Member Login

What is "spiritual formation?"

Is spiritual formation addressed in the Bible? Is it a biblical concept?

What is ECSW's focus concerning spiritual growth and formation?

What impact has ECSW seen from using this approach to spiritual growth?


What is "spiritual formation?"

Simply put, spiritual formation is the process by which Christians are increasingly transformed into Christlikeness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Its more traditional term is "sanctification," specifically, the process by which we are progressively sanctified.

There are generally two points of view which are strongly held by Christians regarding how we are spiritually formed, each on the end of a spectrum. On one end, our formation is accomplished by the Holy Spirit without any action on our part, and on the other, it is through our efforts and hard work that we create growth in our character. Paradoxically, both extremes hold some truth. However, each misses a key factor in how we attain spiritual growth: through our personal relationship with God.

It is indeed the Holy Spirit who changes us, but God does ask us to cooperate with His work through our actions. To truly grow in Christ, we must first be in direct relationship with God. Then through the deepening of this relationship with Him – through our experiences with God, His love, and His people – our hearts and our lives are changed.

God is the one who directs our efforts, not us. While we never achieve complete sanctification in this life, we are to grow into maturity (1 Corinthians 14:20, Ephesians 4:12-13, Colossians 1:28, Hebrews 6:1). Our growth into Christlikeness is a life-long process, a life-long deepening of one's relationship with God.

Read a more expanded definition of Spiritual Formation.

top


Is spiritual formation addressed in the Bible? Is it a biblical concept?

Throughout the Bible, followers of Christ are called again and again to grow into maturity (1 Corinthians 2:6-3:3, Hebrews 5:11-6-12, Ephesians 4:11-16). While the term "spiritual formation" is relatively new, the concept is fully supported in the Scriptures. As Christians, we are to become a transformed people (Romans 12:2) exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit by walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25). The fruit or character traits of the Holy Spirit are to emanate from hearts that are transformed to be like Christ's. Our thoughts, emotions and wills are to be changed, not just our external behavior, as Jesus commanded (Matthew 5). This holistic transformation is accomplished solely by the Holy Spirit, but believers are invited to cooperate in His work (Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 8:13). The goal of spiritual formation is maturity, individually and in the church, so that Christ's body may continue to serve Him in this age. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

top


What is ECSW's focus concerning spiritual growth and formation?

The spiritual formation movement in its contemporary iteration has been influencing pockets of the evangelical church in America for the last several decades. The unifying belief among those drawn to the field is that currently many professing Christians are not being significantly affected and fundamentally changed by the gospel of Christ. Current research shows that Christian attitudes and actions are not recognizably different from their non-believing neighbors.

Spiritual formation and discipleship proponents offer a variety of approaches to helping Christians in their spiritual growth journeys. ECSW specifically focuses on that juncture where discipleship and spiritual formation meet: how do we grow in our discernment of the Holy Spirit's activity and direction in our lives, and how do we then best cooperate with His leadings. Often this involves a Christian looking inward, into the realms of one's own heart, where hidden obstacles and undiscovered areas of unbelief have more control over our actions and desires than we sometimes recognize. It additionally involves opening oneself to corrective experiences of love, truth, grace and mercy with God and with His people in those vulnerable places of the heart.

Many involved in spiritual formation and discipleship focus on the external aspects of spiritual growth, such as spiritual disciplines, exercises and habit development. While ECSW does not dismiss the assistance of external, behavioral actions towards spiritual growth, our focus is primarily on the internal: what the Holy Spirit is doing relationally with a person and how one responds to His movements. Specifically, our desire is to help Christian leaders discover the obstacles in their lives and hearts that keep them from serving God and His people from a place of love and freedom. Through their continuing transformation, entire congregations can also come to experience more deeply the power of God's deep life-changing work.

top


What impact has ECSW seen from using this approach to spiritual growth?

Through both personal experience and by accompanying others through this process of deep spiritual growth, we at ECSW have witnessed powerfully transformed lives, evidenced by increasing fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The work that God does in the deep heart of the believer flows into the whole of the believer's life: decisions, actions, emotions, health, personal relationships, worldview, etc. This change is manifested more than in just the outward performance of character and disciplines; it is an inner change of one's motivations and desires. The result is transformed hearts and minds who love God and neighbor, not merely transformed behavior.

One of the most notable differences is in the experiences of relationships, both with God and with others. Through this process of following the Holy Spirit into one's heart, one's relational brokenness can be healed. We have seen believers who learn to relationally abide in Christ (John 15:5) and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16 & 25), living moment-by-moment with a deep awareness of God, looking for His activity and desiring to follow His leading.

top