Ken GuentherIn the ever-shifting landscape of cross-cultural ministry, sustaining a vibrant and resilient spiritual life is both a personal necessity and a communal calling. As missionaries, we often find ourselves navigating complex cultural dynamics, high demands, and spiritual fatigue. In this context, John Mark Comer’s book, Practicing the Way offers a timely and transformative vision of discipleship—not as a set of beliefs, but as a way of life modeled after Jesus. One of the book’s most practical and powerful tools is the concept of a Rule of Life. It provides a flexible framework for organizing our daily rhythms around abiding in Christ. In this post, we’ll explore a synopsis of Comer’s book and highlight its relevance for missionary teams. I will share some additional resources to help your team craft a shared Rule of Life that fosters unity, spiritual depth, and long-term fruitfulness.
Book Synopsis
Discipleship as Apprenticeship
Practicing the Way is a compelling call to rediscover the essence of Christian discipleship—not as a set of beliefs, but as a transformative lifestyle modeled after Jesus. Comer frames discipleship as apprenticeship, where the goal is to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do what He did. He challenges the modern Western notion of Christianity as a passive identity. Instead, he invites readers into an intentional, embodied way of life that mirrors the practices and rhythms of Jesus. This includes spiritual disciplines like prayer, Sabbath, simplicity, and community. All are aimed at spiritual formation and alignment with the Kingdom of God.
Living out the Gospel
For cross-cultural missionaries, Comer’s message is especially relevant. His emphasis on living out the gospel through daily practices rather than merely preaching it aligns with our value on incarnational ministry. In this approach, the missionary’s life becomes a visible testimony of Christ. The book’s focus on transformation through practice rather than information is crucial. This is especially important in contexts where Western theological frameworks may not translate well, but lived faith does. Comer’s approach encourages missionaries to model discipleship in culturally adaptable ways. He emphasizes presence, humility, and relational depth over programmatic strategies.
Sustaining Spiritual Health
Moreover, Practicing the Way offers a framework for sustainable spiritual health in the often demanding and isolating work of missions. By advocating for a “Rule of Life,” Comer provides practical tools for maintaining spiritual vitality and emotional resilience. This is particularly valuable for missionaries navigating cultural stress, spiritual warfare, and burnout. His call to slow down, abide in Christ, and live counter-culturally is not only a personal invitation. It is a missional strategy that fosters authentic witness and long-term fruitfulness in diverse cultural settings.
Please note that John Mark Comer has a website devoted to explaining and applying the concepts in the book. The website provides a self-assessment tool to help you reflect on your inner life with God and how you are becoming like Jesus. You will also find a series of video-based training sessions on the many of the different spiritual practices. Finally the site includes a Rule of Life Builder (see below).
A Rule of Life
Comer defines a Rule of Life in the following way:
A Rule of Life is a schedule and set of practices and relational rhythms that create space for us to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did, as we live in alignment with our deepest desires. It’s a way of intentionally organizing our lives around what matters most: God.
Comer, John Mark. Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. (p. 178). PRH Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.
A Rule of Life is an intentional, flexible structure for organizing daily and communal rhythms around spiritual formation. Comer presents it not as a rigid checklist, but as a life-giving framework. It helps individuals and communities stay rooted in Christ amid the pressures of ministry. For teams serving cross-culturally, crafting a shared Rule of Life can cultivate unity, resilience, and clarity of purpose. The Rule of Life can include rhythms of prayer, rest, hospitality, study, and service. These can be adapted to the cultural context and team dynamics. This shared structure can serve as both a spiritual anchor and a practical guide for living missionally with integrity and joy.
Resources for Developing a Rule of Life
Here are a few excellent resources that can support your missionary team or community in developing a shared Rule of Life, complementing the insights from Practicing the Way:
- John Mark Comer & Practicing the Way Team: Rule of Life Builder — This interactive online tool helps individuals and communities craft a personalized Rule of Life based on the teachings in Practicing the Way. It guides users through categories like prayer, rest, relationships, and work, offering prompts and examples along the way. It’s user-friendly, visually engaging, and ideal for both individuals and teams looking to build a shared rhythm of life rooted in spiritual practices.
- Renovaré: How to Create a Rule of Life Based on the Six Streams – This article by Chris Webb offers a practical and balanced approach to crafting a life-giving Rule of Life. It draws from Richard Foster’s Streams of Living Water, emphasizing six spiritual traditions (contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, evangelical, and incarnational) as a holistic foundation.
- SSJE’s Growing a Rule of Life – Developed by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, this is a rich, interactive series designed for both individuals and small groups. It includes videos, workbooks, and facilitator guides. These help communities explore their relationships with God, self, others, and creation. It’s especially useful for teams looking to grow together in spiritual rhythm and intentionality
A Shared Rule of Life
I have recently heard of missionary teams who have been discussing what kind of a “rule of life” they want to adopt. As we seek to follow Jesus more closely in the context of cross-cultural mission, the invitation to craft a shared Rule of Life offers both structure and freedom. It anchors us in Christ while allowing for contextual flexibility. Practicing the Way reminds us that discipleship is not just something we teach. It’s something we live together. By intentionally shaping our communal rhythms around spiritual practices, we create space for deeper formation, mutual support, and sustainable ministry. Whether you’re just beginning to explore this idea or looking to refine an existing team rhythm, the resources shared here can help. They can guide your journey toward a more rooted and resilient life in Christ.
