The church as an agent of spiritual formation: the integrated roles of teaching, relating, and experiencing in the overall program of the local church

John E Butterfield

Etd

The church as an agent of spiritual formation: the integrated roles of teaching, relating, and experiencing in the overall program of the local church

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

John E Butterfield. The Church As an Agent of Spiritual Formation: the Integrated Roles of Teaching, Relating, and Experiencing In the Overall Program of the Local Church. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/04ae414c-6f71-4012-9e8b-497a946ed31b.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

J. E. Butterfield. The church as an agent of spiritual formation: the integrated roles of teaching, relating, and experiencing in the overall program of the local church. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/04ae414c-6f71-4012-9e8b-497a946ed31b

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

John E Butterfield. The Church As an Agent of Spiritual Formation: the Integrated Roles of Teaching, Relating, and Experiencing In the Overall Program of the Local Church. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/04ae414c-6f71-4012-9e8b-497a946ed31b.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

John E Butterfield

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In Copyright

Abstract

This work concerns the role and effectiveness of the local church in the Christian formation of believers. In doing so, the influence of culture, both past and present, is considered. The church, due in part to the influence of modernism, has approached discipleship in a 'consumer driven' fashion. Churches tend to function as religious cafeterias, focusing on the perceived needs and wants of religious consumers. Generally, discipleship in the local church has become haphazard and unintentional in regards to process and outcome. The author offers an approach that is integrated, simple, and biblical. The approach advocates the integration of the three components of intentional teaching, relating, and experiencing in every program of the local church, so as to efficiently promote Christian formation in the lives of believers in a balanced, holistic way. Scripture and the practices of the ancient church support an integrated, holistic approach to Christian formation. The three components of intentional teaching, relating, and are included as central elements of the spiritual maturation process in the Old and New Testaments, as well as in the early church. These components form the core of the integrated strategy. The results of the study enable churches to address two primary issues regarding Christian formation First, from the church's point of view, every program or meeting offered by the church becomes an agent of spiritual growth. Intentional teaching, authentic relationships, and meaningful experiences are employed in different ways in different settings, but the people are purposefully exposed to Christian discipleship at every level of church programming. Second, from the believer's perspective, every person involved in churches using this strategy are able to grow spiritually in an environment that is biblical, balanced, and efficient. Biblical spiritual growth provides a firm foundation for life. A strategy that is balanced enables believers to see the inherent authenticity that Christianity brings to all of life. An efficient strategy enables believers to grow spiritually while being good stewards of their time. The church has a responsibility to enable believers to engage in biblical, balanced spiritual growth, but the church must do so without becoming the center of attention. The believer's focus must remain on God and neighbor so as to worship whole-heartedly and minister faithfully.

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