One of the great challenges today for the Christian community exists in the promotion of spiritual formation in our rapidly changing world. Although spiritual formation is a fundamental part of the Christian experience, the modern world presents many challenges to a healthy spiritual formation of believers. When considering the growing decline of church membership in the American church, it is incumbent upon the local church to not only understand the necessity of spiritual formation as a normative Christian experience but also to create a system that nurtures the process of spiritual formation amongst its congregants (Jones, 2023). Therefore, Christian leaders should not only develop a model from which they themselves are enriched, but this model should serve as a praxis in which their followers are also enriched. This paper will not only present such a model but will examine its implications from an ecological aspect of continuing development. This paper will also present some of the present challenges to spiritual formation that exist in modern Western society and how they might be addressed.
Developing From an Ecological Framework
When setting an external framework for a model of spiritual formation, it is necessary to recognize humanity’s existence as part of a larger ecological system. While this may seem like an odd statement for some, it is necessary to grasp that no part of human development, even spiritual, happens in a vacuum. While examining the whole of creation, one will easily discover that humanity does not exist outside of God’s creative order, but rather, humanity exists as an integral part of it. Stephen and Mary Lowe (2018) posit humanities creation as part of an interconnected ecology in which humanity lives, grows and thrives as it interacts with the surrounding world (p. 11). While this is generally understood within the natural/physical world, the same rings true for the spiritual as well. Not only are humans impacted physically, emotionally, and mentally by the natural world, but humans are also impacted spiritually by the world around them.
As one seeks to delve deeper into human growth and development from an ecological perspective, there are certain areas of influence that begin to come into view. Lowe & Lowe (2018) present such areas as a narrowing field that examines cosmic ecology, earth’s ecology, social ecology, and personal ecology. When one moves through each narrowing level presented, one will discover the vast number of “elements” that all work together to influence the development of an individual. According to Lowe & Lowe (2018), “As humans, we live in a series of nested ecologies – all of which are connected in one form or another and therefore mutually influence each other to varying degrees” (p. 22). When understanding these “nested ecologies” as part of God’s creative order, one should examine spiritual growth and development as existing within these ecologies. Therefore, when considering a model for spiritual formation, one needs to approach spiritual growth and development from a mindset of how ecological influences impact an individual. Christian leaders should seek to not only define how these influences impact an individual’s spiritual formation but also analyze how they can be used to enhance spiritual growth amongst congregants.
Implementing A Solid Foundation
As one looks to fashion a spiritual formation model, it is necessary that it is established from within the boundaries of the narrative of scripture. Rather than looking at scripture as a supplement to a spiritual formation model, scripture should be the foundation and framework of the model. Traditionally, for Christian believers, the scriptures exist as a revelation of God to humanity (Pettit, 2008). Pettit (2008) notes that for Evangelical Christians, there has generally been a high respect for the scriptures as a premise for spiritual formation. However, one must continually be mindful of the influence that the modern world has upon philosophical ideas, even within the church.
Sadly, as Pettit (2008) highlights, there are believers who have begun to allow social and cultural pressures to turn their worldview away from the primacy of scriptures (p. 34). No longer do they hold to scriptures as absolute truth, but they advance that scripture must be judged considering society and culture (Pettit, 2008). Such an idea not only contradicts orthodox Christian views of scripture, but it can also establish a new track in which an individual’s spiritual formation may run contrary to the dictates of scripture. Therefore, understanding God’s design and intent for humanity’s spiritual growth and development can only be rightfully understood through the lens of scripture. When noting humanity’s existence within God’s ecological creation, it is injudicious to examine humanity outside of the revelation of scripture.
Biblical Support
When reading through the narrative of scripture, the process of growth and development can be seen as part of God’s creative order. In examining the creation narrative itself, it is evident that God created an ecological system in which all life would grow and develop. Within this newly created ecological system, God creates humanity (Genesis 1:26-30) and gives them “authority and rulership” (Genesis 1:28) over the whole of creation (Brown et al., 1906). In his book Bible and Ecology: Rediscovering the Community of Creation, Richard Bauckham (2010) presents that humanity does not exist outside of the creative order, but humanity exists “within the context of creation as an interdependent whole” (p. 15). Although humanity has been given authority over the creation in which it exists, humanity depends upon that same creation to live and thrive (Bauckham, 2010). Therefore, as an interdependent part of God’s creative order, humanity also participates in the natural process of growth and development as God intended.
When contemplating human existence as part of the creative order, one must consider the implications of the impacts an ecosystem has on human growth and development, both physically and spiritually. Lowe & Lowe (2018) present the scriptural account of the Garden of Eden as a motif that highlights the interconnectedness that humanity has with the rest of creation. According to the scriptural narrative, God plants a garden (Eden) and places Adam within this garden (Genesis 2:8). It is in this garden where both Adam and Eve will be nurtured physically through the resources of the garden. While this ecosystem has a direct impact on both Adam and Eve physically, there are also spiritual implications as well. Lowe & Lowe (2018) express that it is within this ecosystem where Adam and Eve exhibit a spiritual connection with God through their interactions with each other and the world around them.
Although humanity will subsequently fall from its originally created position and be removed from the Garden of Eden due to sin, the fundamental concept of growth and formation within a broader ecosystem will continue. As part of God’s creative order, humanity will begin to reproduce with each successive generation growing from infancy to adulthood. It is within this natural order of birth, growth, and development that Old and New Testament authors will draw inspiration, weaving ecological patterns into their text as expressions of spirituality and its formation (Lowe & Lowe, 2018). According to Lowe & Lowe (2018), “Many biblical writers use this ecology reality to illustrate how God’s people grow spiritually in their relationship to God and to one another” (p. 37). Just as God created humans to naturally grow from birth to full maturity, God also desires for all believers to develop spiritually as they grow from the experience of the new birth into fully mature Christian believers.
The New Birth
Everyone who has lived since Adam and Eve begins their natural journey of growth and development as a newborn baby. It is from this starting point that humans commence to grow and learn as they are impacted by the world around them. While this is understood as part of the routine of human existence, this normality of creation has great spiritual implications. When moving through the narrative of scripture, most notably the New Testament, one will see the imagery of birth and infancy as a motif to highlight the need for growth and spiritual formation.
In His discourse with Nicodemus in John 3:3, Jesus states that the prerequisite for one to “see the kingdom of God” is for one to be “born again.” While this was confusing to Nicodemus as he understood this statement from a purely physical sense, Jesus gave this statement and expounded upon it from a spiritual mindset. When looking at vv. 3 in Greek, the phrase γεννηθῇ ἄνωθεν can be translated as “born from above,” which helps shape the reader’s understanding of the new birth as being a spiritual event (Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004). According to Beasley-Murry (1999), “The concept of being begotten from above is not a simple translation of becoming as a child, but an adaptation of the Jewish hope of a new creation” (pg. 47). Therefore, the image of birth is used as a motif to express the new believer as a recipient of a Spirit wrought transformation through faith in Christ’s finished work. The new believer is like that of a newborn baby who has been created anew, with a fresh new beginning before them.
Growing Up
New Testament writers express the need for believers to “grow in grace” (2 Peter 3:18). In his epistle to the believers in Corinth, Paul refers to the spiritual immaturity of the believers at Corinth and equates them to being “infants in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1). In his presentation, Paul connects with the physical nutritional needs of an infant and relays it as a spiritual principle to the Corinthian believers. He states, “I fed you with milk, not with solid food, for you were not ready for it” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, 1 Cor. 3:2). Peter draws from the same imagery in 1 Peter 2:2 when he states, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” It is clear in both verses that each author understands the need for spiritual growth, and to express that need, they each turn to the image of the infant who needs milk for growth and development.
Just as a newborn baby begins the process of growth and development shortly after entering this world, so too must a believer after they have experienced the new birth. When considering God’s creative order and the complex ecosystem in which humanity exists, it is clear that humans do not stay infants forever. As a matter of experience, infancy only lasts a short period of time as compared to the rest of an individual’s general life span. It is the norm of creation for infants to grow into children, and children are to grow into adults. While there may, at times, be genetic or environmental influences that may create abnormalities, in general, people move from infancy to adulthood. During this ascent, there are many factors which either help or hinder human physical growth. The same can be said of our spiritual growth as well. God does not intend for believers to always remain as spiritual infants. Believers should grow spiritually as they progress along in their spiritual journey.
An Outline for Spiritual Growth
Understanding the essentiality of growth and considering such growth in view of the larger ecosystem, Christian leaders should strive to create an ecosystem in which healthy spiritual formation and growth can take place. This ecosystem should promote not only a leader’s spiritual growth but also the spiritual growth of all those they lead. When seeking to outline a model for spiritual formation, it is necessary to contemplate where and how outside forces impact spiritual development and the role the church plays in an individual’s spiritual growth. Leaders should also examine the key scriptural themes that have a great impact on spiritual health and provide clear education on those topics. One must also negotiate the aspect of growth as something that transpires over a period of time as one moves from a babe in Christ to a fully mature Christian believer. Just as Paul did not rebuke every church he wrote about for being “infants in Christ,” modern Christian leaders need to acknowledge the different levels of growth and encourage those who exist at every level. Christian leaders should also promote the idea of spiritual growth as part of God’s divine order and a necessary part of the Christian experience.
Ingredients for Spiritual Formation
When considering the process of spiritual formation, it is necessary to examine the various “ingredients” that merge together to impact the spiritual development of a believer. While this paper will not present an exhaustive list of these ingredients, it will highlight a few important elements that are seemingly overlooked in the Western Christian world. Due to the influence of Modernity and the Reformation movement, western culture has experienced the growth of individualism, which has brought about a schism between the individual and the larger Christian community (Magatti & Martinelli, 2016). This schism has resulted in creating a mindset that views connections within the larger community as existing to serve the promotion of the individual self, and those same connections can be rightfully terminated when deemed limited to the individual (Magatti & Martinelli, 2016).
As a result of strong individualism, spiritual formation in the West has become centered around the individual, with the individual becoming the starting point for formation (Rios, 2020). Due to this reality, spiritual formation has become a process that begins at the center of the individual and moves outward as the individual practices a system of individual spiritual disciplines (Rios, 2020). While there is nothing wrong with seeking personal spiritual development through spiritual disciplines, one cannot ignore the reality of the influences that exist within the broader ecological systems. As stated earlier, spiritual formation does not happen in a vacuum. Rather, it happens within the context of a larger ecosystem to which we all belong. Therefore, it is necessary to consider external elements that influence an individual’s spiritual growth.
The Church as an Ecological System
When creating a model of spiritual formation, it is necessary to examine the role of the church in the spiritual development of an individual. Although Western Christian society is extremely individualistic in its approach to spiritual formation, one cannot neglect the tremendous importance the church plays in the formation of believers. Building upon the idea of God’s creative order as an ecosystem for growth and development, the church should also be viewed as a God-created ecosystem in which spiritual growth and development happen (Scott, 1981). Drawing from the words of Christ in Matthew 16:18, the church “is a divine institution that was founded by Jesus Christ to carry out His mission in the world” (Chua et al., 2017, p. 121). It is within this divinely created institution where Christian leaders should labor to see new babes in Christ grow into spiritually mature believers. In order to facilitate this much-needed growth, local churches should become ecosystems that provide community, corporate worship, and Christian education.
Community
Considering the strong individualism that permeates the Western church, it is necessary for local churches to express the great need for community within the church. In his book Vital Truth: The Convictions of the Christian Community, Nigel Wright (2015) argues for the importance of the local Christian community as he articulates just how vital the local church is in the lives of believers. Wright (2015) presents that it is through the multiplicity of local Church gatherings that the world is impacted by the gospel of Christ. However, it should be noted that not only is the outside world impacted by these community gatherings, but also those who directly participate in them are critically impacted. Within this gathering of local believers, the church becomes an “ecology of human development,” and spiritual growth flourishes (Scott, 1981, p. 149).
Within the framework of these local church gatherings, individuals encounter Christ through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Wright, 2015). It is through these powerful encounters with Christ and fellow believers that spiritual growth transpires as members of the community engage with each other. Sadly, according to Pettit (2008), many people seldom have the opportunity to experience the powerful grace of God, which is exhibited through a strong and healthy local Christian community. Due to this, Pettit (2008) states, “Actively searching for and participating in this kind of community is paramount to the Christian’s growth and development” (p. 159). It is here where local church leaders should seek to develop an ecology that will foster spiritual formation for the entirety of the local Christian community. Not only will the local church flourish spiritually inside such an ecosystem, but the ministry of the church will no doubt expand as congregants mature in Christ. This action will also help with the longevity of the local church ministry as future generations grow physically within the confines of a strong, spiritually mature community.
Corporate Worship
When considering the dynamic of a church as an ecology for spiritual development, one must also take into consideration the need for corporate worship within that community. When it comes to the practice of spiritual formation, worship is the “most spiritually formative practice” that believers can participate in (Pettit, 2008, p. 51). While individual spiritual practices have their place in the life of the believer, the practice of corporate worship within the community of believers is indispensable to Christian formation (Abernethy et al., 2015). Through the act of corporate worship, believers are spiritually formed as they participate in the liturgical practices of the church (Aniol, 2017). It is through the ongoing participation in the corporate worship activities of the church that believers are both influenced and developed spiritually.
When believers enter into corporate worship, the focus of the believer moves away from the individual self and towards God. Due to this change in focus away from the individual self, the individual places themselves in a position to experience transformation through the working of the Holy Spirit. As the church body worships together, the church body is transformed into the body of Christ. This continual action of corporate worship not only shapes the lives of its ready participants but also impacts those who drift on the fringe. Through corporate worship, both non-believers and the next generation will be influenced by the worship of the body of Christ. Christian leaders should, therefore, take note of the importance of corporate worship toward the spiritual formation of congregants and maintain it as an essential ingredient in the process of spiritual growth.
Christian Education
While focusing on Christian education in this setting, it is important to note that it is done so considering the local church. This distinction is important so as not to confuse it with the larger Christian academic community. The reason for needing a strong focus on Christian education, as it implies spiritual formation within the local Christian community, is due to the growing lack of biblical and theological knowledge among congregants. According to a piece by Albert Mohler (2003), the church in America is facing a growing problem, with many confessing church members lacking biblical knowledge. The article notes that this growing problem of biblical illiteracy stems from Christians who are “products of churches that marginalize biblical knowledge” (Mohler, 2003).
In response to this growing trend, Christian leaders should seek to provide an environment of Christian education that provides biblical and spiritual growth to congregants. When contemplating the need for spiritual growth and maturity within the church, it is incumbent to remember that this cannot be accomplished outside of the revelation of scripture. When a local congregation gives itself over to biblical illiteracy, it sets the stage for spiritual malformation. It is, therefore, obligatory for Christian leaders to promote healthy Christian education as a means of establishing strong spiritual formation within the local church.
Facilitating Spiritual Growth
When digging deeper into this model of spiritual formation, it is necessary to further explore the areas in which spiritual growth can transpire. Expanding on the ingredients for spiritual formation shared in the previous section, Christian leaders should actively explore how to foster spiritual growth within community, corporate worship, and Christian education. While there is no doubt that this context offers a vast array of areas for fostering spiritual growth, this model will specifically focus on three areas: calling, preaching, and one’s narrative. Within the broader ecosystem of the Church and the subset of community, corporate worship, and Christian education, believers can actively foster spiritual growth.
Calling
In reading the narrative of scripture from Genesis to Revelation, one will undoubtedly see that the idea of calling is a central theme. In the distinct stories of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, one will find those unique moments in which God calls upon these individuals to complete specific tasks as part of His divine will. While this list is not exhaustive, these characters highlight an idea of calling that transcends many generations. This same idea of calling is also carried out in the New Testament as we see several of the feature characters who exemplify this theme. John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-17), the twelve Disciples (Matthew 10:1-4; Luke 6:12-16), and the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-18). Luke explicitly expressed this theme when he recorded the calling of Paul and Barnabas missionaries (Acts 13:2). Luke also expressed this when recording Paul’s calling to preach to the Macedonians through a vision (Acts 16:6-10). Again, these few examples are not exhaustive, but they highlight the idea of an individual being called by God for specific reasons as a theological truth.
Expanding upon the foundation of scripture and analyzing the history of the Church, it is evident the idea of “calling” remains relevant in contemporary times. According to Pettit (2008), “The concept of ‘calling’ or ‘vocation’… has been a central theme in Christian writers throughout the centuries” (p. 197). In the early Church, calling expressed the idea of an individual being called to discipleship and community (Nel & Scholtz, 2016). While this definition of “calling” and “vocation” has experienced nuanced changes throughout the flow of history, the calling of all believers continues as both relational and functional (Nel & Scholtz, 2016). Pettit (2008) articulates the concept of the calling of believers as being called relationally to God and the community while also fulfilling a functional role by serving God and the community. Therefore, a calling exists as more than a “job” or “role” in a Christian ministry setting. A calling becomes “The place in life where God has brought you, and where in your uniqueness you can love God and love others” (Pettit, 2008, p. 216).
When considering a calling within the broader framework of this model, the Church plays a vital role in an individual’s calling and their growth within that calling. The Church community, corporate worship, and Christian education work together to facilitate the knowledge of one’s calling and provide both preparation and a platform for fulfilling one’s calling. In this setting, continued ministerial growth, development, and fulfillment transpire as individuals serve God and each other. Separating an individual from the ecosystem of the Church is equivalent to separating them from their relational and functional calling. It is, therefore, incumbent upon individuals to participate in the life of the Church in order to fulfill their calling.
Preaching
Preaching finds its foundation in scripture and is part of the Church’s missional mandate. Scriptures record the act of preaching as part of the earthly ministry of Jesus as He traveled from place to place (Matthew 4:17; 11:1, Mark 1:38, Luke 4:43). Scriptures also record the action of Christ sending His followers to preach, both pre and post His death, burial, and resurrection (Mark 3:14, Acts 10:42, Romans 10:15, 1 Corinthians 1:17). In the ministry of the early Church, as recorded in Acts, there are numerous instances in which readers witness the act of preaching as part of the normal life of the Church (5:42, 8:4-5, 9:28, 11:20, 15:35). When reading through the various Pauline epistles, it will no doubt become clear to the reader that Paul placed a great emphasis on preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21-23; 9:16, 2 Corinthians 2:12; 10:16, Galatians 1:16, Ephesians 3:8). In his second epistle to Timothy, as he seemingly looks towards the future of the ministry and the end of his own life, Paul charges Timothy to “Preach the word” (English Standard Version, 2001, 2 Timothy 4:2). When reading the narrative of scripture, especially the New Testament, it becomes clear that “preaching was the primary means that God used to transform people” (Pettit, 2008, p. 248).
The “call to preach” still exists as a mandate for the contemporary Church, and it generally makes up a large portion of the ministry of many churches. It is through the act of preparing to preach and preaching itself that the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God to bring about transformation in the life of the preacher and the hearer (Pettit, 2008). Therefore, in preaching, it is not only the hearer who experiences spiritual formation but also the preacher. As part of the community, the corporate worship service, and Christian education, preaching helps bring about spiritual development in all who participate. Within this framework, participants participate in God’s revelation through scripture, which brings about transformation as a lived experience. As part of a model of spiritual formation, believers cannot ignore or deprioritized preaching because it plays a vital role in the spiritual formation of believers.
Individual Narrative
When considering spiritual formation in the life of the Church as part of the community, corporate worship, and Christian education, one cannot negate the impact of the life stories or the narratives of the individuals who participate. Whenever readers move through the scriptures, they encounter characters who take part in scripture through their own narratives. Readers receive instruction and revelation from God through their victories, defeats, trials, and difficulties. For example, in 1 Corinthians 10:1-11, Paul presents the wilderness experiences of Israel as an example for believers to learn from so that they do not make the same mistake Israel made. Just as Paul pointed the early Church at Corinth to learn from the mistakes in the life of ancient Israel, believers today should hold to the individual character narratives of scripture as guidance for success and warnings against failure.
Expounding upon this notion in a contemporary context, believers also learn through shared experiences and personal narratives within the community. It is crucial to recognize that each community member enters the community of faith through Christ, bringing with them their unique narrative. As members of the faith community, individuals from various backgrounds and experiences serve as testimonies of Christ’s transformative work in their lives. Consequently, when considering that the Christian community consists of believers with various backgrounds and human vulnerabilities, the community becomes an amazing testimony of Christ’s grace, love, and redemptive work. Pettit (2008) articulates that it is within the united community of faith that one finds “the greatest apologetics for the deity of Christ” (p. 238). Through these narratives, believers exhibit the ability to impact the lives of others, strengthening the life and vitality of the Christian community. An individual’s story not only highlights their progression of growth and development but also serves as an example to the whole community.
The Outcome of Spiritual Formation
When constructing a model for spiritual formation, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the outcome of spiritual formation. As one maneuvers through the process of spiritual formation, a concise understanding of the outcome of the journey will encourage believers to continue in a directed manner toward growth and development. When examining the outcome of spiritual growth and development, one must allow scripture to serve as a solid and continuing foundation. Reading through the New Testament epistles, it becomes evident that the outcome for believers in terms of spiritual formation should be to reach a place of spiritual maturity.
In the epistle of James, the author expresses that through the testing of one’s faith, one can ultimately become “perfect (τέλειος) and complete, lacking in nothing” (English Standard Version, 2001, James 1:4). The Hellenistic term τέλειος, commonly denoting completion, maturity, and full development (Yeo, 2022), is used by James to convey the idea of a process of growth which culminates with the believer attaining a state of maturity or full development. James sees this growth process as continuous, finding ultimate fulfillment in the eschaton (Martin, 1988). Within this context, maturity is presented as an outcome toward which believers are progressing, and James encourages his readers to endure in light of their trials (Martin, 1988).
Keeping with the use of the word τέλειος, the apostle Paul uses the term in Colossians 1:28 when reflecting upon his ministerial calling. Expressing his desire as a minister for Christ, Paul articulates his desire to “present everyone mature (τέλειος) in Christ” (English Standard Version, 2001, Col. 1:28). The text reveals that Paul understands spiritual maturity as a distinct outcome for all believers (Foster, 2016). Furthermore, within the greater context of this epistle, Paul presents spiritual maturation as an ongoing process that comes from the grace of God through Christ (Hamm, 2013). Thus, spiritual maturation progresses as believers “are brought into deeper conformity with Christ” (Hamm, 2013, p. 188). Notably, Paul’s presentation of maturation in this epistle highlights the tension that exists between the “already” and the “not yet” (Still, 2004). This tension highlights the continuance of spiritual maturation as a current experience while anticipating its full realization, which is to come.
Similarly, in Ephesians, Paul uses the same term, stating, “Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature (τέλειος) manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (English Standard Version, 2001, Eph. 4:13). It should be noted that in the broader context of Ephesians 4, Paul’s attention is on that of the whole Church and not that of the individual (Lincoln, 1990). Such a distinction is essential when considering spiritual formation in the framework of the broader Christian community. Spiritual maturity is not only the outcome of the individual, but it is also the outcome of the entirety of the Church. It is evident that Paul not only sees the need in this context to maintain the unity of the faith as a present labor, but he also approaches the subject with an eschatological expectation. Drawing from both James and Paul, the believer continues on a path of spiritual growth and formation, progressing toward an outcome of spiritual maturity.
Spiritual Maturity
Having now determined that the outcome of spiritual formation is spiritual maturity, it is necessary to examine spiritual maturity from a scriptural context. Turning again to Paul’s discourse in Ephesians 4:13, it is evident that Paul views maturity in the framework of the person of Christ. His use of ἡλικία, translated as stature, can also be translated as age, maturity, or life span (Souter, 1917). One will no doubt see that Paul “measures” spiritual maturity in light of the life of Christ. James Samra states, “Paul viewed Christ as a standard toward which the attitudes and actions of believers were to be oriented and a norm against which they were to be measured” (2008, p. 72). In Paul’s mindset, Christ is the supreme example of what it means to be spiritually mature, and believers should look to Christ to understand how to conduct themselves in every aspect of life.
From this understanding, spiritual maturity becomes more than a growth in knowledge about Christ; it is a growth in following or imitating Christ. Drawing from Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:1, it is evident that Paul understood the great importance of imitating Christ. In his examination of Ephesians 4:13, E. D. Mbennah posits that the “fullness of Christ” highlights the idea of the Church being “filled with Christ” and “attaining complete conformity to Christ” (2016, p. 126). In this view, believers are not only complete with the presence of Christ as they live in conformity to Christ, but they also exhibit Christ to the world through how they live (Mbennah, 2016). Therefore, pursuing spiritual maturity cannot only find fulfillment in the eschaton. However, it is also a lived experience shared in the unity of the community of faith.
Another aspect of spiritual maturity is rooted in the Pauline argument of believers being conformed to Christ. In Romans 8:29, Paul states, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed (σύμμορφος) to the image of his Son” (English Standard Version, 2001). Paul’s usage of the Greek word σύμμορφος denotes the action of making “of like form with another person or thing, to render like” (Unger et al., 1996). Within this context, Paul argues that believers are formed or rendered into the image of Christ. This exact word and idea are used by Paul in Philippians 3:21 when he states, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like (σύμμορφος) unto his glorious body” (English Standard Version, 2001).
Although its usage in Philippians 3:21 is more eschatological in focus, the idea of being formed or rendered into the image of Christ still stands at the forefront. “For Paul, this future transformation shapes the goal of this present life” (Samra, 2008, p. 97). As believers look forward to the promised eschaton, they should do so with the understanding of conformity to Christ as a present transformative reality. Samra (2008) states, “To be conformed to the image of Christ is to become like Christ so that the character of Christ is manifested in the life of the believer” (p. 108). Through the transformative power of the Spirit and a believer’s participation in Christ, spiritual maturation continues until it finds its complete fulfillment at Christ’s return.
Community Role in Spiritual Formation
One of the most essential elements of spiritual formation is the community’s role as part of the process of spiritual growth. Although this paper has already touched on the importance of community in spiritual formation, it is necessary to dive deeper into just how essential the community is. When God created humanity, God never intended for individuals to live in isolation. Instead, God created humanity with the intent that humanity would expand in number and live together in unity. Although the fall of humanity brought corruption and division into human existence, God’s intent for humanity has remained. When God created the church, God intended that Christians live in unity as part of a community of believers rather than as individuals in isolation (Averbeck, 2008). Therefore, Christian leaders should strive to create an environment where the Holy Spirit can work within the community context (Averbeck, 2008).
Communal Relationships
Understanding that the Christian life is not solely an individual pursuit, examining how communal relationships affect spiritual growth is necessary. Samra (2008) articulates that having communion with Christ involves fellowship with other believers. It is within the fellowship of the community of faith where believers are impacted and formed through their relationship with Christ and their relationships with fellow believers. Averbeck (2008) presents that within this fellowship, a back-and-forth influence transpires between believers as the Holy Spirit moves upon and among them. Pettit (2008) asserts that believers, as part of the community of faith, are called to love one another while serving each other. Through the fulfillment of this calling, not only the individual experiences formation but also the entirety of the community.
As an individual participates in the community of faith, they experience maturation as they conform to Christ. Paul realized this reality and saw a believer’s participation in a local faith community as “essential for facilitating the maturation process” (Samra, 2008, p. 136). Samra (2008) states that Paul understood “participation in Christ and with one another in the local fellowship of believers as the means through which God is making them complete for the day of Christ Jesus” (p. 143). Paul understood that continuing participation in the community of faith prepared the individual for the eschaton. However, as is made evident in 1 Cor. 1:4-9, preparation for the coming of Christ is not limited to the individual but extends to the entire community (Samra, 2008). Even so, today, as believers participate in the Christian community, they are experiencing maturation as the community prepares to meet Christ.
The Local Church
When considering participation in the Christian community, it is vital to highlight the need for participation in the local church. While the local church does not constitute the whole of the Christian community, it does exist as an important part of the Christian community. As part of the global Christian community, the local church is where believers can meet to participate with each other in Christ. For Paul, the local church was essential to spiritual maturation (Samra, 2008). According to Samra (2008), Paul “expected believers’ participation in the local community to be beneficial for their maturation” (p. 133). When participating in the local church, believers meet together in Christ, and spiritual maturation occurs through the work of the Holy Spirit (Samra, 2008). Therefore, rejecting the opportunity to assemble with the local church hinders the believer’s maturation since the local church is essential to spiritual maturity.
Another facet of importance concerning spiritual maturation and the local church deals with the local church’s ministry. Understanding the local church’s necessity for spiritual maturation, one must also consider the importance of the local church’s ministry and its impact on spiritual formation. The Apostle Paul understood that the local church community was where individuals could experience “encouragement, comfort, fellowship, affection, and compassion” (Samra, 2008, p. 155). Such experiences are needful as they encourage believers throughout maturation, especially during suffering. Through the local church’s ministry, believers strengthen one another as they are joined together with Christ. Believers also participate in God’s mission as they minister to the needs of others within the local church (Barton et al., 2014). Through communal activities such as corporate prayer, corporate worship, and biblical educational programs, believers are drawn to God as part of the local church’s ministry (Barton et al., 2014). As believers join to participate together in the ministry of the local church, the local church and the participating believers all experience spiritual maturation.
Unity
When examining the larger Christian community and the local church as essential for spiritual maturity, it is necessary to consider the need for Christian unity. In examining Paul’s first epistle to Corinth, it becomes evident that the believers in Corinth struggle to maintain unity in the church. One of the significant obstacles to the maturation process of believers within the Christian community is the presence of disunity within the church. Samra (2008) suggests, “Disunity effectively destroys the Temple and nullifies the ability of God to provide growth through the community” (p. 144). For Paul, maintaining unity was an essential task for believers as it was needed for the ongoing spiritual maturation of the body. However, it should be noted that “unity for the sake of unity” is not of interest to Paul (Samra, 2008, p. 142). Instead, he desired that all believers be “unified in their actualization of the mind of Christ” (Samra, 2008, p. 142). Therefore, Christian leaders should strive to maintain unity by encouraging believers to seek the “mind of Christ” as one united body.
Spiritual Formation and Technology
When considering a spiritual formation model in the modern era, one must consider spiritual formation in light of modern technologies. The dynamic growth of the Internet and global connectivity over the last several decades necessitates examining how an individual’s spiritual growth can be affected by internet connectivity. Heidi Campbell and Stephen Garner (2016) present a threefold view of technology: optimism, which sees technology as a tool for positive change; pessimism, which warns of the potential dangers and negative impacts of technology; and ambiguity, which acknowledges the complex and often unpredictable effects of technology. Understanding these viewpoints is crucial as they highlight challenges and mindsets that can impact the efficacy of employing technology in a spiritual formation model. Despite these challenges, it is undeniable that the Internet and digital media are the future wave. Therefore, it is necessary for Christian leaders to establish methodologies in which currently established and burgeoning technologies can be implemented to facilitate spiritual formation in the lives of believers.
Internet as Community
Throughout this paper, community has been expressed as a fundamental necessity in spiritual growth. It is therefore necessary to acknowledge the Internet and its various elements as a digital community in which many participate. Whether browsing websites, watching videos, posting on Facebook, or scrolling through Twitter, users actively participate in an online digital community. According to Lowe & Lowe (2018), “People naturally yearn for and seek out community, which may explain why the Internet has become such a positive and popular contribution to online social development” (p. 79). In this community, individuals from various backgrounds and locations can interact together digitally, much like individuals who interact physically (Lowe & Lowe, 2018). However, it should be noted that “Some scholars have not embraced virtual community as a replacement for physical community” (Lowe & Lowe, 2018, p. 82).
While not a full replacement for physical community, the online community has become an important aspect in the daily lives of many individuals. It is within the online community where people can connect with others through multiple avenues of communication to build binding and lasting relationships. Lowe & Lowe (2018) posit that, in some instances, digital communities help to foster a deeper dialogue between their participants. For example, online Bible study groups have allowed individuals from different locations to engage in meaningful discussions about faith, enriching their spiritual lives. Due to the more decentralized nature of online communities, individuals are more prone to connect with other individuals based on personal interests rather than connections based on traditional social norms (Campbell & Garner, 2016). “Online communities exist as loose social networks where members have varying levels of affiliation and commitment” (Campbell & Garner, 2016, p. 65). As individuals of like interest and passions join together in community, they shape and develop communal relationships which can have lasting impacts upon all who participate in the community.
According to Campbell & Garner (2016), the Internet has opened the door for Christian believers to interact inside and outside the traditional church setting. While this paper has previously explored formation through the interactions between believers in the traditional church community setting, examining the online interactions that transpire outside of the church setting is crucial. Recognizing that formation happens as part of the interaction between participants in a community; it is essential to contemplate how online communal interactions contribute to spiritual development. As believers share communal interactions outside of the church via internet technologies, they are not only impacted spiritually but also impacting the spiritual lives of others. Lowe & Lowe (2018) suggest that through intentional communal interactions and engagements, spiritual formation will take place.
Facilitating Formative Online Communities
When acknowledging the role that the Internet can play in the spiritual formation of believers, Christian leaders should seek to create online communities that help facilitate believers’ spiritual growth. Lowe & Lowe (2018) present the need for leaders to develop what they label “a learning ecology” where the process of learning can be facilitated online just the same as it would in a physical environment (p. 88). A’ learning ecology’ can be created by establishing a structured online platform that encourages interaction and discussion, providing resources for spiritual growth such as online Bible studies and devotionals, and ensuring a supportive and respectful environment for all members. They suggest that learning ecologies should be created with a “certain proficiency with systems and strategies that can enhance, sustain, and facilitate that system” (Lowe & Lowe, 2018, p. 91). When developing such an ecology, leaders should maintain a focus on the need for deep human interaction and how such interaction can be facilitated with technology. Lowe & Lowe (2018) caution readers not to allow developing technologies to replace human interactions, but they should use technologies to bring people together in the community.
Considering the importance of human interaction as an essential aspect of online spiritual formation, it is necessary for Christian leaders to actively promote the creation of online communities and provide online resources to help facilitate spiritual growth. Campbell & Garner (2016) highlight the reality of believers seeking communal interactions outside of the church through the Internet and social networking. Due to the desire to connect with individuals of similar faith, shared values, and shared interests, believers can connect and interact with believers from various global locations and contexts (Campbell & Garner, 2016). Through these possible communal interactions, individuals can gain experience and insight from others, which could positively impact their local church community (Campbell & Garner, 2016). Rather than replacing the local church community, an online Christian community can enhance it.
Spiritual Formation and Digital Media
Seeing the possibility of the Internet and Digital Media as tools to assist in spiritual formation, Christian leaders should seek ways to implement these tools to help believers in the maturation process. Campbell & Garner (2016) present the Internet as a conduit for delivering information and content. From this position, the Internet is neither good nor bad; instead, it is an avenue in which content can be shared between a sender and a recipient. Although there are terrible elements that one can access on the Internet, there is still the possibility of its usage for positive change. Christian leaders should seek to promote and publish wholesome content that helps to produce spiritual maturation in recipients. Through online digital media, believers can evangelize non-believers, promote spiritual maturation, and participate in the Great Commission (Campbell & Garner, 2016).
Social Media
Over the last two decades, one of the most significant developments in online technologies has been the creation of social media. The development of tech giants like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube has transformed online connectivity and the dissemination of information. This transformation has facilitated more excellent connectivity with people outside the physical boundaries of modern generations and the ability to access vast amounts of information almost instantly. While this new reality has created great scrutiny about the negative implications of such technologies, it has also presented tremendous opportunities for Christian evangelism and outreach. Lowe & Lowe (2018) report that Millennials are turning to online content to address their spiritual questions, with over 50% of professing Christians turning to online videos with faith-based content. Due to this reality, Christian ministries should seek to harness the tools of social media in order to reach, connect, and engage believers and non-believers effectively.
Using social media platforms, Christian leaders can play a pivotal role in fostering spiritual maturation through digital connectivity. Lowe & Lowe (2018) present social media as an ecological framework where people have interconnecting and reciprocal interactions that help bring about transformative growth in participants’ lives. In this online ecological framework, interactions between participants produce influences that impact the individuals involved and the groups to which they belong (Lowe & Lowe, 2018). Through these social media connections, growth and formation occur as individuals interact and influence one another. Therefore, Christian leaders should examine how social media and similar technologies can aid in participants’ spiritual formation. Such practices will not only help spiritual maturation within the local Christian community, but they will also help believers mature spiritually all over the globe.
Conclusion
When examining spiritual formation from an ecological perspective, one will see that the idea of growth and development exists as part of God’s creative order. When God created humanity, He did so within the framework of an ecological system that would support and foster their growth. Following the pattern established by God, Christian leaders should seek to create an ecology in which believers can find support and help as they spiritually mature. Through the promotion of the importance of the Christian community and the need for individuals to participate in the Christian community, Christian leaders can help encourage spiritual maturation among participants. With the use of the Internet, digital media, and social media, Christian leaders can assist the spiritual maturation of believers around the globe as part of the fulfillment of the Great Commission and the Church’s missional mandate. In embracing an ecological approach to spiritual formation, Christian leaders can help cultivate spiritual maturation in the lives of believers as the Church reaches toward spiritual maturity.
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