We recently adapted this idea in a dream group that I was leading. It felt suprisingly risky to lead, but the feedback has been wonderful.

The idea is simply to create 45mins (or however long you want to aim at) of silence and space.

The only props were a lit candle, some paper and pens for those who wanted them, and some quotes that we showed on a screen. The quotes included bible passages and some of Henri Nouwen’s writings on silence. During each ten minute period, they were up for just a couple of minutes, followed by eight minutes blank screen and then a prompt (such as “25 minutes left”). So for most of the time, the screen was blank.

A number of people were astonished at the way time seemed to speed up, rather than drag, and felt that it sparked a hunger in them for their own regular space with God.

Most loved it, although a few found it very uncomfortable, although unpacking the reasons for that has been very fruitful.

The The Fresh Expressions Share Guide is now live online and looks like a fantastic resource.