I just finished the book I spoke about in my last post, Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith. This is about the 6th time I have read this book and each time I highlight something new and make new notes in the margins. If you want a book that’s not about theology but rather about living this is your book. It is about breaking the rules and living by the spirit of the law rather than by the letter of the law. It is about being "reckless" in your faith – reckless in such a way that your faith shines through in helping and serving people rather than through dogma and rules. It is about being amazed and blown away by the love and grace of God. Dangerous Wonder shatters the myth that you MUST "color inside the lines" and shows how God encourages and welcomes "outside-the-lines coloring". This book slapped me in the face with the reality that following Jesus is fun, wild and dangerous; and the only way to grasp that reality is by re-claiming our "childlike faith".
"Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)
As I was reading I jotted down some quotes, from the book, that really struck me and I would like to share a couple of them with you. I am curious how they strike you:
"Predictability and faith cannot coexist…take surprise out of faith and all that is left is dry and dead religion. Take away mystery from the Gospel and all that is left is frozen and petrified dogma. Lose your awe of God and you are left with an impotent deity." (pg.28)
"Could it be that one of the significant problems in the church is noise? Modern faith might be undermined more by activity and noise than by immorality and lack of commitment. Maybe we have become so active and noisy that we have drowned out the thin silence of God." (pg.81)
Right now I am thinking I need to be a little more "childlike" in my faith. I need to slow down and focus on listening to the still, small voice of God (the thin silence)…
-edh-
The Heart of a Pastor 
One immediate comment comes to mind: I am always glad when there is enough time for silent prayer in church. There are at least two times for this, one, when we are praying for others, and, very importantly for me, during the confession. I’ve been in worship when the pastor doesn’t let the time for the silent confession go long enough, or in fact, skips it. I think a long “enough” silence gets me thinking better, hence, I’m more likely to really have a confession.
I’ve never seen/heard this, but it might be possible for the pastor to have a concluding thought at the end of the service that warrants silent prayer/reflection. Then give us a time of silence to follow through.
PS — I am with you on the silent prayer in worship. I feel that is very important and that is why I allow time during confession and the prayers for silent prayer. Every once in a while, for the prayers, I will simply say a word or phrase and then allow silence for people to fill in there own prayer (usually it is silent prayer, but one time at the small country church I cover, a person offered a prayer out loud).
Sometimes I wonder, though, if I allow enough time for silent prayer. I think I do — but now I am going to be more conscience of this on Sunday.
As for the reflection at the end of the service…I haven’t heard of that either, but it is worth some consideration.
Thanks for the comments.