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Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered: Growing in Christ through Community
Most books on spiritual formation focus on the individual. But spiritual formation is at the heart of the church's whole purpose for existence. It must be a central task for the church to carry out Christ's mission in the world. This book offers an introduction to spiritual formation set squarely in the local church. The first edition has been well received and widely used as a textbook. The second edition has been updated throughout, incorporates findings from positive psychology, and reflects an Augustinian formation perspective. Foreword by Dallas Willard.
- GenresChristian
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2022
21 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
James C. Wilhoit
20 books7 followersJames C. Wilhoit (PhD, Northwestern University) is the Scripture Press Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where he has taught for thirty years. He has authored numerous books, including Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 15, 2025
While Wilhoit offers some good insights on how to grow in christlikeness, the book is incredibly busy and even tangential at times. Also, the title is misleading; this book is much more focused on individual growth, rather than corporate growrh.
July 26, 2022
Born in Seattle, Washington, James C. Wilhoit has served on the faculty of Wheaton College since 1981. Currently, he serves as the Scripture Press Chair of Christian Formation and Ministry. His extensive academic achievements include a Ph.D. from Northwestern in Religion, an M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, a Master of Religious Education from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from the University of Washington in History (Wheaton College, (Wheaton, IL), http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Facu... (accessed July 15, 2020).
The aim of the author is to stress that spiritual formation is the task of the church (p. 15). Without would take the same theological position as Dallas Willard that the task of the church to be on the "Mission of Christ" is to see believers become formed into the image of Jesus Christ. For the author, everything flows out of 'Christian Spiritual Formation' which refers to the intentional communal process of growing in our relationship with God and becoming conformed to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit (p. 23). The progression is a community first and then growth (p. 183). The church is to create environments in which confession and repentance can take place and people feel safe to admit personal brokenness which manifests itself with the entire church communally confessing their brokenness (p. 184-185). for spiritual formation to be communal it must be (1) intentional; (2) require our engagement; (3) accomplished by the Holy Spirit; (4) is for the glory of God and in the service of others; and (5) has as its means and end the imitation of Christ (p 23).
Without hallmark in this book is to propose a "Spiritual Curriculum" that has four dimensions to Community Formation. They are: (1) Receiving, which is cultivating openness and continual repentance and the practices that would support communal growth would be Confession, worship, sacraments, and prayer. (2) Remembering, which transformational teaching leads to a deep awareness of being part of God's community and his beloved children. The practices that encourage remembering would be teaching, preaching, evangelism, meditation, spiritual guidance, and small groups. (3) Responding, that is fully committed to the conviction that our formation occurs for and through service. The practices that support this are discernment, honoring relational commitments, setting aside prejudices, and ministries of compassion. (4) Relating, that has a conviction that our formation takes place in and through the community. Practices that nurture formation are hospitality, handling conflict, well, honoring relationships, Sabbath observance, and attending to the pace of life (p. 50).
Some of my thoughts related to the application of the material in this book is that it is a great practical reader for leaders in a local church to develop a 'Spiritual Curriculum' for their local parish. Without does cover this in the book all of this flourishes when there is an orthodox understanding of God (revealing Himself in the Trinity), Scripture is inspired, and sin is the culprit behind a man or woman being distanced from God. Grace is that which changes everything. I also am convinced that there is a passion birthed from a pastor's heart to more regularly practice such things as the "Eucharist" which is an act that invites a grace already given to be upon the community of faith and it postures the community to receive, remember, respond and relate in the context of community.
I highly recommend this book and it is a great read for any local leadership team or eldership team and pastoral team to navigate through in order to create a culture that is committed to Christian spiritual formation.
The aim of the author is to stress that spiritual formation is the task of the church (p. 15). Without would take the same theological position as Dallas Willard that the task of the church to be on the "Mission of Christ" is to see believers become formed into the image of Jesus Christ. For the author, everything flows out of 'Christian Spiritual Formation' which refers to the intentional communal process of growing in our relationship with God and becoming conformed to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit (p. 23). The progression is a community first and then growth (p. 183). The church is to create environments in which confession and repentance can take place and people feel safe to admit personal brokenness which manifests itself with the entire church communally confessing their brokenness (p. 184-185). for spiritual formation to be communal it must be (1) intentional; (2) require our engagement; (3) accomplished by the Holy Spirit; (4) is for the glory of God and in the service of others; and (5) has as its means and end the imitation of Christ (p 23).
Without hallmark in this book is to propose a "Spiritual Curriculum" that has four dimensions to Community Formation. They are: (1) Receiving, which is cultivating openness and continual repentance and the practices that would support communal growth would be Confession, worship, sacraments, and prayer. (2) Remembering, which transformational teaching leads to a deep awareness of being part of God's community and his beloved children. The practices that encourage remembering would be teaching, preaching, evangelism, meditation, spiritual guidance, and small groups. (3) Responding, that is fully committed to the conviction that our formation occurs for and through service. The practices that support this are discernment, honoring relational commitments, setting aside prejudices, and ministries of compassion. (4) Relating, that has a conviction that our formation takes place in and through the community. Practices that nurture formation are hospitality, handling conflict, well, honoring relationships, Sabbath observance, and attending to the pace of life (p. 50).
Some of my thoughts related to the application of the material in this book is that it is a great practical reader for leaders in a local church to develop a 'Spiritual Curriculum' for their local parish. Without does cover this in the book all of this flourishes when there is an orthodox understanding of God (revealing Himself in the Trinity), Scripture is inspired, and sin is the culprit behind a man or woman being distanced from God. Grace is that which changes everything. I also am convinced that there is a passion birthed from a pastor's heart to more regularly practice such things as the "Eucharist" which is an act that invites a grace already given to be upon the community of faith and it postures the community to receive, remember, respond and relate in the context of community.
I highly recommend this book and it is a great read for any local leadership team or eldership team and pastoral team to navigate through in order to create a culture that is committed to Christian spiritual formation.
April 27, 2022
An explication of "Christian Spiritual Formation" (CSF) and what it can do for the church and faith.
The author sets forth the premises of "Christian Spiritual Formation": the importance of receiving, remembering, responding, and relating, and how the practices and disciplines involved in the faith shared collectively can help form and shape Christian faith and witness. Seven practices are discussed which can be fruitful in discipleship.
A bit Reformed at times, but overall a great resource for considering how to cultivate faith and grow disciples. Very highly recommended.
**--galley received as part of early review program
The author sets forth the premises of "Christian Spiritual Formation": the importance of receiving, remembering, responding, and relating, and how the practices and disciplines involved in the faith shared collectively can help form and shape Christian faith and witness. Seven practices are discussed which can be fruitful in discipleship.
A bit Reformed at times, but overall a great resource for considering how to cultivate faith and grow disciples. Very highly recommended.
**--galley received as part of early review program
November 9, 2024
Best book I’ve read on spiritual formation/discipleship. So many good insights on scripture and practice.
April 30, 2025
Really solid read on spiritual formation! Found it very helpful!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews