week 4 research paper

MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 14

My Emerging Model of Spiritual Formation

Rawlings School of Divinity

CLED 715: Ecologies of Christian Formation

Arnita Norman

September 11, 2020

My Emerging Model of Spiritual Formation

Part One: Introduction and Overview

Introduction

Whenever an average person speaks about spiritual formation, others assume that it is a contemporary or prevalent synonym for discipleship. Throughout the history of Church and Christianity, the obedience to the Lord’s command has seen believers and followers of Christ dedicate themselves to abide by the biblical policies (Boswell, 2016). In Matthew 28:19-20, the Lord’s command in the Great Commission ought to be obeyed, and this is what keeps Christians united while contributing to the model of spiritual formation. My spiritual formation model is influenced by the fact that people often get weary of using the same word always, and creativity contributes to the making of a biblical perspective of the word and spiritual training. When developing a biblical model of spiritual growth for Christians, there are salient issues and concepts that need to be addressed. Lowe and Lowe (2018) agree that there is a need for a model of spiritual formation that provides a better fit for the way people live in the interconnected age of digital relationships and interactions. Based on the biblical theology of ecology, Christians enlarge their orientation to spiritual formation and connections beyond traditional perceptions of how Christians grow through an ecological perspective.

Overview of Spiritual Formation

In this context of spiritual formation, different creative people have opted for its synonyms. For instance, mentoring is one concept of spiritual formation, which implies a one-on-one strategy of training a less mature believer by a more mature believer (Kujawa-Holbrook, 2001). However, mentoring would not be the best alternative word for “making disciples” as described in the Scripture due to its implications, background, and common use. Looking at the New Testament in the Bible, it can be discovered that making of the disciples is not obligated to individuals only, but also the entire Church. This means that disciples or followers of Christ are meant to be made by the full ministry of Christ’s body in the Church (Norton, 2008). The body of Christ is generally attributed to the journey of spiritual formation.

Every Christian has someone that he or she can attribute to their spiritual formation and growth. The concept of Trinitarian is important is addressing the importance of mentorship in spiritual formation. In his book, Pettit (2008, p. 52) argues that “spiritual formation consists of the Trinitarian work of God in the lives of genuine believers in Christ through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.” Christians should be actively involved in the same role of making disciples and also teach those who we have made disciples do the same (McMartin et al., 2013).

However, potential disciples should balance the wider membership of the Church and subscribe to the Lord’s command to become the disciples that the Lord intends (Eph 4:11-16). I believe that keeping up with the biblical terminology that describes our roles as Christians in the Church helps us understand our roles in spiritual formation. The term “mentorship” is still common and used by many people to refer to the spiritual formation and making of a disciple (Horan, 2017). However, spiritual formation cannot be a synonym of discipleship or mentoring in such a case. According to Smith (2017), “Some trace the roots of the Spiritual Formation Movement to 1974 when Father William Menninger, a Trappist monk, found an ancient book entitled The Cloud of Unknowing in the library at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. This 14th-century book offered a means by which contemplative practices, long used by Catholic monks, could be taught to laypeople.” Menninger’s concept of spiritual formation through mentorship and training was later adopted by a variety of monks, spiritual teachers, and evangelists in making disciples (Shinohara, 2002). The disciplines of mentoring by Menninger were known to people that we are very familiar with church history. Leaders repackaged and offered them as a means of spiritual development and maturity (Salberg, 2018).

As a matter of fact, the ancient contemplative methods introduced by Menninger implied that spiritual formation was impossible without them. The common acceptable biblical disciplines, like the Bible study and prayer sessions, were considered old-fashioned and simplistic. Worse enough, several believers were convinced that these biblical disciplines were copied from the Western “worldview of the head,” which was not realistic. The belief “that whenever one wants to move deeply into Godly things, these principles were now enough” led to the need for alternative spiritual formation models (Setran & Kiesling, 2013). Christianity has ever suffered much criticism from non-believers or those that believe in other religions. Every religion is specifically designed to address specific issues with beliefs and customs. Mentoring is an emerging concept that applies to teach the Scripture, sharing ideas with the less mature believers, and making them disciples (Mulholland Jr, 2016).

My choice of mentorship as one of the salient issues and concepts in spiritual formation and growth is that we live in a digital era where almost every activity is conducted efficiently through mass media. Lowe & Lowe (2018) argues that “communion believers enjoy with Christ through the Spirit” (p. 73). Additionally, the text asserts that seminarians are tasked with spreading the gospel of the gospel through evangelicalism through any tools and means that reach masses. As a result, mentoring is a possible approach to evangelism and the making of disciples since it is made possible using digitalization (Chiroma, 2015). Proper spiritual ecology is deemed to provide the necessary spiritual nutrients for growth. Furthermore, Pettit (2008) presents the approach to spiritual formation by associating in harmony and peace with one another as a leader to help others learn spiritually. The making of disciples is not an easy task with the existence of many critics, but since it is a God-ordained process that shapes the character and actions of a believer to the likeness of Christ. What differentiates spiritual formation from discipleship is its practices and philosophy (McRay et al., 2018). Therefore, mentorship is my emerging spiritual formation model that implies reaching out to individuals and masses to make them Disciples of Christ and strong believers.

Part two: Biblical Support for Identified Issues

The key identified issue of spiritual formation is mentorship, which is a wonderful means for teaching the ways of God. In the bible, there is an ecological theme that utilized the ecological growth observed in the mature to illustrate spiritual growth. Matthew 28:19-20(NIV) says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Intentional nurturing of the followers of Christ or spiritual mentorship is an issue that is lacking in most churches. Looking at the ministry of Jesus, He focused on mentoring the disciples spiritually and in ministry. Worship is the brighter center line of the road of spiritual formation because everything flows from it (Pettit, 2008). There are many instances where Paul talks about the importance of sharing knowledge, experience, and even personal life with others for the glory of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV): “So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

Spiritual Mentorship in the Contemporary World

In today’s world that is greatly interconnected, spiritual mentorship is crucial because postmodernism has done away with the society that completely upheld biblical basis even in communities where Christ was not acknowledged. According to Lowe and Lowe (2018, p. 138), “connection terminology is the language of ecology that emphasizes the way in which different components of an ecosystem organically connect to each other to form a whole of interconnecting organisms that share nutrients and resources.” However, people cannot be expected to go from hearing the truth to living out that same truth without intervention. Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Christians help one another grow through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As Lowa and Lowa (2018) argued, the spiritual formation should be viewed from an ecological perspective. In this case, Spiritual ecology can be understood well from the description of the body of Christ. It is important for Christians to think from an ecological perspective so as to think more broadly regarding how they engage and interact with other believers.

The Trinitarian concept is important in understanding why mentoring is important in spiritual formation. Although the doctrine of Trinity is not mentioned explicitly in the Bible, Christians have to understand the presumed presence of God and His mighty power through the Holy Spirit. In Mathew 28:19, the great commission of God is associated with the unity of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. According to Pettit (2008) the real issue in worship, be it individual or corporate, is not the style of music, liturgy, or anything else, but the issue is the human spirit that is overwhelmed by the work of the Holy Spirit enabling a vision of God that is true and transformational. Philippians 1:2 refers to Father as God, Titus 2:13 speaks of Jesus as God, while Acts 5:3-4 mentions the Holy Spirit as God. A mentorship program especially that involves non-believers can help them understand the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and help the church grow. This will also help in ensuring the growth of one's relationship with God.

Ecological connection in Christian Mentorship Programs

Spiritual interaction between a mentor and mentee creates an ecological connection to Christ and throughout the community. Lowe and Lowe (2018, p. 146) states that “every Christians connection with the person and work of Christ, illustrated in the vertical syn-compounds and grounded in our syn Christo relationship, forms an indissoluble organic bond that forms the cornerstone of a spiritual ecology from which we grow together towards full maturity.” When spiritual leaders, who represent spiritual mentors teach those who are not mature spiritually the ways of Christ, the church grows in one direction. Spiritual formation is a process that cannot be completed by only those who are mature spiritually or even those who are on their journey to mature spiritual growth. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV): “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” A mentorship program can be used as a model of spiritual formation that utilizes ecological interconnectedness and interactive realities.

In his letter to Ephesians, Paul demonstrates horizontal connectedness that believers show as the spiritual nutrients for their continued growth. for instance, Ephesians 4:16 (NIV): "From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Every part of the body has special functions, and each part helps the other grow in such a way that the whole body is healthy and growing in full love. The same applies to where there is a mentor-mentee relationship because the parties help each other grow. Christians have a syn-connection to Christ, a connection that links them so securely that nothing can separate them from the love of God. Christians can vertically connect to Christ, but also Christians can have a spiritual connection to one another through the use of horizontal syn-compounds (Lowe & Lowe, 2018). Those who are connected to Christ through vertical syn-compounds and to each other through horizontal syn-compounds have spiritual ties that create a vast web of interconnections that through the spirit, form them into a sympsychoi, which is a unified soul (Lowe & Lowe, 2018). The overall concern for the church is represented by the syn-compounds that show how Christians can stand united in love and for the gospel of the Lord.

An adult mentor who passionately models and coaches the millennials through spiritual formation makes a personalized investment and creates a relational connection to bond them with God (Horan, 2017). This presents spiritual formation as a communal process that needs a mentor to connect the mentee with God and facilitate the journey until the mentee gains a self-understanding of God and grows like Christ. 2 Tim. 2:2 “and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” The mentor is entrusted to speak the gospel to the mentee. The contemporary generation needs a mentor who comprehends their concerns and one who understand intergenerational relationships (Horan, 2017). Today, Christians in the journey of spiritual development are encouraged by a mentor-mentee relationship that aims to help them learn about faith and how to live in it through Christ.

Part 3: Necessary Ingredients for Spiritual Growth

Transforming people into the likeness of God through the power of the Holy Spirit and a crucial process guided by the bible. There are various elements that contribute to successful spiritual growth. Some of the ingredients that facilitate and promote the spiritual growth of Christians are the soul, love, character, and leadership as the necessary ingredients that facilitate and promote the spiritual growth of Christians (Pettit, 2008). The Holy Spirit guides us within the faith community to serve God and loves others with our hearts and soul. Each of the ingredients necessary for spiritual growth is related to earth in various ways.

Love

Love is an important ingredient in spiritual growth and acts as the motivation for spiritual formation. Pettit (2008) emphasized the importance of never losing focus on our God-given commandment to love the Lord and our neighbors with all our hearts and all our soul. Continually, it is important for Christians to measure their spiritual development and their faith by examining their love walk. Ephesians 4:16 (NIV), God created our whole body with supporting ligaments to grow and in love and work together as one. Just as our bodies work in cooperation, so do Christians have to do in support of their spiritual growth. Christians grow in God’s knowledge and love when they love each other (Boswell, 2016). Love is selfless, God-like, and unconditional.

When developing a mentorship program for spiritual formation, love should be the first concept to be considered. A group filled with love will should great progress and outcome. The program leader should focus not only on how individuals will respond to their spiritual growth journey but also love their work for their followers to love it and also love one another. That means to love one another even if some people do not deserve it. Christians love to please God and as a show of obedience to God's commandment to love Him and his creation.

The Soul

The soul/heart is the center of everything war does. In spiritual formation, our hearts function as the drivers towards the acknowledgement of God and His commandments. According to Pettit (2008, p. 121), “the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. The overflow of words through the mouth determines whether someone has a good or an evil heart. An individual’s heart is the center and the key to the deepest fulfillment. People experience utmost joy, peace, and unconditional love when their heart and soul is in peace (McRay et al., 2018). The heart unites Christians through love for one another. The Trinitarian concept unites the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit as one body, just like people get united through their happy and joyful souls

Character

The process of spiritual growth requires a great character for it to yield fruitful results. Pettit (2008) defines character as the attributes or traits that an individual or something is identified with. There is a vital connection between character development and spiritual formation. Pettit (2008, p. 144) argued that individuals develop a value system through their good or foundational character to help them make “moral or immoral”, “ethical or unethical” decisions in life. Spiritual change is supported and motivated by theological concepts that position Christian formation as a process that relates God in a community ultimately bringing moral and characterological transformation. According to Porter, Sandage, Wang, and Hill (2019), characterological change is the development of virtuous dispositions such as love, generosity, and kindness whereas moral transformation describes the outward manifestation of behavior like forgiveness, love for enemies, and others evidence of virtue in an individual’s life.

For purposes of this research, the spiritual formation has to do with one’s character and moral obligations in relation to what is held sacred like the love for others and God, the portrayal of God's image, and so on. Spiritual formation goes hand in hand with character formation because a mentor has to establish God’s character in a person so as to foster faster spiritual growth. In a mentorship program that concentrates on spiritual growth, a mentor or the leader disciples and trains his/her followers to win souls. Sometimes it might not be about rules, behavior, or belief system as aspects of spiritual formation, but the portrayal of love, kindness, and willingness to help others become leaders in Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV), Paul congratulates and reassures Christians about how God cares for them to an extent of sharing the gospel with them. The willingness to share the gospel and the show for care is a character development that highly contributes to spiritual formation.

Leadership

Servant leadership is a crucial element of spiritual formation. A servant leader is never motivated by personalized powers, but God develops them according to his purpose (Pettit, 2008). Christian servant leaders should have that natural feeling to serve first, then lead. Their leadership qualities must reflect their spiritual belief for them to influence their follower’s personal as well as professional motives on the base of value. A good servant leader manifests him/herself through the care and prioritization he/she gives other people. Servant leaders who inspire, motivate, and encourages spiritual development and growth in others operate in the context of the community. Based on the class presentation about “Reaching the Goal – Process Terms in Spiritual Formation”, it was revealed that Christians work as a community to promote the growth of the church and their personal spiritual maturity. By interacting with mature spiritual leaders in both the church and the community, Christians grow their faith and start impacting others in a positive way towards a greater Christian community.

In Christian mentorship programs, servant leaders have the responsibility to teach others God’s teachings as depicted in 2 Tim. 2:2. Secant leaders act as the mentor and reliable witnesses of God and they are qualified to teach and guide those who are in their journey to spiritual maturity. Jesus is the model servant leader because he submitted and sacrificed his life under God’s will out of service for others. In the same manner, servant leaders should be a committee to serve others voluntarily and develop others to become servant leaders through spiritual transformation. They should serve and lead with God’s power and love in all aspects of their living. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV) encourages us to remember our leaders who speak the Gospel to us and consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

References

Boswell, M. A. (2016). The way to love through hope: A virtue-based model of spiritual growth for Christian spiritual formation (Doctoral dissertation, Graduate Theological Union).

Chiroma, N. H. (2015). The role of mentoring in adolescents’ spiritual formation. Journal of Youth and Theology, 14(1), 72-90.

Horan, A. P. (2017). Fostering spiritual formation of millennials in Christian schools. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 26(1), 56-77.

Kujawa-Holbrook, S. A. (2001). Courage and resistance: Spiritual formation and mentoring girls for religious leadership. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 6(3), 299-310.

Lowe, S. D., & Lowe, M. E. (2018). Ecologies of faith in a digital age: Spiritual growth through online education. InterVarsity Press.

McMartin, J., Dodgen-Magee, D., Geevarughese, M. C., Gioielli, S. M., & Sklar, Q. T. (2013). Spiritual formation training at Rosemead school of psychology. Journal of Psychology & Christianity, 32(4).

McRay, B. W., Barwegen, L., Haase, D. T., Karianjahi, M., Larson, M. L., Ribbe, R., & Wilhoit, J. C. (2018). Spiritual formation and soul care in the department of Christian formation and ministry at Wheaton College. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 11(2), 271-295.

Mulholland Jr, M. R. (2016). Invitation to a journey: A road map for spiritual formation. InterVarsity Press.

Norton, E. (2008). Spiritual formation as if the church mattered: Growing in Christ through the community. Library Journal, 133(11), 74.

Pettit, P. (Ed.). (2008). Foundations of spiritual formation: A community approach to becoming like Christ. Kregel Academic.

Porter, S. L., Sandage, S. J., Wang, D. C., & Hill, P. C. (2019). Measuring the spiritual, character, and moral formation of seminarians: In search of a meta-theory of spiritual change. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 12(1), 5-24.

Salberg, K. A. (2018). Posture and spiritual formation: Sanctification in George Herbert’s country parson and the temple. Christianity & Literature, 66(1), 57-72

Setran, D. P., & Kiesling, C. A. (2013). Spiritual formation in emerging adulthood: A practical theology for college and young adult ministry. Baker Academic.

Shinohara, A. (2002). Spiritual formation and mentoring: An approach from the Christian tradition of spiritual direction. Christian Education Journal, 6(2), 105.

Smith, G. T. (2017). Generation to generation: Inter-gene rationality and spiritual formation in the Christian community. Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care, 10(2), 182-193.

25 (33.33333%) Points Range:24 (32.00%) - 26 (34.66666%) Paper reflects doctoral level treatment of the subject with appropriate understanding of concepts and proper use of technical terminology. It includes the previous two sections. It includes references to required readings and integrates them into the writing. Page length requirement was met.	Points Range:22 (29.33333%) - 23 (30.66666%) Paper reflects doctoral level treatment of the subject with growing understanding of concepts and use of technical terminology. It includes some of the previous two sections. It includes references to required reading(s) and attempts to integrate them into the writing. Page length requirement was partially met.	Points Range:1 (1.33333%) - 21 (28.00%) Paper reflects graduate level treatment of the subject with growing understanding of concepts and use of technical terminology. It includes little to no content from the previous two sections. It references required reading(s) but does not integrate reading into body of paper. Page length requirement was lacking.	Points Range:0 (0.00%) - 0 (0.00%)
Organization and Structure	Points:25 (33.33333%) Points Range:24 (32.00%) - 26 (34.66666%) Paper has an observable structure with headings that make it easy to read and follow the flow of thought.	Points Range:22 (29.33333%) - 23 (30.66666%) Paper has a structure with some headings that make it easy to read and follow the flow of thought.	Points Range:1 (1.33333%) - 21 (28.00%) Paper has little observable structure without headings that make it hard to read and follow the flow of thought.	Points Range:0 (0.00%) - 0 (0.00%)
Paper Style	Points Range:21 (28.00%) - 23 (30.66666%) Paper is free from errors of spelling, syntax, and grammar. Paper has a Liberty University approved cover sheet and references list that conforms perfectly to current APA formatting.	Points:19.5 (26.00%) Points Range:19 (25.33333%) - 20 (26.66666%) Paper is relatively free from errors of spelling, syntax, and grammar. Paper has a Liberty University approved cover sheet and references list that conforms substantially to current APA formatting. Feedback: NIV and other Bible translation abbreviations need italics. Punctuation goes inside the quotation mark.	Points Range:1 (1.33333%) - 18 (24.00%) Paper has numerous grammar, syntax, and spelling errors and inconsistently utilizes current APA style. It has a Liberty University approved cover sheet.	Points Range:0 (0.00%) - 0 (0.00%)

The rubric total value of 69.50 has been overridden with a value of 70.00 out of 75.

Name:Research Paper: Necessary Ingredients for Spiritual Growth Grading Rubric