A Rule of Life can be a valuable aid to shaping and structuring the life of Christians, enabling us to walk more closely with Christ.  Our Diocesan prayer diary over Christmas (on 29 December) asked for prayers to disseminate and embed a Diocesan Rule of Life during 2020.   

What is a Rule of Life?

The concept was launched in a Bishops’ Ad Clerum to clergy in Lent 2019; and the proposed Rule itself was introduced to Diocesan Synod in Cologne in June 2019 by our Honorary Director of Lay Discipleship, Dr Clare Amos. 

In an introductory piece, Clare writes:

The concept of a Rule of Life is a tried and tested Christian practice. Although it has its roots in the monastic life, many Christians of all traditions, (including Anglicans) have found that adopting a simple ‘rule’ can be a valuable aid towards shaping and structuring their lives, enabling us to walk more closely with Christ. In offering this pattern for a rule of life to the people of the Diocese in Europe, and in encouraging individuals and chaplaincies to adopt it, we hope to help people live out more fully our Christian discipleship and to mark ourselves intentionally as members of communities desiring to be faithful to Christ through this particular Anglican Christian way.

In its simplest form the Diocesan Rule of Life encourages us, both as individuals and as worshipping communities, to explore these four essential elements of Christian living:

·       Knowing God

·       Growing in Christ

·       Building Community

·       Living Beyond Ourselves

You can find Clare’s full note which explains how these core principles emerged, and links them to the foundational biblical story of the journey to Emmaus here.

Our Diocesan Rule of Life resources include:

• A Rule of Life graphic

• A Rule of Life Prayer card

This two-sided design is available either to download and print, or you can order cards from the Diocese - over 1500 prayer cards were distributed across the Diocese in 2019.

If you should like to order (more) cards for your chaplaincy:

Please email  communications@europe.anglican.org with “Rule of Life prayer cards order” in the subject line.  Tell us how many cards you would like, with a delivery name, and address with email/mob contact details.