Dallas Willard was an American philosopher also known for his writings on Christian spiritual formation. In his book on the formation (or lack thereof) of Christian disciples in the modern age, entitled The Great Omission, Willard asserts:
For at least several decades the churches of the Western world have not made discipleship a condition of being a Christian. One is not required to be, or to intend to be, a disciple in order to become a Christian, and one may remain a Christian without any signs of progress toward or in discipleship. . . The governing assumption today, among professing Christians, is that we can be ‘Christians’ forever and never become disciples.
That is quite an indictment of the Christian community. Willard is saying that we have made this faith into an idea to be considered rather than a life to be lived.
Being formed as disciples takes intentionality and practice. Those of you who were in worship or joined us on-line this past Sunday, heard me say that the mass of my adult life has been spent chewing on the two fundamental questions of why and how within our faith life. “Why” refers to the purpose of our faith; what is the point to this faith. “How” refers to the process that reaches our purpose.
Over these weeks of summer you will hear Pastor Dan and I talking about those two questions: why and how. I believe that our faith is intended to make us into particular people; to shape our lives in particular ways. I further believe that the task of the Christian community is to help us to become those people.
I hope this series will lead into two opportunities that I would encourage you to consider taking part in:
1. Reflecting on the fundamental virtues that God has planted in your heart.
On Saturday, September 7th from 9 to 11:30 a.m., we will gather to reflect on what it means to be guided by particular virtues and which virtues will shape us.
2. Becoming part of a group to reflect on our lives of faith.
Small groups reflecting on how “to urge one another on to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24) is central to who we are as United Methodists. I believe small group formation is the “method” that makes us Methodist. For TGIW this fall, I would like for you to consider being a part of reflection on your spiritual life with me. I will gather some groups to discuss these ideas of formation and how we are formed in faith.
I know you have a lot of options for your faith development and there are some wonderful TGIW classes every year. I hope you will consider being a part of the groups that I would like to see form. If you have any questions about either opportunity, please call, text, or email me. I would love to speak with you more about them.
Pastor Tom