Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe, participatory, and holy space to foster spiritual growth deepening our love for God, ourselves, neighbors, and all of creation. We are a hub for Christian contemplative prayer, spiritual practice, and living. In communion with others we participate in the Christ mystery through contemplative practice, learning, growing, and doing life together. Through this sacramental tapestry, we and our world are transformed.
Our History
We began as a dream in 2016 to open a center in Lincoln Nebraska dedicated to teaching, promoting, and facilitating contemplative prayer and practice through the Christian contemplative tradition. In late 2016 we began meeting in small groups at J-Tech Construction and holding introductory workshops. In 2017 we moved into 135 North 31st Street and began a full slate of services and activities. In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic paused our in-person services and we began meeting online. What emerge was a vibrant contemplative community that transcended location as we had visitors from across United States and Canada. In 2022 we began a new phase of our journey as moved to out of our physical home and created a new digital home, The Contemplative Cathedral, where we are deepening community, practice, and action. We continue to hold in person events at local prairies and churches while growing non-local community online.
Our Team
Curator of Contemplative Spaces, Pastor, Founder, Board Member At Large. Former Chair of the Board (2016-2019)
Adam Luedtke PhD
Adam has a PhD in Psychology and a Masters of Arts in Transpersonal Studies. As well as certifications in transformational coaching, spiritual direction, a Bachelor of the Arts in Religious Studies, and an ordained Commissioned Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). Adam completed his PhD by researching the spiritual development of contemporary Christian mystics. In addition to psychology, as a scholar Adam has studied religion, early Christianity, Hebrew Studies, transpersonal psychology, qualitative research, personal and spiritual growth, spiritual practice, Christian mysticism, and creative expression. Adam practices centering prayer every day and is a teacher of spiritual practices, Christian mysticism, and Christian contemplation. Since 2016 Adam has been the Director and Pastor of Contemplate Lincoln, in addition to leading retreats for clergy, Christian denominations, churches, and individuals.
Chair of the Board, Group Leader, Teacher
Joselyn Luedtke JD
Joselyn is an attorney and government relations expert in Lincoln, NE. She has studied law, environmental law, non-profit law, and natural resources. Joselyn is on the board of several non-profit boards in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is passionate about nature, policy, and family. Joselyn leads contemplative movement, meditation, and Contemplative Conversation Groups at Contemplate Lincoln.
Pastor and Director of Social Transformation
Rev. Zac Wolfe
Zac is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) tradition since 2012 and has worked with contemporary faith communities and traditional churches. Prior to his ordination, Zac earned his BA from Doane University with dual majors Religious Studies and Philosophy, and a Psychology minor.; earned his MDiv from Columbia Theological Seminary (Atlanta,GA), and completed a year of hospital chaplain residency. Zac is also a certified Coach, Trainer and Speaker, and has earned DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) certificates from Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Zac is passionate about social justice and transformation engagement, particularly through the spiritual lens. He consults with faith communities and businesses, and leads trainings and workshops on the creation of inclusive and just cultures within an organization and in the greater community. He also coaches individuals leading this work or engaging this work in their personal lives.
Our Board
Treasurer
Juliet Andersen
Juliet is a web designer in Lincoln, NE. She holds degrees in chemistry and web design. She is passionate about her puppies, grand kids, gardening, and photography. She loves to be creative.
Chair of the Board, Group Leader, Teacher
Joselyn Luedtke JD
Joselyn is an attorney and government relations expert in Lincoln, NE. She has studied law, environmental law, non-profit law, and natural resources. Joselyn is on the board of several non-profit boards in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is passionate about nature, policy, and family. Joselyn leads contemplative movement, meditation, and Contemplative Conversation Groups at Contemplate Lincoln.
Board Member At Large
Marvin Anderson PhD
Marvin Lee Anderson holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology (2006). He also holds a M.A. in Religious Studies from Mundelein College, Chicago (1980) where he studied Creation Spirituality in Matthew Fox’s first graduate program. Dr. Anderson has been a Fellow at the Center for Renaissance and Reformation Studies at the University of Toronto since 2010, unearthing the influence of late medieval German mysticism on the Radical Reformation. He is an international consultant on congregational ministry and rural communities and has taught rural ministry for numerous theological faculties and seminaries in both Canada and the U.S. Marvin lives with his wife, Gwen Jenkins, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Eckhart Society UK and on the advisory board and faculty for the Deep Ecumenism Institute for Yerusha, an online Jewish Renewal educational program.
Board Member At Large
Steve Blum PhD
Steve Blum, Ph.D. has recently retired from a 40-year career as a Clinical Psychologist in private practice. Additionally, he has taught and consulted at several Universities and Mental Health agencies. Raised in New York, he came to Lincoln to attend Graduate School. He was raised in a Jewish home, attended Hebrew School, and was Bar Mitzvahed at a conservative synagogue. As an adult, he converted to Christianity following a profound conversion experience in 1980. He is a Benedictine Oblate who has served as a Dean in the Benedictine Oblates of Nebraska community affiliated with the Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, South Dakota. He is a trained Spiritual Director. He currently presents online retreats focusing on the Christian Mystics through his affiliation with the St. Benedict Retreat Center in Schuyler, Nebraska. He is married to Kathy and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Curator of Contemplative Spaces, Pastor, Founder, Board Member At Large. Former Chair of the Board (2016-2019)
Adam Luedtke PhD
Adam has a PhD in Psychology and a Masters of Arts in Transpersonal Studies. As well as certifications in transformational coaching, spiritual direction, a Bachelor of the Arts in Religious Studies, and an ordained Commissioned Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). Adam completed his PhD by researching the spiritual development of contemporary Christian mystics. In addition to psychology, as a scholar Adam has studied religion, early Christianity, Hebrew Studies, transpersonal psychology, qualitative research, personal and spiritual growth, spiritual practice, Christian mysticism, and creative expression. Adam practices centering prayer every day and is a teacher of spiritual practices, Christian mysticism, and Christian contemplation. Since 2016 Adam has been the Director and Pastor of Contemplate Lincoln, in addition to leading retreats for clergy, Christian denominations, churches, and individuals.
Our Founding Board
Former Director of Contemplative Programs 2016-2019
Dr. Peter T. Haas
Dr. Peter Traben Haas is founder and editor of ContemplativeChristians.com and is a certified Centering Prayer instructor and retreat leader. He is the author of numerous books on contemplative prayer, including Centering Prayers: A One Year Companion for Going Deeper Into the Love of God. His most recent title is My Yes is Yours: A Daily Contemplative Companion for Advent and Christmas. Peter serves as a teaching pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Peter earned his M.Div. from Princeton Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Peter currently serves as senor pastor at The Church of Conscious Harmony and Christian Contemplative Church in Austin, TX.
Board Member At Large
Marvin Anderson PhD
Marvin Lee Anderson holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology (2006). He also holds a M.A. in Religious Studies from Mundelein College, Chicago (1980) where he studied Creation Spirituality in Matthew Fox’s first graduate program. Dr. Anderson has been a Fellow at the Center for Renaissance and Reformation Studies at the University of Toronto since 2010, unearthing the influence of late medieval German mysticism on the Radical Reformation. He is an international consultant on congregational ministry and rural communities and has taught rural ministry for numerous theological faculties and seminaries in both Canada and the U.S. Marvin lives with his wife, Gwen Jenkins, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Eckhart Society UK and on the advisory board and faculty for the Deep Ecumenism Institute for Yerusha, an online Jewish Renewal educational program.
Chair of the Board, Group Leader, Teacher
Joselyn Luedtke JD
Joselyn is an attorney and government relations expert in Lincoln, NE. She has studied law, environmental law, non-profit law, and natural resources. Joselyn is on the board of several non-profit boards in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is passionate about nature, policy, and family. Joselyn leads contemplative movement, meditation, and Contemplative Conversation Groups at Contemplate Lincoln.
Board Member At Large
Rev. Paul Smith
Paul Smith is a mystic, author, and teacher of the Jesus path. Paul is a cofounder of the Integral Christian Network a worldwide organization seeking the loving evolution of Christianity. Prior to the creation of ICN Paul served a forty-nine-year pastorate at Broadway Church in Kansas City, Missouri. He has taught at churches, seminaries, and various religious gatherings around the country. As a leading voice of Integral Christianity in Ken Wilber’s IntegralLife.com, his first book is Integral Christianity: The Spirit’s call to Evolve and his book, Is Your God Big Enough? Close Enough? You Enough? The Full Spectrum God of Jesus.
Treasurer
Juliet Andersen
Juliet is a web designer in Lincoln, NE. She holds degrees in chemistry and web design. She is passionate about her puppies, grand kids, gardening, and photography. She loves to be creative.
Curator of Contemplative Spaces, Pastor, Founder, Board Member At Large. Former Chair of the Board (2016-2019)
Adam Luedtke PhD
Adam has a PhD in Psychology and a Masters of Arts in Transpersonal Studies. As well as certifications in transformational coaching, spiritual direction, a Bachelor of the Arts in Religious Studies, and an ordained Commissioned Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). Adam completed his PhD by researching the spiritual development of contemporary Christian mystics. In addition to psychology, as a scholar Adam has studied religion, early Christianity, Hebrew Studies, transpersonal psychology, qualitative research, personal and spiritual growth, spiritual practice, Christian mysticism, and creative expression. Adam practices centering prayer every day and is a teacher of spiritual practices, Christian mysticism, and Christian contemplation. Since 2016 Adam has been the Director and Pastor of Contemplate Lincoln, in addition to leading retreats for clergy, Christian denominations, churches, and individuals.
