Although the sacramental Rite of Reconciliation is included in many Anglican prayer books, nothing has been written expressly Anglicans since the 1980s that focuses on the pastoral skills required for this ministry. This book combines and passes on the teaching, coaching, skill development, and accumulated pastoral wisdom that has not been widely accessible or well integrated into clergy training. Realistic transcripts and "verbatims" of sample confessions and counseling sessions involving a wide range of people makes this a unique ministry resource for most seminaries and theological colleges, plus clergy in general-including Lutheran pastors who use the rite of "Individual Confession and Absolution" in the Lutheran Book of Worship."

An introduction to the practice of prayer with Scripture, this book includes a number of themes for prayer with suggested passages for meditation. Martin Smith believes that prayer is not an act we perform, but rather is a response to God s reaching out to us. Through scriptural passages this book shows how the Bible can guide our prayer response and lead us from conversational prayer to meditative, receptive prayer with Scripture. This book is ideal for an ongoing Bible, prayer, or discernment group.

A Lenten devotional by a celebrated author, well known in the United States and Great BritainWhen is love not mixed up with something else? Love and the desire to possess, love and the need to control, love and the need to be needed, love and the lust to absorb, love and condescension, love and narcissism. In this short book of meditations on the Passion according to Saint John, Martin L. Smith shows how, in the Christian mystery, love itself must be crucified and die to be reborn as the grace of communion...as love set free. Love Set Free has strong recognition in Episcopal/Anglican circles as a series of meditations designed for use as lectio and suitable for Lent or Holy Week.

After 28 years in the religious life, Martin L. Smith left the monastic path. '...I took my leave of it for good and found myself for the first time facing the challenge of finding my own way. No one was shaping my life for me: now to find my own bearings, in a new life and a new city, with possibilities yet unknown ...' The reflections and musings in Compass and Stars are designed to help readers find their bearings in the life of the spirit today. With humour and pastoral sensitivity Martin L. Smith reveals the staleness and oppressive nature of many of our spiritual practices at a time when, more than ever, we need to stand back and let the fresh winds of the Spirit blow in our lives. From the spirituality of shopping to social justice, vocational discernment and channel surfing, the reflections in this book are designed to delight and make us think.

Spiritually hungry readers who want to breakthrough to a deeper experience of prayer and want practical help for Lent need look no further than to Martin Smith's "A Season for the Spirit. " Originally commissioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1991, "A Season for the Spirit "provides forty daily meditations for Lent, leading us on a journey of discovery in which we find that Christ, through the Spirit, embraces every aspect of our humanity. Each meditation concludes with a prayer and passage of scripture or quotation for further reflection and study. While it aims to assist a daily practice of personal prayer, it is also widely used by groups who pledge to meet regularly so that members can share their thoughts, reactions, and spiritual experiences.

Smith gives the theological and spiritual background of the sacrament of reconciliation in the Book of Common Prayer, and offers practical suggestions for the practice of hearing and making a confession.