Finding Freedom in Constraint

Reimagining Spiritual Disciplines as a Communal Way of Life

By: Jared Patrick Boyd, Todd Hunter - foreword

Narrated by: Jared Patrick Boyd, Todd Hunter

The constraints of the spiritual life, practiced in community, are what set us free. Practicing spiritual disciplines can seem difficult, especially when we undertake them as isolated individuals. But we were never meant to practice them alone.

Jared Patrick Boyd reveals how the constraints practiced in Christian community shape us into the way of Christ. He re-anchors the practices of constraint within the ascetic tradition of monasticism, religious orders, and the early church fathers. Boyd writes, "The constraints of a rule of life are what make life together, lived for one another, possible. A rule of life is not meant to be primarily personal, but communal. It's not primarily meant to guide my life. It is meant to describe our way of life together." Constraint is the practice of learning to pay deeper attention to the things in our inner world that prevent us from progressing in the school of love.

Discover a deep conversation on freedom and constraint with six core practices of constraint that can form in us a greater freedom to be and become people who love as God loves. Enter into this vision with your local community (in small groups, church leadership teams, or families), and learn to make greater room to experience the love of God.

©2023 Jared Patrick Boyd (P)2023 eChristian

finding freedom in constraint

Finding Freedom in Constraint has brought encouragement to the weariness of pursuing spiritual disciplines on my own. As someone who often resists discipline, hearing about practicing spiritual disciplines in community was attractive and encouraging to me, as someone who is deeply driven by relationships. Something clicked for me when thinking of spiritual disciplines as a way towards humility rather than to better myself.

As a (very) new mom, seeing the church as a womb brought up emotions in me and a tenderness towards the church, and how I see my purpose as a pastor and what I am meant to cultivate. I feel an even greater affection towards the church and those I am in community with and serve. I think of the great mystery and nurture that happens in a womb and feel incredibly grateful to be a part of something so beautiful within my local church.

I also appreciate the focus on formational healing, which I believe each of us can benefit from within the church-either as leaders or as members. There is so much freedom within formational healing and God does great work in loving us through our painful, tender, human experiences. As a young leader in the church, the focus on formational healing is a huge encouragement to me that the church is moving in a healthy direction spiritually, emotionally and mentally.

This, and so much more, made an impact on me in Jared’s book. Grateful for this tool.