Spiritual Formation in Congregations

CS 654Houston Graduate School of Theology

Spiritual FormationFoundations

Spiritual Formation Defined

Spiritual Formation Defined

“The basic core of spiritual formation is an

enabling relationship with God based upon

grace alone” (from The Upward Call, Tracy)

Spiritual Formation Defined

“The basic core of spiritual formation is an

enabling relationship with God based upon

grace alone” (from The Upward Call, Tracy) “There is no possibility

of spiritual formation apart from

‘intersections’ or encounters with God”

(Tracy)

To discuss spiritual

formation as an end in

itself,

To discuss spiritual

formation as an end in

itself,

or as a prescription for reducing

stress,

To discuss spiritual

formation as an end in

itself,

or as a prescription for reducing

stress, is to miss the primary point.

At the heart of spiritual

development is a carefully nurtured

relationship with God.

To discuss spiritual

formation as an end in

itself,

or as a prescription for reducing

stress, is to miss the primary point.

Dallas Willard says that spiritual formation is . . .

The Spirit-driven process

Of forming the self’s inner world

So that it becomes like the inner being of Christ

Spiritual formation is . . .

Spiritual formation is . . .

Focused entirely on Christ

Spiritual formation is . . .

Focused entirely on Christ

Through obedience or conformity to

Christ

Spiritual formation is . . .

Focused entirely on Christ

Through obedience or conformity to

Christ

That arises from inner

transformation

Spiritual formation is . . .

Focused entirely on Christ

Through obedience or conformity to

Christ

That arises from inner

transformation

As a result of purposive interaction with God’s

grace in Christ

External manifestations

Deadening legalisms

External manifestations

Deadening legalisms

Pointless parochialisms

External manifestations

Deadening legalisms

Pointless parochialisms

Peculiar modes of dress,

behavior, and organization

External manifestations

Deadening legalisms

Pointless parochialisms

Peculiar modes of dress,

behavior, and organization

Not the point of Christlikeness

External manifestations

Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life

Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life

Person

Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life

Person

Family

Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life

Person

Family

Culture

Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life

Person

Family

CultureHistorica

l Moment

Christian formation must consider the complex web of human life

Person

Family

CultureHistorica

l Moment

Holy Spirit

Christian formation is real life. If we wall off our Christian formation from real life, we only pretend

Exercise

Jot down a summary of words and ideas to describe spiritual formation in your own words as a reflection on the definitions we have just discussed.

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Spiritual FormationBiblical and Theoretical Foundations

Theoretical Foundations

The difference between being “formed” and being

“transformed”• Formation happens naturally

• Transformation is the result of spiritual formation

Theoretical Foundations

Conformation

Theoretical Foundations

Conformation

Relinquishing control to God

Theoretical Foundations

Conformation

Relinquishing control to God

Being compliant and obedient

Theoretical Foundations

Conformation

Relinquishing control to God

Being compliant and obedient

Takes place at points of “unlikeness” to Christ

Sources of “Formation”

Sources of “Formation”

Choices – taking responsibility for

who we have become

Family of origin

Generations

Religious experiences

Culture

Moment in history

Sources of “Transformation” and of “Being Conformed”

Sources of “Transformation” and of “Being Conformed”

Choices based on Kingdom resources

Connection and/or reconnection with

family of origin through the generations

Dependence upon and

interaction with the presence of

Christ

Connection to the Community of Faith (family of God) as a

responsible participant

Renewal of the mind (thinking differently than I had thought)

Key Biblical Passages

The goal is to become fully formed (transformed, conformed) . . .• Ephesians 4:11-16• 2 Corinthians 3:15-18• Romans 12:1-2

Key Biblical Passages

The goal is to become fully formed (transformed, conformed) . . .• Ephesians 4:11-16• 2 Corinthians 3:15-18• Romans 12:1-2

To the image of Christ• Colossians 3:1-3• Philippians 2:1-8; 3:17-21