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The Shape of Our Lives: A Field Guide for Congregational Formation
Desire. Conviction. Character. Story. Practice. Institution.
The Shape of Our Lives digs into how these six factors—often operating beneath our consciousness—profoundly affect our spiritual formation, both as individuals and congregations.
As Christians across America grapple with the value and purpose of church, this accessible volume provides a roadmap for exploring what motivates and forms us. The Shape of Our Lives equips readers to look beneath the surface, understanding the forces impacting our formation. The book lays a theological and practical foundation for congregations and communities to be transformed more into the image of Christ.
How does a community of people—with their different and sometimes competing values—grow together? How can congregations make room for God’s spirit to be at work?
The Shape of Our Lives will give you and your Christian community the language to renew these conversations and embark on the journey of congregational formation.
"In these times of disillusionment with church, there could not be a more timely book. “ --David Fitch, Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary
The Shape of Our Lives digs into how these six factors—often operating beneath our consciousness—profoundly affect our spiritual formation, both as individuals and congregations.
As Christians across America grapple with the value and purpose of church, this accessible volume provides a roadmap for exploring what motivates and forms us. The Shape of Our Lives equips readers to look beneath the surface, understanding the forces impacting our formation. The book lays a theological and practical foundation for congregations and communities to be transformed more into the image of Christ.
How does a community of people—with their different and sometimes competing values—grow together? How can congregations make room for God’s spirit to be at work?
The Shape of Our Lives will give you and your Christian community the language to renew these conversations and embark on the journey of congregational formation.
"In these times of disillusionment with church, there could not be a more timely book. “ --David Fitch, Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary
125 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2024
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March 25, 2026On the search for a good, concise, readable book on spiritual formation that I can read with my students as a kind of "textbook" or reference for their leadership and I think this one comes really close to being it:
- about 160 pages with spaciousness on the page
- lots of discussion and reflection questions throughout and clearly designed to be read and discussed in community
- offers a simple framework of the forces of formation (these authors suggest six main ones: desires, convictions, character, stories, practices, institutions)
- about $22 on Amazon
I would not recommend this book if you want to learn about spiritual formation. It's way too brief and a lot of ideas go underdeveloped (this book raises more questions than answers, and I think that's the point). In community, however, this would provoke a lot of meaningful discussions. With key leaders that might have a say on the shape of a church community or Christian fellowship, I think this could be very good. I might try it with my students this summer.
- about 160 pages with spaciousness on the page
- lots of discussion and reflection questions throughout and clearly designed to be read and discussed in community
- offers a simple framework of the forces of formation (these authors suggest six main ones: desires, convictions, character, stories, practices, institutions)
- about $22 on Amazon
I would not recommend this book if you want to learn about spiritual formation. It's way too brief and a lot of ideas go underdeveloped (this book raises more questions than answers, and I think that's the point). In community, however, this would provoke a lot of meaningful discussions. With key leaders that might have a say on the shape of a church community or Christian fellowship, I think this could be very good. I might try it with my students this summer.
Displaying 1 of 1 review