Corps Spiritual Formation Plan
A Corps Spiritual Formation Plan
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
A comprehensive definition of spiritual formation is “The process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others”. (M. Robert Mulholland Jr.)
- Process
It must be stressed that this is a process and therefore moves against the grain of our instant-gratification culture. The disciple needs to be aware that spiritual formation moves at the Holy Spirit’s pace, but their responsibility is to be sensitive and available to the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives.
- Conform
Spiritual formation is the experience of being shaped by God toward wholeness. The scriptures emphasize this over and over again.
- We are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27)
- We are to become Christ-like (2 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 1:15).
- Image of Christ
There is an ongoing death to self which is a crucifying of the human nature which leads toward wholeness.
- Sake of Others
The purpose of spiritual formation is to be ultimately lived out in community. “There can be no wholeness in the image of Christ which is not incarnate in our relationships with others, both in the body of Christ and in the world.” (Mulholland)
It is vital that the disciple is involved in an intentional, ongoing plan that challenges him/her to greater Christ-likeness which manifests itself in the nurturing of others toward wholeness.
Potential Corps Benefits
When a disciple is challenged to participate in a purposeful, measurable spiritual formation plan the benefits can be numerous.
- The ongoing growth and health of the disciple.
- The modeling of a thriving Christian experience to others in the corps fellowship.
- The rising desire to participate in service for the sake of others. This can manifest itself in:
- Corps leadership
- Growing interest in selfless, behind-the-scenes work in “helps” ministry.
- Ongoing support to the Corps Officer – greater “team ministry” leadership than “lone ranger” ministry by the Corps Officer.
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