Winter 2008–2009
Solemn Assemblies

We use the phrase “ solemn assembly” because the prophet Joel uses it in association with spiritual renewal. A solemn assembly is a special gathering of God’s people to confess their sin and need of Christ’s grace in order that they might receive power from on high to be God’s faithful people in ministry to the world. A solemn assembly is like clearing a space within and among us by emptying ourselves of ourselves and our own selfish ends. This is done through lament and confession of sin. Then out of our emptiness we confess our need for divine mercy and cry out to God to be filled anew with Christ’s Spirit for service to the world.

This issue of Hungryhearts is published in response to an overture from the 218th General Assembly calling the denomination to “Seek God for Spiritual Renewal of the Church.”

Download the Winter 2008 issue of Hungryhearts , the Quarterly Journal of Reformed Spirituality.

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