Spiritual formation research
The Seven Categories (and subcategories and resources to look at):
1. A supportive spiritual community (Hall and Wang) (pg 141 and 231 of Lost in Transition)
(Literally most of Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults) (Page 129 in Souls in Transition)
a. Small groups (page 131 in Souls in Transition)
b. Mentorship (page 241 of Lost in Transition)
c. accountability
2. Taking ownership of one’s faith/testimony (Hall and Wang) (Page 128 and 137 and 307 in
Souls in Transition) (page 62 of Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood)
a. Working through challenges: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 5:10
3. Spiritual disciplines: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (Chapter 6 in Shaping the Journey of Emerging
Adults) (page 116 in Souls in Transition)
4. Worship (page 116 and 302 and 305 in Souls in Transition) (chapter 4 in Spiritual
Formation in Emerging Adulthood)
a. Prayer (literally in the entire Bible)
b. Corporate praise/worship sessions (Hall)
5. Knowledge (page 122 and 124 and 135 in Souls in Transition)
a. Bible/theology classes/apologetics (Hall)
6. Application (Chapter 7 in Shaping the Journey of Emerging Adults) (page 126 in Souls in
Transition) (Chapter 5 in Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood)
a. Service/mission trips
b. Evangelism
7. A Christian approach to culture (Fostering Religious)
a. Biblical worldview
Possible Questions
1. Does your university offer small groups, mentorship, accountability groups, or some other
form of group as a part of a supportive spiritual community?
2. How does your university’s spiritual formation program allow students to take ownership of
their faith?
3. How does your university guide/offer support to students during challenging situations?
4. Does your university offer/require students to participate in any spiritual disciplines?
5. How does your university’s style of worship form students spiritually?
6. What kind of worship opportunities, both corporate praise/worship and individual worship,
does your university offer that may contribute to students’ spiritual formation? How often?
7. How does your university incorporate prayer into students’ lives? How might this contribute to
spiritual formation?
8. Does your university offer any service/mission trips or evangelism opportunities that allow
students to apply what they have learned in their theology classes and through meditation on
God’s Word?
9. How does your university approach the topic of culture? What worldview does your university
teach?
Tori’s Questions:
Spiritual Formation Research Project Questions
· How would you define spiritual formation?
· What factors do you think are most important for spiritual formation?
· How important is spiritual formation to your university?
· How long has the university had a program intentionally focused on spiritual formation?
· What is the current staffing of this program/function? Could you share an organization chart?
· What goals does the university have for spiritual formation? How intentional is the university in
its commitment to spiritual growth?
· What programs/structures are provided under the “umbrella” of faith or spiritual formation?
· Does your university offer spiritual formation courses? If so, are they required for all students
to take?
· Aside from classes, what other activities are available for students to become actively involved
in spiritual formation (chapel, community outreach, local church membership, etc.)? What sort of
things is the university doing to promote spiritual growth?
· What do you think are some features to gauge the quality/success of a spiritual formation
among the student body? What is your opinion of the success of the university’s program for
spiritual formation? Are the goals for spiritual formation being realized?
· What, if any, assessment are you doing of a) the program’s effectiveness and b) the progress
that individual students are making in their formation? What tool(s) do you use for assessment?
· From your observation, are students actively searching and curious about spiritual issues and
questions?
· What spiritual/religious practices (church services, prayer, service to others, etc.) are students
most/least attracted to?
· Is there anything that you wish the university would do to further promote/support spiritual
formation?
· Any other comments or observations?
Interview: Joe Mahkle-- Northwestern upperclassman
1. Does your university offer small groups, mentorship, accountability groups, or some other
form of group as a part of a supportive spiritual community?
Joe: Yes, we offer small groups in each hall, accountability groups in res life, counseling
services. We have professors who are great mentors. As an ARD, I have a mentor in the AD.
2. How does your university’s spiritual formation program allow students to take ownership of
their faith?
Joe: They provide us with all of the needed resources, but it is your choice what you want to do
with them.
3. How does your university guide/offer support to students during challenging situations?
Joe: We have a students’ needs team that is made up of deans, and RDs who meet weekly to
address student needs which can include mental health and other issues to make sure that their
time at Northwestern is great.
4. Does your university offer/require students to participate in any spiritual disciplines?
Joe: Yes, it is offered in prayer chapels weekly which can be done in silence. However, it is not
mandated to my knowledge.
5. How does your university’s style of worship form students spiritually?
Joe: Musical worship can be dependent on who is leading the music. We have students who
worship differently during chapel than others.
6. What kind of worship opportunities, both corporate praise/worship and individual worship,
does your university offer that may contribute to students’ spiritual formation? How often?
Joe: We have daily musical worship in chapel. We have worship nights. We have shuttles to
churches. We have prayer rooms for students to engage in personal worship.
7. How does your university incorporate prayer into students’ lives? How might this contribute to
spiritual formation?
Joe: There is opportunity to pray before classes. Later this year, we will have the Day of Prayer
and Service. For certain classes, we are required to do things with prayer.
8. Does your university offer any service/mission trips or evangelism opportunities that allow
students to apply what they have learned in their theology classes and through meditation on
God’s Word?
Joe: We have a bunch of student leadership groups that specifically send out international
mission trips or work with local projects. Examples of these groups would be Global
Engagement, Writing in the Sand, and Streetlight.
9. How does your university approach the topic of culture? What worldview does your university
teach?
Joe: Northwestern requires us to take Christianity and Culture. We also have groups on campus
that are meant to address cultural issues. In my experience, Northwestern does not shy away
from problems with culture but can be hesitant to address them until necessary.
INTERVIEW: DR. BAILEY—DORDT (Lucy)
1. Does your university offer small groups, mentorship, accountability groups, or some
other form of group as a part of a supportive spiritual community?
2. How does your university’s spiritual formation program allow students to take
ownership of their faith?
· Professors care about students as human beings, it’s not just the theology department but
people in other areas are engaged in mentoring and helping students along
3. How does your university guide students through challenging situations?
· Providing as many support structures as possible
· Avenues in residence halls-RAs are trained to minister
· Student success team
· Students struggle academically because other things are going on in their lives
· Professors send academic alerts to trigger conversations between student success team,
professor, and advisor for help
· Students have emergencies or are struggling—dordt leverages as many different areas of
support—professors, advisors, students
· Reaching out in 4-5 different ways to that they can get back on track
· Caring about students as human beings not just those that are passing or not passing the class
· Rather take the time to come alongside a student than teach them a lesson by failing them
· Use academic struggles as an individual
4. Does your university offer/require students to participate in any spiritual disciplines?
· No universal requirement
· Kingdom identity and calling—all freshmen take it, 20 people or less
o These classes are where students have spiritual disciplines to complete
o Projects where students interview older Christians with their experience with spiritual
disciplines—we all still struggle with them
o Biblical foundations courses—projects more geared towards spiritual discipline projects—
show unexpected and surprising love; students asked to take some time of silence and reflect on
some aspect of God’s creation
o Integrated into classes
5. How does your university’s style of worship form students spiritually?
6. What kind of worship opportunities, both corporate praise/worship and individual
worship, does your university offer that may contribute to students’ spiritual formation?
7. How does your university incorporate prayer into students’ lives? How might this
contribute to spiritual formation?
· Spiritual temperature has gone up because the chaplain has emphasized prayer
· October—24/7 prayer initiative for 1-2 weeks—students prayed for 15 minutes and divided
up all that time for 2 weeks so there was continual prayer for 2 weeks
· Prayer rooms and open space for prayer
· Write prayer requests on prayer walls
· Encouraging
· Pray before class—remind us that we’re in God’s presence in the class
8. Does your university offer any service/mission trips or evangelism opportunities that
allow students to apply what they have learned in their theology classes and through
meditation on God’s Word?
· Yes
· Mission trip and service projects during Christmas and summer breaks
· PLEA short term mission trips
Tori’s Questions:
Spiritual Formation Research Project Questions
· How would you define spiritual formation?
· The process of by which the spirit of God conforms us to the character of Christ using our
responses and disciplines whereby we seek to obey God
· Indicates we’re more than material, we have an immaterial component connected to God
· We are in process—have been will be and are being formed
· Is this consistent with character of Christ and done in the power of Christ
· What factors do you think are most important for spiritual formation?
· Honesty—sf is only as good as your capacity to be radically honest with yourself; open to
God more about my ability to be open and honest with myself and god
· Living a life with God even before living a life for God so he’s not walled off in a devotional
corner or just on Sundays but that he’s everywhere
· How important is spiritual formation to your university?
· Pretty important at least asiprationally
· Reformed Christianity which is seeking to recognize the lordship of Christ of every area of
life, cultural discipleship in every vocation and then recognizing the lordship of Christ
· Easier to think of my job as a worship and service but sf helps students realize that life is lived
with God and not just for God
· Keep the word and spirit together, so prayer is as important as the life of study
· How long has the university had a program intentionally focused on spiritual formation?
· Last 6-9, got new Chaplin, had profound shift in spiritual temperature on campus
o More students going to chapel
· What is the current staffing of this program/function? Could you share an organization
chart?
· Student success team holistically looks out for students
· What goals does the university have for spiritual formation? How intentional is the
university in its commitment to spiritual growth?
· Any Christian community will have 25% of students engaged and thriving; 50% solid
and 25% struggling
· Reaching out to the bottom 25% and helping to engage them
· What programs/structures are provided under the “umbrella” of faith or spiritual
formation?
· Does your university offer spiritual formation courses? If so, are they required for all
students to take?
· Yes and no—ministry majors and theology majors have to take it
· Aside from classes, what other activities are available for students to become actively
involved in spiritual formation (chapel, community outreach, local church membership,
etc.)? What sort of things is the university doing to promote spiritual growth?
· Dorms have different bible studies and encouraged by administration and
discipleship coordinator
· Organic stuff happening where students start own bible study and prayer group
· What do you think are some features to gauge the quality/success of a spiritual formation
among the student body? What is your opinion of the success of the university’s program
for spiritual formation? Are the goals for spiritual formation being realized?
· Extensive evaluation on courses—reflect on the relationship—captured in advisor meetings
· Meet with freshman to see where they’re at and where the campus temperature is
· As well as formal ways of self-reports and having students report how courses are affecting
them
· Never really know what’s going on with people’s hearts
· Hard to say very successful but there’s a good amount of success of forming student’s here
· Dordt was ranked by the wall street journal as #1 in student engagement in the last two years
· What, if any, assessment are you doing of a) the program’s effectiveness and b) the
progress that individual students are making in their formation? What tool(s) do you use
for assessment?
· From your observation, are students actively searching and curious about spiritual issues
and questions?
· Spiritual formation is not required
· Kingdom calling class- yes give foundation
· Mixed bag
· Students are pretty spiritually engaged
· 80-90% of students attend unrequired chapel
· prayer groups
· Sunday evening service 200-300 students
· Thursday night worship night led by students
· Encouraged in all classes as an active love and worship
· What spiritual/religious practices (church services, prayer, service to others, etc.) are
students most/least attracted to?
· Is there anything that you wish the university would do to further promote/support
spiritual formation?
· Any other comments or observations?
HAMLINE INTERVIEW (Lucy)
1. Does your university offer small groups, mentorship, accountability groups, or some
other form of group as a part of a supportive spiritual community?
Yes, supportive spiritual community comes through various groups--Hamline Gospel
Choir, InterVarsity, Spirituality Scholars, ministry internships at Hamline Church United
Methodist, SPROUT summer garden internships with Hamline Church, book studies connected
to the annual Mahle lecture in Progressive Christian Thought, Muslim Student Association
weekly prayers and programs, Hamline U Mindfulness Meditation weekly sessions, Christian
centering prayer, Jewish Student Life programs and shabbat dinners, Multi-faith STudent
Association weekly discussion group, Better Together (interfaith service group), and holiday
celebrations of Hanukkah, Ramadan, Christmas, Eid Al-Hada, Kwanzaa, Dawali, Purim, Ash
Wednesday
2. How does your university’s spiritual formation program allow students to take
ownership of their faith?
In the sense of deepening one's own tradition's understandings, which may involve 're-
imagining' or 'creative transformation' of those understandings and practices, yet in mutual
appreciation with others so that we can learn and appreciate "interfaith literacy and cooperation"
(as Eboo Patel of the Interfaith Youth Core would say). There are small numbers of students
who experience a conversation process, from their childhood religious identity (whether that's
Muslim or Christian or other) but also those who begin to understand their spirituality as a
synergy or multiple-identity sense as in "both Jewish and Buddhist". But most grow deeper in
their tradition as they mature intellectually and emotionally. One key point in ownership is
moving from a more exclusive understanding of their religious identities to a more mutually
respectful and engaging identity.
3. How does your university guide students through challenging situations?
This is a very wide question--there would be multiple opportunities: professors and
academic advisors with students, Counseling and Health staff, Religious and Spiritual life staff,
Dean of Students--really anyone in Student Affairs, Title IX staff, at many points.
4. Does your university offer/require students to participate in any spiritual disciplines?
The university doesn't require, but students have the opportunity to participate in spiritual
disciplines through Spirituality Scholars, Mindfulness Meditation, Muslim prayers, singing can
be considered a spiritual discipline as in Gospel Choir, InterVarsity's bible studies and prayer
groups, I lead labyrinth walks at various times of year, meditation and tea ceremonies and
journaling are offered each end of semester as part of the Stressfest, I also lead gratitude journal
workshops for New Student Mentors and Peer Educators and Sexual Violence educators and
other groups.
5. How does your university’s style of worship form students spiritually?
We don't have regular worship on campus--we encourage Christian students to attend
worship at Hamline Church United Methodist or neighboring Roman Catholic congregations, or
their own home churches, some students have attended non-denominational weekly worship at a
neighboring campus,
6. What kind of worship opportunities (corporate praise/worship and individual worship)
does your university offer that may contribute to students’ spiritual formation?
At various semesters, InterVarsity has offered praise services
7. How does your university incorporate prayer into students’ lives? How might this
contribute to spiritual formation?
At times we have had Christian centering prayer offerings, I teach contemplative prayer
within Spirituality Scholars. Meaningful times of prayer also are involved when we have
campus wide responses to crises or emergencies in the world. Sometimes this is done through
words, other times through other rituals.
8. Does your university offer any service/mission trips or evangelism opportunities that
allow students to apply what they have learned in their theology classes and through
meditation on God’s Word?
Over Spring break, we have several service programs which are not for Christian
evangelism/mission in a sense of converting others or witnessing--lots of students on our campus
would think of their service as "making a difference in the world" from their own diverse
religious or spiritual perspectives
HAMLINE UNIVERSITY (part 2, Lucy Koch)
1. Does your university offer small groups, mentorship, accountability groups, or some
other form of group as a part of a supportive spiritual community?
• Definitely, yeah
• Teach classes in religion and department chair, but there is also the Wesley center—the
groups are promoted and supported but the academic department
• Spirituality scholars—connects religion department to the spiritual development side
• Multi-faith alliance—bring together different traditions
• Religion specific groups for each group
• Part of one tradition to grow in that, but also more interfaith or multi-faith groups
• In the classroom—always want students to go beyond just learning facts but to engage in
existential reflection—opening yourself up to the power and potential truths of another religion
• Allows students to “borrow” aspects of other religions into their transformation
• Want students to have the imaginative insider’s view of religion—using empathy and
imagination to get inside the worldview of a different religion, facilitate this by putting students
in touch with those from that religion—meet members of a Buddhist community, visit a mosque,
etc. –know it’s a living tradition not just a text
• Allows students to keep their individuality but also to incorporate new ideas into their
religion to transform themselves
• When you have a religious identity, and are connected to a tradition, opening up to a new
tradition shows you new aspects of your own tradition and you can appreciate your own in a way
• When you encounter a new text, always be appreciative and charitable first—understand
that you have not fully understood yet—every text that has changed people has the power to
change you—but you can still critique the text while being appreciative
2. How does your university approach the topic of culture? What worldview does your
university teach?
• Commitment to trying to encounter every tradition as much as possible from the inside—
don’t start off critically-always try to understand and appreciate first
• Allows us to engage others around us
• We can’t understand the world around us, but religion allows us to understand the world
around us and also ourselves
• Every religion is dealing with the existential and profound questions
• Every time we study religion, we gain new insights and approaches to these questions
• Think along with texts so that you’re always involved in self-reflection
3. How would you define spiritual formation?
• Spirituality—difference between being religious and spiritual; be as broad as possible so
we don’t exclude any other religions; when [people are reflected on and deeply committed to the
notion that they are connected to something outside of themselves; moves beyond egocentrism to
larger realities such as the natural world, other individuals, or larger cosmic notions such as
divinity and to God; also an interior journey—introspection meditation prayer and self-reflection
so that we can undo the egocentrism and introspect to connect with those parts that aren’t
connected to ego and greed but rather compassion and love and notions connect to the soul and
its journey
• The journey that helps along with growth and learning about yourself and also connecting
with larger realities that transcend and include—the movement toward the larger whole to things
bigger than us but not separate from us
• God transcends us but also, we are all included in the divine reality
• Moving to the larger realities
The person I interviewed also suggest we look at the changing demographic of college students,
and whether or not they want spirituality to be a part of their college experience. He offered two
links for help:
http://spirituality.ucla.edu/docs/reports/Spiritual_Life_College_Students_Full_Report.pdf (page
six)
http://religion.ssrc.org/reforum/Braskamp.pdf
Interview with Crown (Abby)
Knowledge
What types of Bible/Theology classes do you require?
• We require 24 hours of “Christian Studies.” A sampling of these courses include:
Theology, Spiritual Formation, Bible (Old & New Testament, Romans), Principles of Biblical
Interpretation, Evangelism/Missions, Apologetics
Are students being taught apologetics?
• Yes, we have both an apologetics course and a “Biblical Evangelism and Missions”
course that involves a level of apologetics.
Taking Ownership of one’s faith
In what ways are students being taught how to make their faith their own?
• We have a required Spiritual Formation and Leadership course that involves students
writing out their spiritual journey, developing a plan for spiritual growth, exercising spiritual
disciplines, etc. We also require students to do “Christian Service” which involves volunteer
community involvement. Further, our chapels helps students appropriate their faith.
Spiritual disciplines
How are students given opportunities to grow in spiritual disciplines such as personal Bible
reading and prayer?
We have too numerous opportunities to relate in this short context, but yes. In addition to
items mentioned above, we have a small group ministry, personal mentoring and
discipleship opportunities for students.
Community
What does the community look like at Crown?
• Our small community allows for a high level of relationships. This allows the community to
be fairly personalized in the interaction and care of one another. I think there is a genuine
relational warmth at Crown. That said, we have all the attitudes and behaviors at Crown
that work against Biblical community too.
Are students able to be part of small groups?
Yes, in addition to floor Bible studies and ad hoc gathers, we have 1 hour a week set aside
for small group ministry which we began last year. We have about 10% of our student body
in those groups, so we’d like that to grow.
Are mentorship opportunities available?
• We indeed have strong mentoring taking place across the campus. A good number of
faculty/staff are engaged in mentoring students. We try to offer resources and training for
our mentors while keeping the ministry organic and relational in nature.
Worship
In what ways are students offered worship opportunities?
• We have chapel 3 times a week. We have additional gathers for worship on special
occasions.
Do students participate in corporate worship and prayer?
• Yes. We have required chapel, so students do participate. We also have a prayer team
that leads prayer initiatives for students. We do prayer walks (on Saturday a team went to
Minneapolis to pray for the city in light of the upcoming SuperBowl). We have prayer
groups for countries of the world that meet at different times each week.
Application
How are students able to apply their faith?
• A variety of expression of faith are found at Crown. Crown has a ministry called “Christian
Outreach and Evangelism” (CORE). CORE sponsors events like street evangelism, jail
ministry, ministry to homeless, food shelf ministry, tutoring to inner-city kids, etc.
Are there service opportunities?
• Yes. See notes above.
Can they participate in mission trips?
• Yes. We do 6-10 domestic/international missions trips a year with students. This involves
pretrip and post-trip training.
Cultural Analysis
How are students taught about other cultures and religions?
• Yes. In addition to our mission’s trips, we offer courses in world religions, intercultural
competency and a host of missions/international courses.
Are they taught how to evangelize to other cultures and religions?
• Yes, they are, though I’m not always sure they do it. We have a growing emphasis on
global cultures and connecting meaningfully with others.
RACHEL BUCK (Corban University-Chloe)
1. Does Corban offer small groups, mentorship, accountability groups, or some other form
of group as a part of a supportive spiritual community?
Big Fat Yes. Hall’s and RA’s put on bible studies. They are weekly.
2. How does your university’s spiritual formation program allow students to take
ownership of their faith?
For one, it's volunteer attendance. If you don’t want to go you don’t have to go and sit through
the sermons. It’s your own personal commitment. Missions also give you opportunity to go out
and make a difference. College in itself is a time to do that, for anybody. Mom and Dad can’t
make you go to church anymore. It all becomes your own faith experience.
3. How does Corban guide/offer support to students during challenging situations?
Prayer. Haha. They have an on-campus counseling center. They will also refer you to counselor's
in town, if need be. The general atmosphere, basically every teacher has an open door policy. The
professor’s and RA’s are always open. They enjoy talking to you and going through whatever
you need them to be there for you. You could definitely reach out to the campus ministry team
for extra prayer. With weekly meetings they always ask “how’s it going, what are you going
through?” RA’s check in regularly and ask how it’s going. That’s reverse order.
4. Does your university offer/require students to participate in any spiritual disciplines?
In my own experience we had to do similar techniques. We had to choose a discipline to do,
whether it was taking a fast from technology. The university doesn’t require you to do anything,
but they definitely encourage it. Chapel will sometimes have a theme, example, lamenting.
Individual classes will sometimes require it. Chapel is not required.
5. How does your university’s style of worship form students spiritually?
It tends to promote a more individualized spirituality. At times it can be good if you need that
alone time. Other times it isn’t so good, because it neglects group worship and prayer and hymns.
Darker lights are good for reflection. Sometimes going to worship becomes “oh lord, I’m sorry.”
Corban’s worship is very lament focus, where we show sadness. Naturally, your thoughts are
more filtered through that. It detracts from more happy, joyful worship.
6. What kind of worship opportunities, both corporate praise/worship and individual
worship, do you offer that may contribute to students’ spiritual formation? How often?
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday there is worship chapel with the group in the morning.
Thursday evenings are student run worship night. Musical RA’s will sometimes do things.
Anybody can always worship on their own. The music house is always open to go in and play
piano.
7. How does Corban incorporate prayer into students’ lives? How might this
contribute to spiritual formation?
We pray before class with quite a few professors. In chapel you sometimes get in a group of
people and pray about whatever is on your mind. You are encouraged to pray with roommate.
Individual prayer needs are highlighted to the whole student body. There is a high emphasis on
prayer. Nothing is really mandatory which is good in the sense that you are not just walking
through the motions saying, “God thank you for the beautiful day. Thank you we’re all together.
Amen.” Nothing is really set. It is much more of a individual emphasis.
8. Does your university offer any service/mission trips or evangelism opportunities that
allow students to apply what they have learned in their theology classes and through
meditation on God’s Word?
“Truck Yeah.” Big Time! Every student has to get 40 hours a year of community service. To
graduate you have to do that. We have school sponsored mission trips; big ones throughout the
summer and other ones during the school year. Probably over 20 a year. There are different clubs,
too. Homeless, SALT, etc will meet every week and do something. Every major has some which
is another 40 hours every year again where you go out in a more major specific way that is
viewed as mission work within ministry. Butt tons of it. You can’t avoid it.” MLK Serve Day. (80
hours- 40 is service and 40 is major specific. Everything you do is ministry. Some people's
ministry just happens to be in the church. It is very integrated.
9. How does Corban approach the topic of culture? What worldview does your university
teach?
Every class talks about being in the world, not of the world. Every class talks about that. How do
you be a christian and not seclude yourself but also how do you be apart of the world. Every
class talks about worldview and filters that through bible teachings. A worldview defined by the
bible. There is space within that. It is all a parameter set by the bible. I would say it is a major
thing that Corban talks about.
10. How would you define spiritual formation?
I honestly don’t have a good answer for that. I would define it very similarly.
11. What factors do you think are most important for spiritual formation?
Prayer. Definitely 100% prayer and the Bible. I think it’s better for schools. I think it’s better for
things not to be mandatory because you just go through the motions. But if you want to develop
spiritually you need to practice scripture, study, and life experiences.
12. How important is spiritual formation to Corban?
Not really. They don’t press that as much as culture and worldview. That one is more of backseat.
13. How long has the university had a program intentionally focused on spiritual
formation?
There is a class, student ministry team. Student government has a ministry team that hosts
events.
16. What programs/structures are provided under the “umbrella” of faith or spiritual
formation?
There are a lot of programs and opportunities. Mission trips, special events with speakers
(weekend conference things), retreats on the coast, worship nights, daily chapel.
17. Does your university offer spiritual formation courses? If so, are they required for all
students to take?
Yes. They are required for some majors. Biblical Spiritual Formations. (Incorporated into other
classes)
18. Aside from classes, what other activities are available for students to become actively
involved in spiritual formation (chapel, community outreach, local church membership,
etc.)? What sort of things is the university doing to promote spiritual growth?
19. What do you think are some features to gauge the quality/success of a spiritual
formation among the student body? What is your opinion of the success of the university’s
program for spiritual formation? Are the goals for spiritual formation being realized?
That’s hard. It is a pretty intimate formation, how can you really tell. In a way that’s like: how do
you gauge whether students are christian or not. At the end of the day you just don’t know. The
bible does mention things like prayer, time in the word, regular interactions with other christians,
group prayer, are things the bible talks about and all christians should want to navigate towards.
Even then, you never know who just goes through the motions or who is truly change.
21. From your observation, are students actively searching and curious about spiritual
issues and questions?
Yes, kind of. Ministry department is big on that, but that’s the kind of people we’re around. A
majority are, but there are also kids who are there for other reasons.
22. What spiritual/religious practices (church services, prayer, service to others, etc.) are
students most/least attracted to?
Most attracted to: service and prayer
Least attracted to: chapel gets thin in the middle of semester, part of that is regular, dedicated.
People struggle with the commitment or sacrifice of regular times.
23. Is there anything that you wish the university would do to further promote/support
spiritual formation?
Now I do! More emphasis on different types of formation including practices, classes. More
teaching on hymns, different types of prayer. All the goooood stuff. Missional living.
Brianna’s Notes:
Interview with Ben Taylor, Student Government Senator of Spiritual Life and Ministry Major
How important is spiritual formation in this community?
The university believes that spiritual formation is a priority in students’ lives, but that they
should be the initiators of their spiritual formation. It is not a highly important university priority
—the budget for chapel has been cut and focus has changed to cultural and leadership
development through the Leadership Development Program and student interest groups like
FORCE. There is also little support for local engagement clubs, which work to evangelize to the
community. According to Ben, there is no regulated syllabus for Spiritual Formation classes,
which makes all of the sections very inconsistent.
How does this school sponsor a supportive spiritual community?
Residence halls are a great resource for this, through bible studies and having a spiritually
minded resident assistant is important. It especially helps to be able to share faith with the people
you live with and see every day. There are also sometimes spiritually centric events. Everyone
here claims to be a Christian, therefore, all of your friends should be able to support you as well.
There are also clubs and ministries to get involved with, which can provide spiritual mentors and
friends.
Does your university offer small groups, mentorship, accountability groups, or some other form
of group as a part of a supportive spiritual community?
There are groups offered, through counseling, Spiritual Life, bible studies, and some
accountability groups started by students. These are rarely attended, as the university does
nothing to encourage them or promote them. Each student has multiple points of contact for
when they have spiritual challenges, including their RA, RD, spiritual formation staff, who are
trained to work with students with troubles, as well as student life staff, and counselors. Students
will take advantage of the resources for support they have when they find the courage.
Do you think more accountability and support groups would promote spiritual formation on
campus?
Students who want to participate in events would be beneficial, but resourcing students to start
groups themselves would help to make it more student focused, rather than focused on goals of
faculty or the university.
How does the university sponsor spiritual disciplines?
Besides chapel and the prayer and worship that are required with it, there are none. They are
difficult to enforce. Even if they are required for grades, not everyone has to be involved in it.
The disciplines of prayer, devotion, meditation and scripture reading would be beneficial to
students, if they’re not participating in them already. Encouraging students versus forcing them
to practice these disciplines are a difficult thing. Most positive learning in these experiences
must be self-motivated learning.
How do students worship on campus?
They participate in daily music in chapel and prayer. The introductory worship music is in
important transition into thinking about the Bible for the period of chapel, otherwise it may feel
like a class. If done correctly, the songs can connect to the message of chapel that week and
allow our hearts to be in the right place. Praise chapels seem more like a concert, but if the artists
incorporate the bible into these, we can receive a full worship experience. It is difficult to find
speakers that appeal to a majority of students, as some will like one type of speaker, and others
will like another. In a large group of students, there is bound to be someone that enjoys the topic
and/or speaker. It is the responsibility of the university to find quality topics, for the speaker to
present it well, and for the students to receive it.
Speakers could be more engaging by using jokes and stories, because students don’t always enter
the auditorium with the idea of worshipping God in mind. Some students may not care enough to
listen, and will be on their phones no matter what, or will leave chapel early. There is little the
university can do about this, as it is an issue of the students’ hearts.
Is required chapel a good thing?
Yes. The credit based system is a good reminder for students to be come to chapel. If students
can’t currently find a way to make chapel work into their schedule, they are either too busy, or
they view it as expendable. Problems with the current system—of students leaving early and
sitting on their phones in chapel—are worth having, because at least students make it in the door
to hear the message. Nina Barnes and Justin Jepsen work well to cater to what students need and
what they want to hear.
How is prayer incorporated?
University wide, there is prayer before and during chapel, and before class most of the time. The
university should make sure that all faculty here are taking time to pray for their students and
care about them from a Christian perspective.
What would be helpful from faculty?
Having professors engage in students' lives and how they can pray for them personally would be
incredibly helpful—this includes following up with students on how they’re doing. This should
be something teachers are doing because it is important, not because they must. Prayer can be
constant without being rote—so classes should pray if there is something to pray about,
otherwise it is monotonous.
How is biblical knowledge incorporated into the school?
Students learn about the bible through academic mandates. The required courses include
Progress of Redemption, New Testament, two old Testament, Christianity and Culture, two or
more biblical theology, and spiritual formation courses. The course topics are all important, but
delivery can prove ineffective. Classes like spiritual formation and Christianity and Culture need
to be consistent—because of little regulation of syllabi, these classes are often different for each
student taking them. They are effective, but not all students will have a positive experience in
them since they are not regulated.
Could something be added or deleted from the required biblical course material?
We have covered the bases, but professors need to teach what the course titles claim to be
teaching.
How could these classes be better executed?
Consistency is key. Some professors do well with this, others don't. Regulated syllabi and check-
ups from department chairs, and gauging student feedback is beneficial.
How does this university sponsor applications of faith, such as evangelism, mission trips, and
service projects?
We offer them but we would greatly benefit from doing them more. The university mandates
some sort of service for orientation, and during the week of Prayer and Service. This is one day
where everyone on campus is required to do service projects. Clubs may volunteer, and there are
global engagement trips--week long trips to a location to do evangelize and do a service project.
Local engagement also goes out into community to minister or participate in street evangelism;
some of the clubs works with teen groups in the community as well. Service is less of a focus,
however.
Are these initiatives effective?
Yes, in limited pockets. If there are partnerships with local organizations, there is more of a basis
to continue, and the volunteering or evangelism doesn’t depend on students to initiate it.
Should service be more of a priority here?
Students should be more aware of opportunities. Service projects could be encouraged with
academics, via an assignment (especially in ministry and bible classes) for students to see the
benefit of volunteering. However, this can lead to hazards in engaging with the community,
relationship wise. Having students come in to volunteer for a class assignment could lead to little
getting accomplished long term, as students are only trying to fulfill a requirement.
How is culture encouraged at this school?
How to balance Christian faith with engagement with American majority culture. Some
professors talk about American culture only. There is also a cultural development section of
spiritual leadership department. There is a group called FORCE, which stands for Fellowship of
Reconciling Cultures Everywhere which encourages discussions, gathering and entry point for
students of other cultures to engage with one another in a place they are comfortable. FORCE
sponsors a multicultural orientation, to give students a place where they feel transitioned into
college life, especially if they’ve come from another country. FORCE grows awareness through
Table Talks, which usually have half attendance from half FORCE members, and half members
of the rest of the student body. There are a variety of topics, and often alternative chapels with
talks related to these. There are multiple events to bring some form of cultural awareness to
campus, such as the multi-cultural festival in spring.
Is the student body accepting of other cultures and races?
They think they are, but in reality, no.
Does the general student body want to engage with force?
No. Many feel intimidating by placing themselves as a minority by engaging with FORCE,
which works with students of minority groups
.
How could we bridge the gap?
The FORCE president is a white American, the Vice President is a white missionary kid, and
third in leadership is Hispanic. Their goal is to merge students of color with other students, to
meet students in the general student body where they are at. This has been somewhat effective.
What, if any, assessment are you doing of a) the program’s effectiveness and b) the progress that
individual students are making in their formation? What tool(s) do you use for assessment?
Not much. Spiritual formation is an abstract concept here, what they do they do, what they don't
they don't. Students' faith lives are not known to the school unless made explicitly aware to them.
This is hard to measure because it is a continuous goal. Some students search for better spiritual
formation. In an estimate, 60% of students are working to better their faith, 40% are indifferent.
Instructions from Dr. Black:
1. Factors you may want to explore could include the following:
· What programs/structures are provided under the “umbrella” of “faith” or “spiritual”
formation? Where do these programs/structures reside in the “organization chart”? Who
is “in charge” of CSF?
· What courses and/or degree programs are offered to students who wish to pursue
CSF? Are any of these mandatory? Do the available course offerings cover undergrad &
graduate students & to what extent?
· Does the college/university’s commitment to CSF extend beyond chapel & Bible
courses? Have they invested in the creation of an “institute” or similar organization to
research & promote CSF? Is there evidence of a commitment to promote the CSF
efforts of the college/university to prospective students? Does the college/university
have any publications about CSF?
· What “programs” and/or activities are available for students to become actively
involved in CSF? What role & depth are evident for worship, chapel, community
outreach, world mission, local church relationships, etc.?
· To what degree does the college/university evidence intentionality in its commitment
to CSF?
2. In some cases, you may have to rely on website information for your research data.
Consider, however, the possibility of contacting sources at other
colleges/universities in person (e-mail, phone, face-to-face).
3. Develop a “rubric” for assessing the programs that you research. Who is really
“getting it done” and what differentiates them from some who may be closer to “going
through the motions”? This is essentially your view of the “best practices” (sorry; tritism!)
in the field at this time.
Definition of Spiritual Formation
The process by which the Spirit of God conforms us to the character of Christ using our
responses and disciplines whereby we seek to obey God. The importance in this process is that it
is directed by the Spirit, it is not by our own works.
Spiritual Formation is the process of being formed into the character of Christ, through our
attitudes and actions, directed by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusions:
What works:
Multiple and varying opportunities to form community
Openness to learn about differences from a secure foundation
Variety in corporate worship offered
Aspects that we could add to our spiritual formation program:
24/7 Prayer Initiative
A Prayer Labyrinth
The option of doing a spiritual discipline for a final project
More awareness about service trips
Spiritual Mentorship (Resident Assistants or Professors)
Variety of engagement
Factors we found the most important to CSF:
-We live a life with God before we live a life before God.
-We need to always work towards more student engagement in a supportive spiritual community.
-Honesty--Spiritual Formation is only as good as your capacity to be radically honest and open
with yourself and God
-Seeking to recognize the Lordship of Christ in every area of life
Contributing Factors to Spiritual Formation: Results from Student Interviews
Bethany Northwestern Conclusions
Supportive Spiritual
Community
Daily chapel, Bible
studies
Small groups, mentors,
accountability groups,
professors, RAs, and
MPs
Students need multiple
and varying
opportunities to form
community
Ownership of Faith Student’s choice to go
to chapel, counseling
for difficult
circumstances
Student’s choice to use
resources, counseling
for difficult
circumstances
While many supportive
services should be
offered, students need a
degree of autonomy.
Spiritual Disciplines Not required, and not
much is known about
them
Occasionally required
in classes, but not much
is known about them
Students could be
taught more about
spiritual disciplines in
classes.
Worship Traditional worship
services, hymns,
scripture recitation
Variety of chapels,
worship events, private
prayer rooms, Day of
Prayer and Service
Students might be
overlooking the
importance of private
worship and prayer.
Theology/Knowledge Six mandatory religion
classes
Most students have a
Bible major or minor.
Incorporating
experience and
knowledge improves
theology classes.
Application A few mission trips
annually
Student groups for local
and international
ministries trips, mission
trips over breaks
In addition to offering
mission trips, students
need to be aware of
mission opportunities.
Christian Approach to
Culture
A large foreign
exchange program
FORCE, multilingual
worship, Christianity
and Culture class
Experiences in other
cultures help students
apply a Christian
approach to culture.
Questions - Alex at St. Thomas
1. Does your university offer small groups, mentorship, accountability groups, or some
other form of group as a part of a supportive spiritual community?
Yes, there is Tommie Catholic, which is praise/worship, discussion, etc. There is also
Crew which is non denominational and does Bible study and discussion. There is also an office
of spirituality where one can talk to spiritual leaders (priest, rabbi, etc).
3. How does your university guide/offer support to students during challenging situations?
The President will send out an email to remind students to be respectful. There is also a
wellness center where students can receive help.
4. Does your university offer/require students to participate in any spiritual disciplines?
There is a chapel on campus, and confession is offered Monday through Friday, and there
is mass three times a day. There are also opportunities for students to participate in or lead an
event (adoration, rosary prayer, etc.). They are not required, though. Three theology and two
philosophy courses are required.
5. How does your university’s style of worship form students spiritually?
Receiving sacrament, confession, mass, praise in groups, events offered by clubs
7. How does your university incorporate prayer into students’ lives? How might this
contribute to spiritual formation?
They encourage prayer via the groups, but the university itself doesn’t incorporate prayer,
since the student body is so diverse. Alex wishes faith was more open but is happy it isn’t
mandatory or forced
8. Does your university offer any service/mission trips or evangelism opportunities that
allow students to apply what they have learned in their theology classes and through
meditation on God’s Word?
There are many volunteer opportunities (volunteer fair) and mission trips via the vision
office
9. How does your university approach the topic of culture? What worldview does your
university teach?
Respect is pushed by the university leaders. They teach from a Catholic perspective, but
it is not enforced.
Liberty College
● Emphasis on spiritual growth, community, and evangelism
● Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
○ Evaluate the biblical, theological, and practical foundations for spiritual
formation.
○ Assess his/her own personal, spiritual maturity by providing special attention to
areas that need improvement in his/her pursuit of sanctification.
○ Create a plan for maintaining and maturing in his/her practice of the spiritual
disciplines.
○ Analyze the lessons to be learned from prayers found in Scripture.
○ Evaluate a recent experience of sharing the gospel.
● Community - engage with other students and people via blogs, discussion posts, and
evangelism
● Knowledge - study of the Bible and what it says about our spiritual formation
● Ownership of faith/testimony - evangelism, reflecting on spiritual growth and areas for
improvement
● Application - disciplines, evangelism, spiritual growth plan
Asbury College
● “This course is first of all designed to equip students with an understanding of the need
for and the tools necessary for intentionally creating space for God to work in their
personal lives and then serving out of the abundance of one’s personal life with Jesus.”
● The goal is to develop a fuller understanding of strong spiritual leadership through
reflection, study, interaction, and personal discovery.
● Course Objectives: As a result, this course will have as its goals;
○ To provide students the opportunity to reflect on and describe their personal
spiritual journeys as a resource for understanding spiritual formation
○ To provide an academic, practical and prayerful atmosphere where a deeper
personal faith can be explored, discovered and nurtured.
○ To assist students in understanding and appreciating the strengths and weaknesses
of their
○ Myers-Briggs personality types especially in relation to their spiritual lives.
○ To help students, through their reading and classroom interaction, to analyze
carefully their own spiritual journey in order to help create a paradigm for
spiritual formation
○ To encourage students to see the historical Jesus as the model of the spiritual life.
○ Identify specific ways that spiritual formation impacts personal leadership style
and skills.
○ To provide an energizing classroom environment for discussion and application
○ To explore resources that focus on the personal spiritual life of the pastor and the
development of a personal leadership style that springs from a Christ centered
Rule of Life.
○ Clarify and implement a personal pattern (Rule of Life) for Christian discipline.
○ To increase the capacity of the individual Christian leader in the creation of a
leadership strategy to increase the spiritual life within their ministry set
● One of the assignments is to take 2-3 hours to reflect on the spiritual journey that one has
been on thus far and write down the insights and methods that have furthered you along
on your journey.
● Another assignment is to research a spiritual discipline, write a ten page paper about it,
and present it/teach it to the class
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
● Goal is to follow Christ’s example of spirituality and to connect with one’s spiritually
● One assignment is to write at least eight pages on your personal story, because it is
important to know what one’s story is in order to share it. This professor specifically
wanted to know what influenced each journey, who helped influence each journey, what
the high points were, what the low points were, and what the turning points in spirituality
were
● Another assignment is to track one’s spiritue
● Each student must research a different school or method of spirituality
●
General
● Lloyd John Olgilve, former chaplain of the Senate has said that “nothing can happen
through you that is not first happening in you.”
● Robert Quinn writes, “One key to successful leadership is continuous personal change.”
Order of presenting:
Brianna
Rebekah
Dan
Chloe
Abby
Brooke
Lucy
