Spiritual Formation
Kimberly Fontenette
CHMN 501: Introduction to Christian Ministry
July 2024
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Examining Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation is a term that can be defined in many different ways depending on
who you ask. Each preacher, teacher, ministry leader, may have a different way of defining what
spiritual formation is to them. To get a clear picture of the spiritual formation process we must
first define it properly. Spiritual Formation is a process in which intentional steps are taken
within one’s life and community that guides the journey to a more Christlike life. In the book,
Renovation of the Heart, Christian spiritual formation is defined as “the Spirit-driven process of
forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of
Christ himself.”1
The process of spiritual formation has many parts. Within the spiritual formation process,
ministry leaders cannot forget the importance of looking at the process in totality without making
it too simple or watered down. “Christian have tended, in the modern era, to reduce the richness
and complexity of formation to simple formulae, or easily replicated programs.”2 Another
important point to remember is that spiritual formation is a process. It is to look the part, but to
be the part. “External manifestation of “Christlikeness” is not, however, the focus of the process;
and when it is made the main emphasis, the process will certainly be defeated, falling into
deadening legalism and pointless parochialism.”3
1 Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress,
2021), 15.
2 J. C. Wilhoit & Howard, E. B. (2020), “The Wisdom of Christian Spiritual Formation,” Journal of Spiritual
Formation and Soul Care, 13(1), 5-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/1939790920903841
3 Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress,
2021), 15-16.
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Spiritual Formation takes transformational change happening from the inside out. It is not
by human efforts alone that this change occurs. The first step in spiritual formation is to look at
the example, Jesus Christ, and the way he lived his life. In addition to realizing this, one cannot
transform without understanding the power of the help of Christ through the Holy Spirit. (John
5:15 CSB) RelyingCon the Holy Spirit alone will not fully engage the process of transformational
change. To have the knowledge of how Jesus Christ lived, see him as the center, and understand
the Holy Spirit, study of the scripture must take place. “Christian spiritual formation begins not
with us, but with Christ: the Christ who is the center of scripture, the message of salvation, and
the person manifest in the Spirit.” 4
Intentionality is also a vital part of the process of spiritual formation. It is not enough to
say, “I want to live right, I do not want to sin anymore.” The journey may begin with that desire,
but that desire must transform into a deep desire to not solely rely on will power. When one
decides to be intentional that intentionality must flow into relationships, careers, and individual
goals.CAs the steps are taken to study the word, to rely on the Holy Spirit, to make an intentional
effort to work towards change, transformation of the heart begins. (Proverbs 4:20-24 CSB).
Spiritual formation also helps one to learn the importance of relying on God. This process is not
something that can be done alone. Staying connected to God through the entire process is
mandatory if it is to work. There is a rest as spiritual formation is taking place in God. (Matthew
11:28 CSB). Christian spiritual formation also takes a community. Just as there are intrinsic
factors that can affect a person’s journey. There are also extrinsic factors that can do the same. I
love and community is also what God is after. The body of Christ is not just one person doing it
4 For a treatment of the divine life, death, and resurrection of Christ along with comments regarding their
significance for formation, see Athanasius,COn the IncarnationC(Yonkers, NY: St. Vladimir’s Press, 2012). As quoted
in J. C. Wilhoit & Howard, E. B. (2020), “The Wisdom of Christian Spiritual Formation,” Journal of Spiritual
Formation and Soul Care, 13(1), 5-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/1939790920903841
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alone, but it is working in tandem with each other to grow in Christ. “The gifts, and the fruit of
the spirit are all part of a rich, formative interaction of person and community.”5
The purpose and process concerning spiritual formation require Jesus at the center. The
formation process is also a lifelong one. As individuals are working to toward becoming more
like Christ, the understanding that it takes a day-by-day minute by minute approach is extremely
important. Now that spiritual formation has been examined, it is time to explore the impact that
putting on the character of Christ has on six dimensions of humanity outline in Renovation of the
Heart.C
Putting on the Character of Christ
Dr. Dallas Willard states “Spiritual formation in Christ, is the process leading to that ideal
end, and its result is the love of God, with all of the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and of the
neighbor as oneself.”6 Putting on the character of Christ as it relates to the sixth dimension of
humanity must start from the core of a person. If spiritual transformation is about becoming more
like Christ than the heart of a person must be considered and included in this process.C
Dr. Willard outlines the six dimensions of humanity starting with thought, feeling, Will,
Body, Social Context, and Soul. There is no doubt that the six dimensions cannot work
separately from each other, but there is one that is at the core of every dimension. One that is the
driving factor for how all the dimensions operate. That dimension is the Will. The power to do
good or evil. The Will is compromised of the Spirit and the Heart. “Thus, will or spirit is also, as
we have noted, the heart in the human system: the core of its being”7
5 J. C. Wilhoit & Howard, E. B. (2020), “The Wisdom of Christian Spiritual Formation,” Journal of Spiritual
Formation and Soul Care, 13(1), 5-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/1939790920903841
6 Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress,
2021), 25.
7 Ibid. p.28
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Thoughts that pass through the mind give the will of a person the ability to go far beyond
the immediate environment.C“Feelings incline us, toward or away from things that come before
our minds and thought” 8 CThe human body is the vehicle one uses to maneuver the physical and
social world. The body is a gift that God created by way of parents to truly help represent our
identity. “My body came from God through them, and they provided a social and spiritual
context, that, more than anything else, makes me the person I am.”9 Socially it is expected that
we are rooted in relationship with others. Our relationship with others is a depiction of how our
relationship is with God. Being properly connected with others helps ensure to ensure a closer
relationship with God during the spiritual formation process. For all these pieces to fall into play,
such as transforming thoughts, re-formation of the body, and who we connect to, the heart must
be right. God being at the center causes the spirit to be in good health, and that good health flows
to the mind, soul, and body.C
The Role of Spiritual Formation in Modern-Day Ministry
Spiritual formation plays a very important role in modern-day ministry. Knowing the
destination before starting the journey helps to always keep the goal in mind. Dr. Stephen Lowe
gives an example of he and his wife traveling. Before they begin their travels, he puts in the
address to the GPS to get a clear path to his destination. He shares “If you don’t know the
beginning from the end, then it doesn’t matter which direction you take.”10 Telos is a Greek word
that completion, fulfillment, goal, aim, or end. In Matthew 26:58, the scripture talks about Peter
8 Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress,
2021), 28.
9 Ibid. p. 30
10 Stephen Lowe, “The Role of Spiritual Formation in Ministry” (video lecture in CHMN 501 at Liberty University,
Lynchburg, VA, Summer 2024)
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going after or following the high priest to see the end (telos). The end game for spiritual
formation within ministry is the biblical objective for the Christian life to become more
Christlike. This means that maturity in Christ must take place throughout the process.C
Within modern-day ministry, for spiritual formation to be effectively implemented and
practiced, vision, intention, and means have to be present.CThe vision that must be seen to guide
the transformation process is the vision of life in the Kingdom. Jesus was sent to earth, not only
to die for our sins, but to preach about the kingdom of God and what it takes to get there. God’s
desire is not for humans to just live now on earth, but to live with him in eternity (2 Peter 1:4
CSB).
CIt is not enough to see and believe the vision. There must be intentionality behind that
belief. Believing the Kingdom exists, and believing Christians have access to it through Christ
Jesus gives us the option to choose this path. This also provides the choice to truly trust and rely
on God. Being intentional involves making the decision to do so. Once the vision has been cast,
and the decision has made to be intentional by obeying Christ, the means are not far off.C
Through the spiritual formation journey, it must be realized that when the decision is made to
live a better life. Jesus Christ and his ways of living should always be sought out. It is not as
simple as doing good or making the right decision in your own power, especially if your heart
has not been transformed. A person would only be filled with the things that ruin the soul. “I
must find the means of changing my inner being until it is substantially like his, pervasively,
characterized by his thoughts, feelings, habits, and relationship to the Father.”11
Spiritual Formation in the Life of the Minister
11 Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress,
2021), 89.
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As spiritual formation and the different parts of the process have been explored, I would
be remised to leave out the importance of self in the transformational process. Modern-day
practitioners have a duty to implement steps personally to guide others through the process. For
the condition that our hearts are in determines what flows out in ministry (Proverbs 4:23). There
are many habits that individuals can incorporate into their lives to assist them personally with
spiritual formation.C
Because spiritual formation is a part of our lifelong journey, different habits will form and
can be integrated throughout our lives. The two that I will share have been working on my life
and I slowly and internationally allow them to. The first are giving and forgiving. Giving has
always been a gift of mine, but easily forgiving has become harder overtime, especially
depending on the level of an offense. I am learning as I grow within the spiritual formation
process as we take on the character of Christ that giving and forgiving come along with the new
package. Many people feel that forgiving gives the other person or situation power, but it shows
your strength. “Giving is the highest expression of potency.”12 The second habit that I am
working to implement is dying to self. I am a planner at heart, and when the plans do not go
according to what I have laid out, it truly bothers me. It is a constant lesson to know that God’s
plans turn out better than ours. What you were planning to do may not be bad, or against God’s
will, but it can be very much out of his timing for you. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Conclusion
12 Fromm, Art of Loving, 2021 quoted in Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ
(Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2021), 66.
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Spiritual formation is not something that a human being can master in a specific amount
of time. This transformational process is one that God must be the center of. It is not something
that we can earn by winning awards, it is not something that we can do in our own power, and it
is not something that miraculously happens with no plan. Becoming more Christlike is only
something that happens by the grace of God. Understanding that this process is a lifelong
journey, and that we have the greatest resource of all, the life of Christ to follow, makes it all
possible even when it seems impossible.C
Bibliography
9
Lowe, Stephen. “The Role of Spiritual Formation in Ministry.” Lecture in CHMN 501 at Liberty
University, Lynchburg, VA, Summer 2024.
Wilhoit, J. C., & Howard, E. B. (2020). The Wisdom of Christian Spiritual Formation. Journal of
Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 13(1), 5-21.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1939790920903841
Willard, D.CRenovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ.CColorado Springs, CO:
NavPress. (2021).
