Why spiritual formation?
In his book Forgotten God, Francis Chan says the Spirit is more obviously active in places where people are desperate for Him, humbled before Him, and not distracted by their pursuits of wealth or comforts like we are. He states, “The light of the American Church is flickering and nearly extinguished, having largely sold out to the kingdoms and values of this world.” At Experience Faith, we believe spiritual formation is one of the keys to creating desperation and humility before God. We seek to put aside the distractions and cravings of the culture around us to connect deeply with our Creator. We believe spiritual exercises or disciplines forming us into maturity are the key to this ongoing connection with God.
Igncian of Loyola said about the Spiritual Exercises: “the conquest of self and the regulation of one's life in such a way that no decision is made under the influence of any inordinate attachment” concluding that spiritual direction is to be, “a context for this vital freedom to grow.”
Spiritual directors help guide us through the exercise, journeying with us as we learn to develop the habits we need to experience what Romans 12:2 calls the inside-out transformation or renewal of our minds.
For a list of spiritual directors, we currently recommend Renewing Life Center
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual direction is an interpersonal relationship where we learn how to grow, live, and love in the spiritual life. It involves a process where one person helps another person begin to grow in their understanding of what God is doing and saying.
A spiritual director has a gift of discernment and a sense of being established in God, without the need for domination or control.
The goal of spiritual direction is spiritual formation — the ever-increasing capacity to live a spiritual life from the heart. A spiritual life cannot be formed without discipline, practice, and accountability. (Henri Nouwen)