My friend Georges Boujakly writes a helpful post on the need for spiritual formation being “for the sake of others.” Lately I have had several conversations with people about the greatest “need” for the dying church in the West. In most cases the issue is identified as a “discipleship/maturity” or “spiritual formation” problem.
For those who have followed this blog know that I, like many of you, believe the primary issue for the church in the West involves rediscovering the missionary nature of the church in the midst of a post-Christendom culture. The church must relearn what it means to be sent into the world to participate with God in what He is already doing.
Now is spiritual formation an issue in the church? Absolutely! But let our spiritual formation be that which equips, motivates and propels us to be sent into the lives of other people. Let our formation be, not for our own benefit, but “for the sake others.”
Brad,
I rarely disagree with you but I will on this one. But probably not in the way you think because I think spiritual formation and mission are deeply linked, a both/and issue.
What I think is missing from the mission part, is the spiritual formation part. Jesus spent three years in heavy development with a small tribe before he sent them. And what typically happens is that we skip that part before sending. We haven’t done the deep soul work necessary to prepare people for mission.
And the reason I say both/and is that those in spiritual formation typically ignore the mission part. The point of spiritual formation is to be prepared for mission. What I think is needed then is a more wholistic approach to the whole process that includes both.
Jonathan, well I don’t think we disagree on this one . . . I too think the “spiritual formation part is missing from the mission part.” I also agree with your assessment with Jesus and spending three years in heavy development.
What I want to push back on in many of my experiences in existing churches is the emphases on spiritual growth/formation that is simply for the sake of the church member. As you mention, Jesus’ time spent with his disciples was for the purpose of forming them to be sent into the world. Unfortunately, from my experience that is rarely the case with small groups, Sunday school and/or “discipleship training” that usually takes place within my tribe.
I find it a very helpful, and corrective reminder to think of spiritual formation “for the sake of others.”
I like that (and that we’re not really disagreeing.) I now see that you too are adding as opposed to separating. Nice.
Can you have one without the other–If one is discipled to observe all that Jesus commanded us, will he not rediscover the missary nature of the church. Is not spiritual maturity being missional. For the sake of others = Phil. 2:1-10. We do not need more so called disciples who are “for the sake of others” nor do we need missional people who are not obeying all of Christ’s commands. Neither are mature, both observe only a part of who Jesus is.