A Roadmap for Spiritual Formation

Spiritual formation has become one of the major movements of the late twentieth century as people seek deeper experiences with God and try to find meaning, value, purpose and identity in their lives.

It has been described as an intentional Christian practice with the goal to develop spiritual maturity, which leads to Christ-likeness.

Such Christian spiritual practice includes (but is not limited to) a: deepened prayer life, Biblical study, fasting, simplicity, solitude, confession, worship among other disciplines.

Spiritual formation, growth and discipleship lead to spiritual wholeness and this spiritual wholeness Dr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr writes “lies in an increasingly faithful response to the One whose purpose shapes our path, whose grace redeems our detours, whose power liberates us from crippling bondages of the prior journey and whose transforming presence meets us at each turn in the road.” 

Robert goes on to write in an article that appeared on the Transforming Center site that “The Christian community (the church), which should have been a clear voice of liberation and wholeness in the wilderness of human bondage and brokenness, has too often been merely an echo of the culture, further confusing those on a wandering and haphazard quest for wholeness.

A multitude of Christian “gurus” have emerged who promise their followers life, liberty and the perfection of happiness. Superficial pop spiritualities abound, promising heaven on earth but producing only failure and frustration for those genuinely hungering and thirsting after God.

Much contemporary Christian spirituality tends to view the spiritual life as a static possession rather than a dynamic and ever-developing growth toward wholeness in the image of Christ.” 

Which is something that I alluded to in a previous post where I asked “Is your Discipleship Strategy Effective?”

Unfortunately, all too often we have viewed Christian spirituality and ultimately our discipleship as a class / course / programme, that once we have completed we can then move on to doing the work of the mission / ministry.

Over time we become disillusioned, frustrated and fed up – as we haven’t allowed ourselves the much needed time and space to continue learning in our discipleship journey and explore the ways in which we connect with our Triune God.

Discipleship more than a programme!

You see, discipleship is a life-long process and as Robert goes on to explain; “When spirituality is viewed as a static possession, the way to spiritual wholeness is seen as the acquisition of information and techniques that enable us to gain possession of the desired state of spirituality.

Discipleship is perceived as “my” spiritual life and tends to be defined by actions that ensure its possession. Thus the endless quest for techniques, methods, programs by which we hope to “achieve” spiritual fulfillment.

The hidden premise behind all of this is the unquestioned assumption that we alone are in control of our spirituality. In brief, we assume we are in control of our relationship with God.”

When spirituality (and in turn our discipleship) is viewed as a journey, however, the way to spiritual wholeness is seen to lie in an increasingly faithful response to the One whose purpose shapes our path, whose grace redeems our detours, whose power liberates us from crippling bondages of the prior journey and whose transforming presence meets us at each turn in the road.

In other words, holistic spirituality is a pilgrimage of deepening responsiveness to God’s control of our life and being.

There are many definitions of spiritual formation – So, how does one select from such a welter of options?

Perhaps selection is not the correct step. It may be better for me to put forth a working definition of spiritual formation that has integrity with the scriptural witness to life in relationship with God, and let you work out its relationship to whatever other definition of spiritual formation you may have adopted.

Robert’s working definition of spiritual formation is fourfold: (1) a process (2) of being formed (3) in the image of Christ (4) for the sake of others.

Scripture is quite clear in its insistence that we have all fallen short of God’s purposes for our creation. It is equally clear in its revelation that God works graciously through all the aspects of human life to bring us to the fulfillment of God’s will for our wholeness. Thus spiritual formation is a process of involvement with God’s gracious work. Once we understand spiritual formation as a process, all of life becomes spiritual formation.

He goes on to say that; Spiritual formation is the experience of being shaped by God toward wholeness and “being (shaped or) formed” will reveal that God is the initiator of our growth toward wholeness and we are to be pliable clay in God’s hand.

Scripture reveals from the very beginning that human wholeness is associated with the image of God. We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26‑27). The New Testament parallel to this is that we are to become the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), who is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).

Scripture also reveals that human wholeness is always actualized in nurturing one another toward wholeness, whether within the covenant community of God’s people or in the role of God’s people in healing brokenness and injustice in the world.

The leadership challenge therefore for pastors, ministers and Officers is that we need to not only recognise the importance of discipleship and ensure that we look at it as a lifelong process for our people – But we also need to look at discipleship as integral to the spiritual formation and growth of those that God has entrusted us with.

The apostle Paul reminds us of this when he says; “Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, and guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood.” Acts 20:28 (Amplified Bible)

And in Ephesians 4:12-13 he goes on to explain why; “Why is it that he gives us these special abilities to do certain things best? It is that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for him, building up the Church, the body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity; until finally we all believe alike about our salvation and about our Savior, God’s Son, and all become full-grown in the Lord—yes, to the point of being filled full with Christ.” (Living Bible)

So, if you’d like some assistance with helping you to thrive in life, keeping you on track and focussed, and experience life in all its fullness – then maybe Spiramentum Ministries can help!

We would love to help create a roadmap for spiritual formation with you so that you can be all that God has called you to be.

Blessings ’til next time:-)

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Transforming Our World: One Message

In the latest ‘The Officer’ magazine, the title of The General’s article is “Transforming Our World: One Message – The Message of Jesus, Bringing Freedom, Hope and Life”.

He starts off by saying; Many of the public respect The Salvation Army in the main because of our work in serving suffering humanity.

In a recent televised interview (The General – Andre Cox) was asked: ‘The Salvation Army is well known for its social services and humanitarian services. How is social work in The Salvation Army enhancing evangelism in Army ministry?’

His immediate response was that the question should have been put round the other way, or perhaps even asked differently: ‘How does our spiritual and God-given calling to preach the message of transformation in Christ impact The Salvation Army’s social work?’

We can never escape the reality that all that we are and all that motivates our service stems from our personal experience of, and relationship with, the risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. If we ever deny that, we cease to be The Salvation Army!

Therefore, in all that we do, we will unashamedly communicate Christ.

He goes on to explore the personal encounter that Levi has with Jesus from Mark’s Gospel, Mark 2:13-17. The full article is available to download from here.

In closing the General says the following:

Jesus performed many miracles during his earthly ministry and he still performs miracles today through the transformation of our very human nature, motivations, thoughts and actions. Jesus has the power to change and transform our conscience and our heart. God is still in the business of transforming our world and that is the message that we are called to share faithfully with this generation!

In all we do, I (The General) pray that we will not be primarily concerned about the reputation of The Salvation Army; that we will not preach ourselves but instead work tirelessly to bring about positive change and transformation through the proclamation of the message of Jesus who alone brings freedom, hope and life.

He prays that our lives and actions will be clear signposts, leading people to discover a personal and living relationship with Jesus.

We know this stuff – right! We have territorial goals to remind us of the ‘main thing’, but the challenge is that we would communicate Christ unashamedly in everything that we do – not as an add on, or even when someone asks us. People need to know that we do … … … (you fill in the blanks) because of what He has done. They need to know that this is the predominate reason for our very being. We’ve been very good at the “walk”, we need to “walk and talk” it though.

Many people comment on our walk, they see the great work of The Salvation Army and they love us because of it; they give us sizable donations come Red Shield Appeal. But those I ask: “Do you know why we do what we do?” have no clue – sometimes because we haven’t told them.

Do you know why we do what we do?

The next time someone thanks you for the work that you do, at the Family Store; in Community Ministries; through the Bridge; as you give them a hot drink etc. Why not ask them the above question and then follow it up with another: “would you like to know why?” If they do and you have time, have a conversation, or even book a time with them over coffee and fill them in on the reason for our being…

After-all “We can never escape the reality that all that we are and all that motivates our service stems from our personal experience of, and relationship with, the risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. If we ever deny that, we cease to be The Salvation Army!”

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