RECOVERING SPIRITUAL FORMATION IN OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH COMMUNITY
Spirituality has now become such a desirable fad that every Christian faith community (whether church or Bible college) is initiating some forms of spiritual formation. Christian leaders are especially concerned about developing a holistic spirituality and integrating such intentional spiritual formation within our faith community. While many openly acknowledged the important role of spiritual formation in our faith community, yet in practice it has often been eclipsed by many other more "necessary" activities or pursuits. There is therefore an urgency to recover this "lost" spiritual formation within our Christian faith community.
Underlying Principles of Spiritual Formation
The most appropriate place to begin is to enunciate clearly the underlying principles of spiritual formation. The following five principles are initial rather than exhaustive—there are possibly other dynamics that can further fine-tune the spiritual formation of the Christian faith community.
Spiritual formation is both intentional and voluntary
First, spiritual formation is both intentional and voluntary. Alistair McGrath compares it to taking a journey to the New Jerusalem—"a process of personal development" that requires purposeful and intentional efforts (McGrath 2000, 9). As such, spiritual formation is an inner process of internalizing the Christian story of Christ that results in a transformed contemplative and active life of grace and faith under the direction of the Holy Spirit, both personally and corporately. As a process, it requires intentional effort on the human end even though it is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit. It is also voluntary because the Holy Spirit is gentle and would not force himself against the human will. The Holy Spirit only guides us into the truth (John 16:13) and expects us to cooperate in working out God's will (Acts 15:28). There is a need therefore to balance the cultivation of spiritual life—an exercise of our free will to choose and a willingness of our will to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit or be led by the Spirit (Chan 1998, 23).
Spiritual formation is holistic
Second, spiritual formation is holistic—it includes both our contemplative and active life. While contemplation and action sounds paradoxical, the failure to integrate the "creative tension between the two" in our lives often results in the tragedy of either frenzy living or escapism (Palmer 1991, 16). This is especially crucial for the Christians who are often pressurized to choose between the polarities of a "hectic lifestyle" and an "ivory-tower lifestyle". A holistic approach to spiritual formation thus helps the faith community to break free from the snare of the stereotyped yet unfulfilled life of either/or.
Spiritual formation implies spiritual direction
Third, spiritual formation implies spiritual direction. No one grows spiritually without any external helps, not even the most mature Christian (Chan 1998, 225). Spiritual direction then becomes the dynamic relationship that facilitates a mentor guiding the individual to grow in his or her experience of Christ, both individually and corporately. Therefore some form of spiritual direction is absolutely necessary to guide the individuals and the faith community to integrate theory and practice into real experience.
Spiritual formation is inclusive
Fourth, spiritual formation is inclusive. To be inclusive, spiritual formation must draw upon all resources available. These resources can be drawn from the Bible, and the rich Christian traditions around us. However, there is not a single Christian tradition that is best fit in all situations besides the Bible. Richard Foster in his book, Stream of Living Water, traces six major Christian traditions: the contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, evangelical, and incarnational traditions. Each of these traditions has something valuable on spiritual formation for us to learn.
Spiritual formation is integrated
Finally, spiritual formation is integrated. Spiritual formation should be integrated into our Christian faith community mission. Community growth and spiritual formation are one, not separate endeavors. Spiritual formation without community growth is superficial, and community growth without spiritual formation is empty. In fact, an integrated spiritual formation means that it must be actualized and visible and not simply left inscribed on some "mission statements." This is an often sadly neglected aspect of spiritual formation.
Conclusion
Our Christian faith community agenda today is often sidetracked by various issues that are of little connection with spiritual formation of the faith community, viz. offering countless activities/programs that draw the crowd, pride in variety of services available, or delusion that one's total attendance is better than others. Our Christian faith community must carefully tread through this maze and follow through these underlying principles in order to stay focused on spiritual formation.
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