The Transformative Heart of ‘IofC’

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A response to Assad’s question 

by Howard Grace

Pondering Frank Buchman’s pivotal experience
Howard Grace

Assaad Chafteri, IofC International President has spotlighted our search to rekindle the spiritual heart of our fellowship. He has also pondered how in 2028 we might celebrate the 150th anniversary of Frank Buchman’s birth. 

A pivotal step in Buchman’s life journey was his transforming experience in Keswick. In the Summer of 2008, which marked the 100th anniversary of this, I was part of a group of 17 diverse people, led by Mike and Jean Brown, who over three weeks travelled from Keswick to Oxford, to Visby (in Sweden), and finally to Caux. This was to mark steps in Buchman’s spiritual journey and outreach. 

Have recently rediscovered a video I made during that journey. A wonderful memory, but also very relevant to exploring questions about the spiritual heart of IofC which has Christian roots, yet whose fellowship comprises people from a wide variety of religious beliefs and world views. 

The Elders of IofC at the time of our journey raised some questions for us to ponder. The first was: What was at the heart of Buchman’s spiritual experience in Keswick? How can that be expressed and understood authentically for people of diverse religious traditions today, and (perhaps more importantly) equally for the non-religious? 

As a background to what is written next, you the reader might find it of value to first watch the video of the Keswick to Caux journey.

Watch it here

Buchman's transforming experience clearly had real spiritual depth. However, he was already a dedicated Christian minister, so it wasn't about conversion. The focus was on the experience, which he saw from his Christian perspective. Following that, others have had transforming experiences but from other perspectives. For me, as an atheist in 1964, my mini transformation in London was being honest at a meeting of the student body about voting which I had fiddled when president. That costly decision radically changed the direction of my life. Yet I remained a ‘non-believer’. I wouldn't be here today if I'd just thought at that time, “I’ll be honest from now on.” but without taking that very uncomfortable action. Thinking of people like Irene Laure and the inner struggle she went through regarding her hatred of the Germans, her subsequent steps arose from a costly decision.

Traditionally, in IofC, pivotal experiences often get focussed by comparing our lives with moral standards, considered absolutely. Then, taking action which cuts across our self will. For me, honesty was the focal issue. For Irene Laure, addressing her intense anger in relationships was the key, as it was with Buchman. The crossing of self will seems pivotal.