What is Spiritual Formation?

“Spiritual Formation is the process of being formed
in the image of Christ for the sake of others. “
M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.

Being formed in the image of Christ is life-long work and it happens gradually. People of faith are called to a journey of transformation. We need companions to help us become persons desiring to live a life in the Kingdom of God, here and now in our contemporary world.

We desire to strengthen the local church by coming alongside clergy and other leadership to provide ongoing spiritual formation opportunities to small groups, local churches, districts, conferences and other assemblies of people of faith.

Spiritual Formation opportunities might include:

  • Gathering and encouraging clergy (online and eventually in person)
  • Providing Spiritual Directors/Companions for clergy and laity in church leadership
  • Leading retreats for church staff and/or church lay leadership
  • Launching, supporting and monitoring small groups to companion one another on their spiritual journeys in local churches and districts
  • Providing guest speakers for gatherings
  • Leading workshops on spiritual disciplines and ancient practices of the church
  • Providing training and retreat leadership related to grief and healing
  • Providing spiritual care for clergy and laity whose churches are in the midst of conflict, transition or closure

Racial Healing: Repairing the Breach

“Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.” (Isaiah 58:12)

As people of faith grow closer to God through spiritually formative and contemplative practices, we become aware of our call to become repairers of the breach, confronting barriers that divide us.

Racial Healing offerings might include:

  • Providing Qualified Administrators of the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory) to groups who desire to understand and increase their intercultural competence
  • Facilitating Sacred Conversations to End Racism
  • Equipping District, Conference and other assemblies of faith Dismantling Racism/Racial Healing Teams
  • Cultural Humility training
  • Creating opportunities for UMC and AME Clergy to form and deepen relationships
  • Facilitating events that bring together diverse groups of people to intentionally form relationships
  • Convening small groups to watch videos and discuss books that create space for conversation, and promote intercultural competency and racial healing
  • Offering Implicit Bias Training opportunities
  • Providing Intercultural Coaches to individuals, groups, congregations and faith- based organizations