The Local Church Was Made for Formation

This essay says churches without spiritual formation are like apple pies without apples. But strangely, many local churches have other goals instead. How can we bring formation into these churches? This question is important but ill-formed. Better: How can we join Jesus in the work he’s already doing in these congregations?

And the church really does matter for spiritual formation. According to this book, familial community in Christ is the essential context for Christian maturation. What’s most important isn’t better programs, but a culture of formation—a culture characterized by prayerful openness to the power of God’s grace to transform lives.

But what, more specifically, is the role of the local church in spiritual formation—and to what extent should spiritual formation be its focus? And why to that degree? This conversation features five Christian leaders who have thought deeply about these questions. Think about your church as you absorb this discussion. ⁱ

i.   C. S. Lewis has tempter Screwtape comment on how we do not see the Church as God does–“spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners…–a spectacle which makes our boldest tempters uneasy.” We are still apt to think that as long as the person next to us sings out of tune or has odd clothes or a double chin their religion must be ridiculous. We are far too easily fooled.