Spiritual Formation
What is spiritual formation? How does one know if he or she is spiritually formed?
According to George Barna, Christians are confused about spiritual formation. Jennifer Riley, in an article for Christian Post on Barna's latest research, reported that a "significant portion" of born-again Christians could not describe how "their church defines spiritual maturity."
Further, Barna's research concluded that pastors struggled to give definition to "spiritual maturity" -- which is the goal of spiritual formation.
So -- what is spiritual formation? How does it work? What are the components that lead people to become spiritually mature? And -- how do we measure spiritual maturity? Do you measure it by faithfulness in church attendance? How about tithing? Or serving? Or, is it measured by orthodox views on the Bible or theology?
It is a challenging enterprise -- this whole spiritual formation thing. I am working on a document right now for my church that addresses this relevant topic. It has been truly challenging for me. I am trying to be more specific than I have ever been in addressing this issue.
I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Friday, February 06, 2009
Glorifying God by Following The Jesus Way . . .
Our church is learning to embody the truths of this thematic statement. It is more than just a statement. In fact, I think it represents the essence of what Christianity is all about.
God has created us in His image (Genesis 1:26-28). Human beings have been given this precious gift! We can bear the image of God in His world. However, Genesis 3 relates the story of mankind's rebellion against God. Thus, the image of God has been marred in humanity as a result of sinfulness. Our ability to bear God's image has been damaged.
Further, Isaiah 43:7 reveals that we have been created for God's glory. Again, our ability to reflect God's glory in His world has been short-circuited by our sinfulness. Hence, Paul can say that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!
Enter Jesus. He fully manifested the glory of God (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1-3). He perfectly reflects God's image. In fact, Jesus is the radiance of God's glory. He is the exact representation of His being.
Jesus is the Way (John 14:6). He is The Way to God. His Way is The Way to live. His Way is The Way to reflect God's glory. As we embrace the Jesus Way, we experience the power of God in our lives so that we can progress from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
Following the Jesus Way leads to true life. It leads to a life conformed to the image of God's Son. It leads to a life that can be truly connected to purpose and meaning.
I hope you will join us as we are Glorifying God by Following the Jesus Way!
Our church is learning to embody the truths of this thematic statement. It is more than just a statement. In fact, I think it represents the essence of what Christianity is all about.
God has created us in His image (Genesis 1:26-28). Human beings have been given this precious gift! We can bear the image of God in His world. However, Genesis 3 relates the story of mankind's rebellion against God. Thus, the image of God has been marred in humanity as a result of sinfulness. Our ability to bear God's image has been damaged.
Further, Isaiah 43:7 reveals that we have been created for God's glory. Again, our ability to reflect God's glory in His world has been short-circuited by our sinfulness. Hence, Paul can say that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!
Enter Jesus. He fully manifested the glory of God (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:1-3). He perfectly reflects God's image. In fact, Jesus is the radiance of God's glory. He is the exact representation of His being.
Jesus is the Way (John 14:6). He is The Way to God. His Way is The Way to live. His Way is The Way to reflect God's glory. As we embrace the Jesus Way, we experience the power of God in our lives so that we can progress from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
Following the Jesus Way leads to true life. It leads to a life conformed to the image of God's Son. It leads to a life that can be truly connected to purpose and meaning.
I hope you will join us as we are Glorifying God by Following the Jesus Way!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The local church can . . .
. . . send missionaries - That's right, the local church can actually send missionaries! The local church is uniquely positioned to do just that. Our church has just commissioned our first missionary. We have set up a Sending Council. We have re-formatted our missions resources. We have developed a comprehensive approach to missiology. We have made a commitment to be a supportive, pro-active missional congregation.
. . . collaborate with others in missions - We haven't had to throw out the baby with the bath water to accomplish this. We are still supporting our traditonal missions enterprises. We still give financially to various boards and agencies that have historically received our missions dollars. We also have partnered with some key churches to develop a collaborative effort in this missions endeavor. We are committed to significant partnerships in order to pool our resources when possible in order to accomplish the advancement of the kingdom.
. . . develop glocal strategy - We also haven't had to sacrifice our local church and missions efforts in order to begin sending missionaries. As a matter of fact, our local commitments are growing. We are working to accommodate our church's growth in the midst of focusing our efforts on the world's needs. I believe this is the blessing of God!
. . . do whatever God leads you to do - Yes, I believe you can do whatever God leads you to do. The local church is the center of God's activity in the world. He has chosen to work through the church. What a privilege for us! We are "in on" what God is doing! That is an awesome truth and it brings serious responsibility with it. We must be good stewards of God's blessing.
Your local church is a special place. Your church can . . .!
Blessings,
Dennis R. Wiles
. . . send missionaries - That's right, the local church can actually send missionaries! The local church is uniquely positioned to do just that. Our church has just commissioned our first missionary. We have set up a Sending Council. We have re-formatted our missions resources. We have developed a comprehensive approach to missiology. We have made a commitment to be a supportive, pro-active missional congregation.
. . . collaborate with others in missions - We haven't had to throw out the baby with the bath water to accomplish this. We are still supporting our traditonal missions enterprises. We still give financially to various boards and agencies that have historically received our missions dollars. We also have partnered with some key churches to develop a collaborative effort in this missions endeavor. We are committed to significant partnerships in order to pool our resources when possible in order to accomplish the advancement of the kingdom.
. . . develop glocal strategy - We also haven't had to sacrifice our local church and missions efforts in order to begin sending missionaries. As a matter of fact, our local commitments are growing. We are working to accommodate our church's growth in the midst of focusing our efforts on the world's needs. I believe this is the blessing of God!
. . . do whatever God leads you to do - Yes, I believe you can do whatever God leads you to do. The local church is the center of God's activity in the world. He has chosen to work through the church. What a privilege for us! We are "in on" what God is doing! That is an awesome truth and it brings serious responsibility with it. We must be good stewards of God's blessing.
Your local church is a special place. Your church can . . .!
Blessings,
Dennis R. Wiles
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The Local Church - A Laboratory for Life
I love the local church!
I was born into a family that attended a local church. I had no choice in the matter. My parents took me to church. I learned to love the church at a very young age. I was led to Christ through the life and witness of my parents and through the faithful witness of a local church. I was discipled in a local church. I was called to preach in a local church. I was married in a local church. I was ordained to the ministry in a local church. I have been preaching in a local church since 1983. I love the local church!
As I think about it, the local church is like a laboratory for life. I have been equipped for life because of faithful Christians who gave their time, gifts and energy to people like me. As an adult, I am learning how to live the Christian life through my local church. I am learning about fellowship, maturity, love, grace, worship, friendship, vocation -- and many other things -- through the life and testimony of a local church.
I love this image of a laboratory. Ingredients are being mixed into my life that will enrich me and make be a stronger, better follower of Christ. As I invest my gifts through the local body of believers, I am growing in my understanding of applied Christianity. It is not a journey in abstracts -- it is a real journey in real life.
The church is the perfect place for these lessons. It is uniquely gifted by God for such a task. Praise God for the church!
Next time . . . The Local Church - A Laboratory for Missions
Blessings,
Dennis R. Wiles
I love the local church!
I was born into a family that attended a local church. I had no choice in the matter. My parents took me to church. I learned to love the church at a very young age. I was led to Christ through the life and witness of my parents and through the faithful witness of a local church. I was discipled in a local church. I was called to preach in a local church. I was married in a local church. I was ordained to the ministry in a local church. I have been preaching in a local church since 1983. I love the local church!
As I think about it, the local church is like a laboratory for life. I have been equipped for life because of faithful Christians who gave their time, gifts and energy to people like me. As an adult, I am learning how to live the Christian life through my local church. I am learning about fellowship, maturity, love, grace, worship, friendship, vocation -- and many other things -- through the life and testimony of a local church.
I love this image of a laboratory. Ingredients are being mixed into my life that will enrich me and make be a stronger, better follower of Christ. As I invest my gifts through the local body of believers, I am growing in my understanding of applied Christianity. It is not a journey in abstracts -- it is a real journey in real life.
The church is the perfect place for these lessons. It is uniquely gifted by God for such a task. Praise God for the church!
Next time . . . The Local Church - A Laboratory for Missions
Blessings,
Dennis R. Wiles
Thursday, September 28, 2006
The local church and the sent church
Do you remember the days when missions in local Baptist church life consisted of collecting three special offerings per year and giving a portion of the budget to missions through the Cooperative Program? Remember when we trusted the "professionals" to do missions for us?
Perhaps I am exaggerating to make a point. But -- you know what I mean. Many Baptist churches did missions vicariously. It was a 20th-century model that served us well in many regards. However, those days are over. The fundamentalist juggernaut that rolled through the Baptist family has forever changed the denominational landscape. Other factors contributed to the sweeping changes we have witnessed in the past 25 years as well. For many Baptists, the root system of the Cooperative Program (namely, trust) has been destroyed as we have seen too many bodies strewn along the road on the path to power and control.
As difficult as it all was to watch and experience, God remains enthroned and the Gospel of Jesus Christ remains empowered! God is raising up a different kind of local Baptist church in this generation. Many of us in the local church setting are embracing the changes and sensing the movement of God's Spirit among us.
What I am witnessing and experiencing is a revival of the doctrine of ecclesiology specifically as it relates to missiology. At the core of this discussion is the question: How does the local church relate to the sent church?
I would suggest you read Patrick Johnstone and Ralph Winter for helpful and wise insight in this area. I am finding myself studying Acts and the letters of Paul searching for clues to assist me as I lead my church to become increasingly personally invested in the Great Commission. Churches across the world are addressing this issue. I am encouraged by what I see and the conversations I am having in this regard. More and more churches are stepping up to the plate and sending missionaries, teams, businessmen/women across the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
I believe a new wave of missions is forming out in the sea of the not-to-distant future.
What do you think?
Do you remember the days when missions in local Baptist church life consisted of collecting three special offerings per year and giving a portion of the budget to missions through the Cooperative Program? Remember when we trusted the "professionals" to do missions for us?
Perhaps I am exaggerating to make a point. But -- you know what I mean. Many Baptist churches did missions vicariously. It was a 20th-century model that served us well in many regards. However, those days are over. The fundamentalist juggernaut that rolled through the Baptist family has forever changed the denominational landscape. Other factors contributed to the sweeping changes we have witnessed in the past 25 years as well. For many Baptists, the root system of the Cooperative Program (namely, trust) has been destroyed as we have seen too many bodies strewn along the road on the path to power and control.
As difficult as it all was to watch and experience, God remains enthroned and the Gospel of Jesus Christ remains empowered! God is raising up a different kind of local Baptist church in this generation. Many of us in the local church setting are embracing the changes and sensing the movement of God's Spirit among us.
What I am witnessing and experiencing is a revival of the doctrine of ecclesiology specifically as it relates to missiology. At the core of this discussion is the question: How does the local church relate to the sent church?
I would suggest you read Patrick Johnstone and Ralph Winter for helpful and wise insight in this area. I am finding myself studying Acts and the letters of Paul searching for clues to assist me as I lead my church to become increasingly personally invested in the Great Commission. Churches across the world are addressing this issue. I am encouraged by what I see and the conversations I am having in this regard. More and more churches are stepping up to the plate and sending missionaries, teams, businessmen/women across the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
I believe a new wave of missions is forming out in the sea of the not-to-distant future.
What do you think?
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
GCPN
There is a fresh new wind blowing in missions. It is not all that new, actually. Many church leaders are searching for more meaningful ways to involve their people in missions. The days of writing a check to a denominational agency and vicariously living out the Great Commission through that agency are over.
It is a new day in missions!
I believe we need a network of churches growing in community and partnership in the missions task. Global Connection Partnership Network (GCPN) is one attempt to create such a community. GCPN is a church-based approach that will offer churches an opportunity to become partners in a global strategy aimed at reaching the world for Christ.
How are we going to accomplish this? How are we going to launch this new network? How are we going to develop strategy? How are we going to create opportunities for community?
These questions -- and many more -- are being addressed right now through conversations between pastors and missions leaders in our state. We are supportive of what currently exists in Texas Baptist life -- e.g., WorldconneX, Partnership Missions. However, some of us believe we need a church-based entity that will assist churches in sending missionaries and developing global strategy.
One thing that is going to happen -- a group of Texas Baptist churches are going to be hosting a Missions Rally at First Baptist Church of Arlington on November 12, 2006. This rally is held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the BGCT in Dallas on November 13-14. We will have several seminars that afternoon beginning at 3:00pm. The Rally will begin at 7:00pm in our Sanctuary. There is much to celebrate. God is at work through our churches as we are seeking to respond to the challenge of the Great Commission.
You are invited! Spread the word!
There is a fresh new wind blowing in missions. It is not all that new, actually. Many church leaders are searching for more meaningful ways to involve their people in missions. The days of writing a check to a denominational agency and vicariously living out the Great Commission through that agency are over.
It is a new day in missions!
I believe we need a network of churches growing in community and partnership in the missions task. Global Connection Partnership Network (GCPN) is one attempt to create such a community. GCPN is a church-based approach that will offer churches an opportunity to become partners in a global strategy aimed at reaching the world for Christ.
How are we going to accomplish this? How are we going to launch this new network? How are we going to develop strategy? How are we going to create opportunities for community?
These questions -- and many more -- are being addressed right now through conversations between pastors and missions leaders in our state. We are supportive of what currently exists in Texas Baptist life -- e.g., WorldconneX, Partnership Missions. However, some of us believe we need a church-based entity that will assist churches in sending missionaries and developing global strategy.
One thing that is going to happen -- a group of Texas Baptist churches are going to be hosting a Missions Rally at First Baptist Church of Arlington on November 12, 2006. This rally is held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the BGCT in Dallas on November 13-14. We will have several seminars that afternoon beginning at 3:00pm. The Rally will begin at 7:00pm in our Sanctuary. There is much to celebrate. God is at work through our churches as we are seeking to respond to the challenge of the Great Commission.
You are invited! Spread the word!
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