Questions & Answers

What is Fellowship of the Burning Heart? 

It is a dispersed community of Jesus’ friends who long for deeper intimacy with the Triune God. 

Fellowship of the Burning Heart’s primary purpose is to help members grow as disciples of Jesus — for their transformation, the world’s good, and God’s everlasting glory. 

What does it mean to be a member? What is the commitment?

Fellowship of the Burning Heart is a tangible way to seek deeper intimacy and transformation in Jesus by making a renewable one-year commitment to: 

• the Renovaré Covenant
• Fellowship of the Burning Heart values
• meet monthly in a Listening Group

What is the Renovaré Covenant? 

In utter dependence upon Jesus Christ as my ever-living Savior, Teacher, Lord, and Friend, I will seek continual renewal through spiritual exercises, spiritual gifts, and acts of service.

What are the Fellowship of the Burning Heart values?

1. We value a high Christology regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ. 
2. We value Scripture as a sure guide for growth into Christlikeness. 
3. We value worship and prayer as central in our life.
4. We value people as God’s image bearers. In our interactions we resist the temptation to manage impressions, leverage relationships, and fix one another.
5. We value community as vital to our transformation into Christlikeness. We offer availability and vulnerability as we honor each person’s unique journey with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
6. We value listening. As a community we seek to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and one another. This facilitates a welcoming and confidential culture where it is safe to know and be known.
7. We value honesty and openness, seeking to love with wise boundaries and discern without judgement. 
8. We value humility and the freedom it brings, drawing us into a life of gratitude, joy, laughter, creativity, and lightheartedness.
9. We value loving respect. We are for one another. 
   We give encouragement as often as possible.
   We share advice once in a great while.
   We bring correction only when absolutely necessary.
   We condemn never.
10. We value hospitality of heart, seeking to learn from our differences. 
11. We value stability. We live into this practice by committing to the Renovaré Covenant, these Values, and our monthly Listening Group.
12. We value various local expressions of spiritual formation efforts—relationships, families, small groups, and churches. Spiritual formation always has a local address.

Practically, what does it mean to commit to the Renovaré Covenant and Fellowship of the Burning Heart Values?

A vital part of belonging to Fellowship of the Burning Heart is living into the Renovaré Covenant. One specific way we do this is by choosing a word of intention and one or two spiritual practices to engage with for the year. 

Fellowship of the Burning Heart Core Values serve as a mutual guide for how we intend to be with one another.

What is a Listening Group?

It is a unique small group to help facilitate listening to God, to others, and to our own hearts. 

For one year, the same four to six members commit to meet monthly for two hours (online or in-person). While each group has a Coordinator who will help guide the process, the structure is designed for members to take turns facilitating (don’t worry, it’s easy).

How is a Listening Group distinct from other small groups?

There are a variety of helpful small groups for Christians — Bible studies, prayer groups, book clubs, spiritual formation groups, etc. We celebrate them all. 

A Fellowship of the Burning Heart Listening Group is unique in its structure. It intentionally fosters space to: 

• hold prayerful silence
• listen without fixing or giving advice
• share with others on a similar journey what you and God are working on together
• grow in your capacity to hear God

Is Fellowship of the Burning Heart a good fit for me?

Burning Heart is uniquely designed for followers of Jesus who are longing for a conversational relationship with God and are willing to be vulnerable with others. Each of us has different needs and seasons, and this may or may not fit where you are right now. Below are some statements to help you discern.

Are you drawn to experience and commit to a group where you…

• …sit with others in extended times of prayerful silence
• …listen without interrupting, asking questions, or giving advice
• …have grace for differing viewpoints
• …resist the temptation to control or change others
• …choose and engage with specific spiritual practices
• …share honestly about your journey with God
• …receive prayer and pray aloud for others
• …listen for God’s voice and, when appropriate, share what you sense God is saying
• …focus on first things — love of God and love of neighbor

If you respond to these with a heartfelt ​“Yes!” or ​“I’m willing!”, Fellowship of the Burning Heart may be a good fit for you.

What are the benefits of becoming a member? 

• A way to intentionally commit alongside others to grow spiritually 
• Thoughtful placement in a Listening Group (which has a Coordinator to help guide the process)
• A welcome kit with a custom leather journal and Fellowship of the Burning Heart booklets
• Training videos, webinars, and other member-specific online resources
• Access to Renovaré Burning Heart retreats 
• The opportunity to journey long-term with the same people. (While joining starts with a one-year commitment, many members choose to recommit for years to come.)

Is there a fee to join? What does the fee cover?

There is a fee of $100 due upon acceptance, which helps cover administrative and materials costs. ($130 for folks living outside the U.S. due to international postage costs).

How long does my membership last? 

Membership is good for as long as Fellowship of the Burning Heart exists, offering you the potential for a long-term community. 

Your membership begins with a one-year commitment to meet monthly in a Listening Group. Each year you’ll have the opportunity to decide to recommit to the same Listening Group, take a break, apply to another Listening Group, or apply to become a Coordinator and start your own group. 

Are there in-person gatherings besides the Listening Group? 

We hold Burning Heart Coordinator Training Retreats for those interested in moving into a Coordinator role. 

What if there are no available groups in my area?

We are dependent upon trained Coordinators to start new groups. You are welcome to add your name and contact information to our waitlist. However, if you would like to learn more about how to become a Coordinator so you can start a group, please reach out to us at [email protected]. 

What is the application process?

If there is an available group below that you would like to apply for, click on the Apply button for that group and fill out an application. Please apply only if the location and meeting time are appropriate. After we receive your application, you’ll be contacted by the Coordinator who will meet with you to discern if Fellowship of the Burning Heart is a good fit for you in this season. Once all members have been approved, you will receive a link to finalize your registration. At that point you will receive your Burning Heart journal and materials in the mail. 

Note: The application will take a little time to complete. It includes these questions:

• What attracted you to Fellowship of the Burning Heart?
  
• Where have you been sensing God’s invitation in your spiritual journey recently?
• What does a healthy small group participant look like?
  

What if I have another question?

Email us at [email protected].

To Apply, Choose A Group That Has Space Available. 

If we receive more applications than there is space available, we will put you on a waitlist for that group. As Coordinators hold discernment conversations with applicants, it is possible that space could become available.