Current Conferences
“Liturgy of the Hours — An Old Practice for the New Church”
In a time when Christians and the church are yearning to renew their spiritual vitality, and deepen their faith, Paul Lang recovers for the church the ancient but timeless liturgy of the hours. The Liturgy of the Hours is a long-practiced discipline of the faith which countless saints have used to gently, patiently, and persistently reshape their lives before God. This ancient Christian discipline is experiencing a revival of practice among Christians throughout the world. This course will couple instruction about the Liturgy of the Hours with the daily immersion of praying the offices of Vigils, Lauds, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline. You will learn about the biblical roots and historical development of the Liturgy of the Hours, how to sing the psalms, about the theological themes and emphases associated with each office, and be given many ideas about how to take this practice home with you for personal use as well as how to introduce it in your own church.
This program is offered as part of the Certificate in Spiritual Formation Program at Columbia Theological Seminary and serves as course credit.
Retreat Leaders
Paul and Sarah Lang both hold undergraduate degrees in music from Furman University where they met in the 1980s. Sarah went on to earn a Masters in Music Education/Music Therapy from East Carolina University as well as Certification in Suzuki Violin Pedagogy. Paul continued his studies at Columbia Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1993, and a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in Christian Spiritual Formation in 2003. Paul has served as Pastor of Peace Presbyterian Church in Winterville, NC, since 1995. He recently coauthored a book with Ben Johnson – A Way in the Desert, Upper Rooms Publishing, due out next year. Paul contributed the chapter on making a monastic retreat. In 2007, Paul helped form the Order of Presbyterian Benedictines.
Since 2005, Paul and Sarah have been writing liturgy and composing music for a contemporary setting of the Liturgy of the Hours which they have used with congregations on retreat, at presbytery training events, in a variety of retreat settings, and in coordination with Life-Long Learning courses at CTS. To hear some of their music, visit www.paulhlang.com and follow the link to the Daily Offices.
Program Fee
$390 (Housing & meals not included)
Registration Information
Conference begins Thursday, October 21, with registration 3:30-5:00 PM, Assembly Inn Lobby. Conference ends Sunday, October 24, following closing worship.
This program is offered as part of the Certificate in Spiritual Formation Program at Columbia Theological Seminary and serves as course credit. Auditors are welcome, but must also register through Columbia Seminary. For additional information and to register for the retreat, visit the program’s web site at Columbia Theological Seminary or call the registrar at 404.687.4587.
- Download registration flyer with housing reservation form
- If you would like a conference flyer mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org.
Child care is not available for this program.
Cost for Housing & Meals
Rates are per person and include all room and meal charges for the entire conference (Thursday supper-Sunday lunch). No adjustments to package will be made except for extended stay.
Assembly Inn
- Single, Private Bath: $352.50
- Single, Connecting Bath: $295.50
- Double, Private Bath: $235.50 per person
- Double, Connecting Bath: $220.50 per person
Cancellation refunds for housing will be awarded in the following ways:
Full refund if notice of cancellation is received on or before September 9; Full refund less $40 if notice of cancellation is received after September 9, but before October 14; No refunds will be given after October 14; All requests for refunds must be in writing and received by Montreat Conference Center via email, fax, or U.S. mail.
- Reserve housing online in Assembly Inn
- Download housing reservation form
- Learn more about these and other housing options available in Montreat…
- Questions about reserving housing? Email susana[at]montreat.org or call 800.572.2257, ext. 339.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations subject to policies of the Spiritual Formation Program at Columbia Theological Seminary. Accommodations cancellations for those staying in conference center housing subject to the policies of Montreat Conference Center.
Co-sponsored by Columbia Theological Seminary’s Spiritual Formation Program and Montreat Conference Center’s Evelyn Green Endowment for Christian Discipleship.