Spiritual Transformation – Key #7
Posted by Brad BriscoSep 16
Spiritual formation is not a luxury for the most spiritual among us.
It would not come as a surprise to know that Jesus did not have an elite club. Would it? Those we might consider elite as we read the gospels, were not so elite in Jesus’ book. Sure they had their special place as his chosen ones to lead the new people of God, but like their counterparts in the first testament they were just as messed up as the next guy.
In the past, I labored under the illusion that those who studied a particular 13 week course of study in discipleship were more spiritual than those who didn’t. Until a member had taken the course, obtained the certificate, he or she was not a serious disciple. Although this was well-meaning, it was misdirected. My greatest teachers were the older people who had had a long life of learning to love God and others in the crucible of life. While I am not knocking the intellectual development in discipleship, I am saying at the same time that gathering biblical information is not the key to character development or spiritual formation.
This vision of spiritual formation as what the church does for everybody (including children and seniors) is only dependent on the willingness of the disciple to be conformed to the image of Christ. It is not for a special category of Christian. It is for all believers.
5 comments
Comment by Micah Fries on September 16, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Brad-
I like this though, a lot as a matter of fact, but how do you apply it in church life? If it is simply organic in nature, and therefore cannot be directed, can you measure the results?
Comment by Georges Boujakly on September 16, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Micah,
Good questions.
Possible answers for applying spiritual formation to the whole church and not just the elite.
1. Teach and preach and lead (if you are one of these) in such a way as not simply to pass information but to effect transformation. Look at the way you do that and intentionally gear all you say as to encourage and bring about transformation.
2. Instead of just small groups, organize small groups to be spiritual formation groups. There is ample published materials (see Upper Room, Renovare, etc…) to help with this. People learn to do lectio divina in groups. Try it for a 5 minute stretch on Sunday morning even.
3. Model it and talk about it.
4. Lead your leaders in a small spiritual formation group.
5. Keep hammering at the concept that the Bible is not given for information but for formation. Therefore, we must read it with the purpose it was given in mind.
Micah, is this helpful?
As to measurement. The only way I know to measure spiritual results is auto-measurement. In other words, the person repeatedly measures himself and compares previous scores. Helpful here is a site assessyourself.org. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Pingback by Spiritual Transformation « rustinS myth on September 17, 2007 at 5:29 am
[...] Spiritual Transformation Posted on September 17, 2007 by Rustin Brad continues a great series over at Missional Church Network. [...]
Comment by Brad Brisco on September 18, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Georges, good suggestions. I like the idea of spiritual formation groups even if for season. Also like the idea of focusing on the key leaders in the church and taking them on a spiritual formation journey together. Thanks for this series!
Pingback by Spiritual Transformation - Key #8 « Missional Church Network on September 19, 2007 at 6:37 am
[...] Today Georges Boujakly completes his series on “keys” to spiritual transformation. Earlier posts in the series can be found here: key #1a, key #1b, key #1c, key #2, key #3, key #4, key #5, key #6, key #7. [...]