DB: Ecologies/Foundations CHP 1-4
Based upon your reading of the required texts for this module, identify one topic, theme, or
concept from each required text (Foundations and Ecologies) and elaborate about what you
found helpful both personally and as a leader.
During the assigned readings from, Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth
through Online Education written by Dr. Stephen Lowe and Dr. Mary Lowe (2018), I was
challenged to expand my understanding of spiritual formation from a stereotypical
“individualistic discipleship programmed event” to a more advanced and complex communal
experience that has individualistic expressions. This core challenge I felt developed out of the
subject the authors referred to as, “The Body of Christ as Ecosystem.” The quote I am referring
to explains that,
“Individual growth can only occur within a defined ecology, and that is as true of the
ecology of the church as it is for other parts of creation. When Christians disengage from
or disrupt the ecological exchanges (‘reciprocal ministry’) taking place in the body of
Christ, they short-circuit God’s design for growth” (p. 61).
This statement I found helpful personally because it communicated the convicting truth
that community is not optional in the Body of Christ. Attempting to grow as a “lone wolf” in the
faith will not work. The result of those tireless “one-man-show” efforts will be that I will simply
“short-circuit.” I found this convicting, because at times it is hard to open yourself up to the
people you pastor, for fear that your vulnerability may be used against you. Yet, as the authors
have written, community is a necessary function of the spiritual formation process in order to be
refined as iron sharpens iron.
Professionally I found this section of our reading to be helpful as it illustrates the deep
truth that in our Gospel centered churches there is a place for everyone to serve and be served.
This is a truth I derive from the authors statement that, “Christians activate these spiritual
connections between members of the body by mutual exchanges of spiritual nourishment—seen
primarily, but not exclusively, in the “one another” imperatives—empowered by the spiritual
gifts distributed freely from the Holy Spirit” (p. 61). Each believer has been uniquely gifted in a
way that can grow their faith, grow other believer’s faith, and edify the local church body. This
encourages me to remember that my job as a leader in my local church is to find ways to equip
the saints, with their unique gifting, for the work of the ministry.
As it pertains to the book, Foundations of Spiritual Formation written by Jonathan
Morrow (2008), I was challenged to rethink professionally my understanding and
communication of how the believer grows in faith. Morrow states that, “In short, there is no
spiritual formation if there is no activity of the Holy Spirit” (p. 46). While this is understandable
after reading the totality of the section, “Necessary Resources for Spiritual Formation,”
previously I had not communicated to our congregation the finality that, if the Holy Spirit was
not involved in their private spiritual formation that the individual was not growing. This truth
while, valid and stepped in accurate theology, can be hard to communicate to those who may be
walking through a “season of the soul” characterized by the season “winter.” This seasonal
depiction articulating many inward expressions felt from the soul. Those on this pilgrimage of
faith cannot help but experience the seasons of the soul.
This truth from Morrow is incredibly comforting and challenging. Personally, it is
comforting because it presupposes that the Holy Spirit is active inside of me, that the Holy Spirit
indwells within me no matter my season. It acknowledges that if I feel and see that I am growing
in the faith and this is affirmed by others in the Body of Christ, then the Holy Spirit has willed
this formation and is actively sanctifying me. Professionally this truth challenges me to become
a better communicator of the hope that has been stewarded to all heirs of Christ. In conclusion
this portion of our reading has helped to better inform me on the trinitarian dependency that my
teaching must take in order to help fellow Christians grow in their own faith.
Jonathan Morrow, “Introducing Spiritual Formation,” in Foundations of Spiritual
Formation, ed. Paul Pettit (Kregel Publications, 2008), 46.
Stephen D. Lowe and Mary E. Lowe, Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth
through Online Education (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2018), 61.
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