James Bryan Smith - A Spiritual Formation Workbook: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth

Foreword

For some time I participated in two Spiritual Formation Groups simultaneously and was immeasurably enriched by both experiences. The first group was composed of only myself and one other person, the author of this book. The second included myself and three other individuals.

In the fall of 1988, Jim Smith and I started meeting just to see how a nurturing fellowship of mutual accountability might work. I cannot tell you how encouraging and fun-filled those first meetings were: we laughed at our foibles and rejoiced in our successes; we prayed; we made confession; we brought the grace of forgiveness; we made mutual covenants; we challenged and encouraged each other. They were high, holy, hilarious times.

In time, Jim and I were led to study many small-group movements, such as the Benedictines in the sixth century, the Franciscans in the thirteenth century, the Methodists in the eighteenth century, and Alcoholics Anonymous in the twentieth century. We also began developing a balanced vision of Christian faith and practice and a practical strategy for spiritual growth.

The second group came a bit later, and now a third has developed, but each has been equally encouraging. Why do I continue to be in Spiritual Formation Groups? Briefly, let me explain why they mean so much to me.

First, I like the sense of community. None of us is supposed to live the Christian life alone. We gain strength and help from others.

Second, I like the nurturing character. The rule for our weekly gatherings is a good one: give encouragement as often as possible; advice, once in a great while; reproof, only when absolutely necessary; and judgment, never.

Third, I like the intentionality. Our purpose is to become better disciples of Jesus Christ. Everything is oriented around this single goal.

Fourth, I like the loving accountability. I need others to ask hard questions about my prayer experiences, temptations and struggles, and plans for spiritual growth.

Fifth, I like the balanced vision. To be baptized into the great streams of Christian faith and practice helps free me from my many provincialisms.

Sixth, I like the practical strategy. I want and need realistic handles that actually move me forward into Christlikeness.

Seventh, I like the freedom and the fun. These groups encourage discipline without rigidity, accountability without manipulation.

I enthusiastically recommend this workbook to you. It is the fruit of extensive study and research into group dynamics and the nature of spiritual development. It also has the ambience of those early meetings Jim and I had together. And though I have moved some distance from Jim geographically and we are no longer able to meet together, I still remember well those early days of high, holy hilarity!

Richard J. Foster

Introduction

WHAT IS R ENOVAR ?

R ENOVAR (Latin meaning to renew) is committed to the renewal of the Church of Jesus Christ in all her multifaceted expressions. An infrachurch effort, it focuses on helping bring renewal to local churches.

The mission of R ENOVAR is to provide individual churches and their members with a balanced, practical, effective small-group strategy for spiritual growth. These Spiritual Formation Groups give depth to our desire for God and increase the level of our discipleship. While it is impossible to measure spiritual growth, those who have been part of a Spiritual Formation Group for a six-month trial period describe a marked change in their lives. One woman notes, Since I started a group with one other woman in my church, my life of discipleship has grown one hundred percent.

A pastor of a large inner-city church has been developing Spiritual Formation Groups in his church since 1989 because he feels that they are an indispensable tool of discipleship for the end of the twentieth century. His goal is to have every member of his church in a Spiritual Formation Group by the year 2000.

WHY DOES THE R ENOVAR PLAN AID SPIRITUAL GROWTH?