • Participants will learn the theological and biblical basis for writing and keeping a rule of life. You will be invited to engage a 5-step process for formulating your own rule, understanding its relevance as a spiritual practice today. It’s unlikely you will complete a first draft, but after the workshop, you will have all the necessary tools for finishing the work on your own.

  • Jen spent her early career as a teacher and is the author of five books. In her work as a writer and speaker, she has focused on themes of spiritual formation, desire, place-making, paradox and the role of habit in Christian discipleship. Her most recent book, In Good Time, underscores the need for counter-formation in the discipleship of time, and she offers these workshops to contribute to that practical learning.

  • This is a LIVE, interactive workshop, and sessions will be kept deliberately small to accommodate a classroom learning environment. Participants will receive a PDF workbook that is unavailable for sale to non-participants.

  • Participants are welcome to email Jen (jen@jenpollockmichel.com) if they wish to rebook the date of their workshop. For administrative purposes, refunds cannot be granted.

  • Absolutely! Jen will consider both in-person and virtual events for churches and organizations. Pricing is available upon request. Contact Jen (jen@jenpollockmichel.com).