|
|
|
|
Most of us are familiar with St. Paul’s admonition in scripture: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind …” (Romans 12:2). Okay, so you’ve heard it before, but just what does it look like? What does a spiritually formed person look like? What characterizes their lives, their lifestyles, their thinking? How do spiritually transformed people behave in the market place that is distinctly different from their pre-christian peers? Forget about what they claim to believe … how do they behave? What is their attitude about sin? How do they relate to sinners? Do they even relate at all? What is their commitment to market place excellence - the kind of excellence that Daniel or Joseph displayed? What is it about them that causes Christianity to be so compelling and attractive that people want to know about the Jesus that they serve?
For too long the message of the church has been “DON’T CONFORM.” Consequently, we find ourselves with a lot of folks who can tell you what they don’t do, but who are at a loss to show what they actually DO. Not conforming becomes pretty shallow if, in the end, we are not formed into something beautiful. Here is what Paul told the Christians at Galatia, “What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people” (Galatians 6:15). Prior to having written those words, the passionate plea of this pastor is found in Galatians 4:19, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” He speaks of a second travail. The first travail was the initial birth of Christ in their lives - this second travail (again) was needed. Listen to this verse again:
“Oh, my children, how you are hurting me! I am once again suffering for you the pains of a mother waiting for her child to be born - longing for the time when you will finally be filled with Christ”(Galatians 4:19-TLB).
2008 is the year in which God waits in anticipation for us to advance in the process of being spiritually formed. Allow me to share with you some keys for holistic formation:
* SEVEN ELEMENTS OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION
- Worshipping God intimately and passionately
- Engaging in spiritual friendships with believers
- Pursuing faith in the context of family
- Embracing intentional forms of spiritual growth (prayer, fasting, bible memorization, meditation, etc.)
- Serving others
- Investing time and money in God’s Kingdom and spiritual pursuits
- Having faith-based conversations with outsiders
Again, we know that the process of formation is at work when we are becoming “new and different” people. The outcome can be measured because we are: (a) Thinking, based on a Biblical worldview, (b) Loving: a genuine love for people - insiders and outsiders, and (c) Listening: the ability to listen to God and to others.
My prayer is that 2008 will be a great year of spiritual formation for you!
With Expectation,
Chester L. Mitchell
Lead Pastor
* The Brana Research Group
|
| |
 Chester L. Mitchell - Lead Pastor
Capital Community Church
Ashburn, Virginia 20147
Web: www.capitalcommunity.org
Chester L. Mitchell is the pastor and founder of Capital Community Church, in Ashburn, Virginia. In 1996, Pastor & Sis. Mitchell stepped out in faith and started a new work in an elementary school. Since then, CCC has grown to a new facility and multiple services. Their ministry of great vision and an incredible passion for people, continues to grow a thriving church in Northern Virginia.
Web: www.chestermitchell.org |
|
|
The article attachment DOWNLOAD and RATING features are only available to website subscribers. You must
LOGIN with your subscription credentials for this website.
|
|
 |
| |
Local congregations, 11.15.08 - 11.22.08 (Muskogee Phoenix)
AME PETERS CHAPEL, African Methodist Episcopal, 7902 Fern Mountain Road. Information: 687-4438. ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH CENTRAL, 1801 Baltimore St. Information: 683-3221 or http://www.churchcentralmuskogee.com. |
| |
Church Briefs (Oroville Mercury-Register)
Editor's Note: The deadline for church briefs and happenings is 5 p.m. Wednesday prior to publication. |
| |
Church Briefs (The Salisbury Post)
First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., will host the Celebration Singers from Alamance County at the 10:55 a.m. worship service Sunday. Als ... |
| |
Local congregations, 11.08.08 - 11.14.08 (Muskogee Phoenix)
AME PETERS CHAPEL, African Methodist Episcopal, 7902 Fern Mountain Road. Information: 687-4438. |
| |
Obama election shows deep racial divide in church (The Washington Times)
The barrier-crossing election of Barack Obama did little to bridge the deep racial divide in American churches. In fact, some clergy say it has only served to underscore their differences. |
| |
Bruce Wilson: Katherine Harris Was in Sarah Palin's Spiritual Warfare Network (HuffingtonPost)
[vote up on digg] Katherine Harris became notorious for her role in the U.S. 2000 presidential election when Harris, then Florida's Secretary of State, ordered... |
| |
Bruce Wilson: Palin's Movement Urges 'Godly' To 'Plunder' Wealth of The 'Godless' (HuffingtonPost)
A new 36 page report ( read online / PDF file / some of the highlights of the report ), from an independent research team... |
| |
Bruce Wilson: Palin's Spiritual War Network Partners With Homeland Security (HuffingtonPost)
In a few days, Americans will vote for the next president and vice president of the United States. A new 36 page report [read online... |
| |
Bruce Wilson: Sarah Palin linked to Second "Witch Hunter" (HuffingtonPost)
If Mary Glazier's claim, that Palin joined her prayer-warfare group almost two decades ago, is true it raises the possibiity that Sarah Palin personally participated... |
| |
Hispanic Protestants swinging back to Democrats (AP via Yahoo! News)
On Sunday mornings, Rose Chavez volunteers to greet people at New Hope Christian Fellowship Church, a Hispanic congregation that worships in the renovated former headquarters of a meatpacking company on the outskirts of town, surrounded by fields of cabbage and corn. |
| |
|
|
