Spiritual Formation

The term "spiritual formation" is unfamiliar and sounds strange to many people, but everyone experiences it, either intentionally or by default. Every faith tradition practices it, whether they be Buddhist, Muslim, "spiritual but not religious". Even those who do not see themselves at all as "spiritual", are still being formed, body and soul.

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Christian Spiritual Formation is the intentional process of being formed into the image of Christ for the sake of others. Jeremiah 18:6 says, "Like clay in the hand of potter, so are you in my hand." Spiritual formation can be a messy process, and it's common to feel like we're on the wheel going in circles while He molds us like imperfect clay. As we learn to yield and cooperate with the process, in time, transformation does take place as God, the potter forms the performer and fashions the artist.

"Spiritual formation in the tradition of Jesus Christ is the process of transformation of the inmost dimension of the human being, the heart, which is the same as the spirit or will. It is being formed (really, transformed) in such a way that its natural expression comes to be the deeds of Christ done in the power of Christ."

~ Dallas Willard