Spiritual Formation

Congregations can respond to the hunger of people of all ages for growing in relationship and intimacy with God and exploring more deeply the life of the Spirit by providing formation in spiritual disciplines and practices. Churches can engage individuals and families in learning about and practicing historic Christian spiritual disciplines, and in developing a “rule of life” that allows for regular space for the practice of the spiritual disciplines. Churches can offer spiritual formation for individuals, families, and multiple generations that includes education in the spiritual disciplines and practices, retreat experiences, spiritual guides who serve as mentors on the spiritual journey, and resources on the spiritual disciplines and practices.

For strategies and ideas for "Spiritual Formation" read the section from Chapter 4 of Faith Formation 2020, pages 186-189.

Practices & Approaches

Program Resources

Chambers, Sally, Jonathon Norman, Gavin Richardson, Kyle Dugan, Craig Mitchell, Ciona Rouse, Jenny Youngman, Steve Matthews and Kara Lassen. The Way of Pilgrimmage. Nashville: Upper Room, 2007.
Dawson, Gerrit Scott, Adele J. González, E. Glenn Hinson, Rueben P. Job, Marjorie J. Thompson, and Wendy M. Wright. Companions in Christ: A Small-Group Experience in Spiritual Formation. Revised Edition. Nashville: Upper Room, 2006.
Johnson, Jan. Spiritual Disciplines Companion: Bible Studies and Practices to Transform Your Soul. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2009.
MacBeth. Sybil. Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God. Brewster: Paraclete, 2009.
MacBeth. Sybil. Praying in Color: Kids Edition. Brewster: Paraclete, 2009.
McGregor, Wynn. Companions in Christ: The Way of the Child. Nashville: Upper Room, 2006.
Yaconelli, Mark. Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.
Yaconelli, Mark. Growing Souls: Experiments in Contemplative Youth Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007.
Yaconelli, Mark. Downtown: Helping Teenagers Pray. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.

Spiritual Practices

Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life. Naugatuck: LifelongFaith Associates, 2009. (www.LifelongFaith.com) [12 Christian practices]
Living Well Children’s Workbook. Naugatuck: LifelongFaith Associates, 2009. (www.LifelongFaith.com)
Download individual chapters from the Lifelong Faith website as well as learning activities and study guides. Go to www.lifelongfaith.com.

Website
Companions in Christ: www.companionsinchrist.org

Resources

Allender, Dan. Sabbath. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009.
Barton, Ruth Haley. Sacred Rhythm: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2006.
Benson, Robert. In Constant Prayer. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008.
Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2005.
Caliguire, Mindy. Discovering Soul Care. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2007.
Caliguire, Mindy. Spiritual Friendship. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2007.
Caliguire, Mindy. Simplicity. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2008.
Caliguire, Mindy. Soul Searching. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2007.
Chittister, Joan. The Liturgical Year. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009.
Foster, Richard. Life with God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation. San Francisco: HarperOne, 2008.
Foster, Richard. Prayer: Find the Heart’s True Home. San Francisco: Harper/San Francisco, 1992.
Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. 20th Anniversary Issue. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998.
Gallagher, Nora. The Sacred Meal. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009.
Jones, Tony. The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
McLaren, Brian. Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008.
McKnight, Scott. Fasting. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009.
Redmont, Jane. When in Doubt, Sing: Prayer in Daily Life. Jane Redmont. Notre Dame: Sorin, 2008.
Rhodes, Tricia McCary. Sacred Chaos: Spiritual Disciplines for the Life You Have. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2008.
Rolheiser, Ronald. Longing for the Holy: Spirituality for Everyday Life. Plainfield: RENEW International, 2009. (www.renewintl.org)
Rupp, Joyce. Prayer. Joyce Rupp. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2007.
Thompson, Marjorie. Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life. Westminster/John Knox, 2005.
Vennard, Jane E. A Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practices. Herdon: Alban Institute, 2005.
Wicks, Robert. Prayerfulness: Awakening to the Fullness of Life. Notre Dame: Sorin, 2009.
Wilhoit, James C. Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered: Growing in Christ through Community. Grand Rapids, Baker Academic, 2008.
Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998.
Wolpert. Daniel. Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices. Nashville: Upper Room, 2003.
Wolpert. Daniel. Leading a Life with God: The Practice of Spiritual Leadership. Nashville: Upper Room, 2003.
Yust, Karen Marie, and E. Bryon Anderson. Taught by God—Teaching and Spiritual Formation. Saint Louis: Chalice, 2006.

Websites

Metamorpha: www.metamorpha.com

Online Retreat: A 34 week retreat for Everyday Life, Creighton University: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo-retreat.html

Renovare: www.renovare.us

Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation: www.shalem.org

Soul Care (Mindy Caliguire): http://soulcare.com
(Mindy Caliguire Spiritual Formation videos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=C0CEC630CFA4D9E8)

Spirituality and Practice: www.SpiritualityandPractice.com

Transforming Center: www.thetransformingcenter.org

Triptykos: www.triptykos.com

Upper Room: www.UpperRoom.org