Foundations of Spiritual Formation takes a unique approach to its subject, arguing that we become like Christ in the context of authentic, Christian community. Without undermining individual Bible study, private prayer, and meditation, the authors emphasize these pursuits for the purpose of both personal and community enrichment, that the whole body, as well as the individual, may be built up.

Part 1 lays the foundations of spiritual formation. Jonathan Morrow develops a distictively evangelical theology, while Richard Averback writes about worship. Then Gordon Johnson and Darrell Bock delve into the text of Scripture, grounding the pursuit of spiritual formation in revealed truth.

Part 2 focuses on functional aspects of spiritual formation. Klaus Issler emphasizes the importance of the heart in spiritual formation, and Reid Kisling illustrates the vital connection between character development and spiritual formation. Bill Miller explores love's role as the motivation for spiritual formation. Andrew Seidel examines servant leadership, and George Hillman extends the discussion to include the significance of calling. Gail Seidel discusses personal narrative as a catalyst for spiritual formation, and in closing, Harry Shields advocates the public preaching of the Word as a tool for spiritual formation.

About the Author

Paul Pettit (D.Min) is director of the spiritual formation program at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is author of Congratulations, You're Gonna Be a Dad; Congratulations, You've Got Tweens; and Dynamic Dads.