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STIR: Spiritual Transformation in Relationships
A fresh approach to spiritual formation!
In the past, church leaders have turned to small groups or other kinds of discipleship programs to encourage spiritual growth in their churches. Yet, despite good intentions, the deeper experiences of spiritual transformation they had hoped for remained elusive.
STIR calls church leaders to reclaim an essential biblical truth ― that the process of spiritual growth is more than a one-size-fits-all program; it happens best through intentional relationships with others in the body of Christ.
Three distinct, sequential stages of spiritual development typically occur as people mature in their spiritual walk with Christ, and they need different kinds of relationships to support their growth through those different seasons. STIR describes those stages ― learning together, journeying together, and following together ― and shows how progress through these stages is best made in the context of relationships that change in nature over time.
In the past, church leaders have turned to small groups or other kinds of discipleship programs to encourage spiritual growth in their churches. Yet, despite good intentions, the deeper experiences of spiritual transformation they had hoped for remained elusive.
STIR calls church leaders to reclaim an essential biblical truth ― that the process of spiritual growth is more than a one-size-fits-all program; it happens best through intentional relationships with others in the body of Christ.
Three distinct, sequential stages of spiritual development typically occur as people mature in their spiritual walk with Christ, and they need different kinds of relationships to support their growth through those different seasons. STIR describes those stages ― learning together, journeying together, and following together ― and shows how progress through these stages is best made in the context of relationships that change in nature over time.
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First published September 24, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 5, 2017
Great introduction to the role of relationship in spiritual formation. Helpful for church leaders.
March 15, 2019
She gave three steps for building an healthy group. I think it was simple and very landed for every human's need.
May 17, 2018
In STIR, Mindy Caliguire advocates for a change in local churches to support discipleship transformation through relationships rather than programs. Caligure describes three stages in spiritual transformation: 1) Learning together, 2) Journeying together, and 3) Following together. When believers begin their spiritual walk with Christ, they need highly directive relationships with other believers who are farther along than them, but as they move from stage one, to two, and to three, they begin to need highly discerning relationships. Many churches experience little discipleship because they attempt to aid believers' transformation by throwing programs and curriculum at them. Rather, churches need to reset their approach and cast vision for intentional relationships that foster growth. Caliguire not only gives instruction for how to identify which stage people are in, but she also gives practical advice for how to be the one directing and discerning in these relationships.
While reading this book, it became as much of a devotional read to me as it was informative. During one of the chapters, the Holy Spirit connected with my heart that I've been in a season for the past year and a half that I hadn't realized. Personally, it's made me pray more for close friends to truly share my life and heart with. I also appreciate that Caliguire emphasizes the need for growth and transformative discipleship to take place our entire lives. Mature believers need relationships that keep them going just as much as new believers do. From the perspective of a Discipleship Pastor, this has caused me to ask the question, "In the discipleship structure of our church, how can we make it less about curriculum and more about connecting people in Christ-centered relationships?".
This book is a quick read and good for getting the conversation started. It would be a great book to give to lay leaders (or staff) who are involved in leading any sort of community groups in your church, such as small group leaders.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Link to Book: http://zondervan.com/9780310494829
** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
While reading this book, it became as much of a devotional read to me as it was informative. During one of the chapters, the Holy Spirit connected with my heart that I've been in a season for the past year and a half that I hadn't realized. Personally, it's made me pray more for close friends to truly share my life and heart with. I also appreciate that Caliguire emphasizes the need for growth and transformative discipleship to take place our entire lives. Mature believers need relationships that keep them going just as much as new believers do. From the perspective of a Discipleship Pastor, this has caused me to ask the question, "In the discipleship structure of our church, how can we make it less about curriculum and more about connecting people in Christ-centered relationships?".
This book is a quick read and good for getting the conversation started. It would be a great book to give to lay leaders (or staff) who are involved in leading any sort of community groups in your church, such as small group leaders.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Link to Book: http://zondervan.com/9780310494829
** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews