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This coming year marks 30 years since
a resurgent wave of interest in spiritual
formation began with the publication of
Richard Foster’s “Celebration of
Discipline.” In those 30 years, with
books by Dallas Willard, J.I. Packer and
many others whose insightful books
remain on our shelves, we have
witnessed a greater sensitivity and
hunger toward the priority of spiritual
intimacy and growth in our own
discipleship programs with our
missionary candidates.
a resurgent wave of interest in spiritual
formation began with the publication of
Richard Foster’s “Celebration of
Discipline.” In those 30 years, with
books by Dallas Willard, J.I. Packer and
many others whose insightful books
remain on our shelves, we have
witnessed a greater sensitivity and
hunger toward the priority of spiritual
intimacy and growth in our own
discipleship programs with our
missionary candidates.
Exploding interest in Spiritual Formation and its accompanying literature declare our
former assumptions outdated: candidates no longer enter with the spiritual maturity,
Biblical background, or core foundation we once thought mandatory.
It’s obvious that the worlds of Christian mission and Spiritual Formation must be
bridged for God’s desire for the nations to be realized. Some would even say that
true Spiritual Formation only takes place in the context of missional living. The same
God that draws worshippers to Himself, soon sends them out into missions.
Similarly, the God that sends His disciples into mission is the God that draws us into
ever deepening intimacy with Him. Fully following God in either stream should lead
to the other.
Yet, our own journeys give us pause. It doesn’t always seem to happen that way.
The two can get separated. Greater spiritual intimacy and maturity do not always
accompany lifetimes in missions. If they continue apart, mission by itself often
leads to burnout and almost a legalistic pursuit of the task. Spiritual Formation by
itself can become narcissistic; it becomes all about me.
NMTF’08 will provide a forum in which churches, agencies and schools can explore
the following questions:
former assumptions outdated: candidates no longer enter with the spiritual maturity,
Biblical background, or core foundation we once thought mandatory.
It’s obvious that the worlds of Christian mission and Spiritual Formation must be
bridged for God’s desire for the nations to be realized. Some would even say that
true Spiritual Formation only takes place in the context of missional living. The same
God that draws worshippers to Himself, soon sends them out into missions.
Similarly, the God that sends His disciples into mission is the God that draws us into
ever deepening intimacy with Him. Fully following God in either stream should lead
to the other.
Yet, our own journeys give us pause. It doesn’t always seem to happen that way.
The two can get separated. Greater spiritual intimacy and maturity do not always
accompany lifetimes in missions. If they continue apart, mission by itself often
leads to burnout and almost a legalistic pursuit of the task. Spiritual Formation by
itself can become narcissistic; it becomes all about me.
NMTF’08 will provide a forum in which churches, agencies and schools can explore
the following questions:
- How can churches, schools and agencies together nurture the process of
Spiritual Formation in every member? - How can your organization strengthen its efforts to augment this obvious need?
What are the resources that are available to help us in this process? - How can Spiritual Formation once again become a core value of your church,
agency or school’s missionary preparation and training efforts? - What outcomes can we pray for in spiritual formation in missions? What will
more fully formed and consistently growing missionaries look like and what will
be the resulting ministry impact?
January 24-26, 2008
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