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Cruciformity, Differentiation, And Christian Spiritual Formation, David Hooper
Cruciformity, Differentiation, And Christian Spiritual Formation, David Hooper
Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry
This paper is an examination of two seemingly counterintuitive concepts in Christian spiritual formation. The concept of cruciformity presents the goal of spiritual formation as kenosis, or “emptying oneself of self.” The differentiation of self, as presented in Systems Theory, defines maturity as possessing a clear sense of self. Cruciformity, with its call to kenosis, does not seem to value individuality, making it susceptible to the trappings of enmeshment that emerge from an unbalanced focus on others. Cruciformity seems to judge differentiation as being too balanced, reserving for itself a degree of self-focus that would be deemed inappropriate. It is …
Developing A Spiritual Leadership Curriculum At West University Church Of Christ, Daniel Mcgraw
Developing A Spiritual Leadership Curriculum At West University Church Of Christ, Daniel Mcgraw
Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry
In the fall of 2015, I worked with a small group of congregational members to develop a spiritual leadership curriculum for the West Houston Church of Christ. Many of the congregation’s leaders were feeling a sense of burnout and weariness in ministry. They yearned to deepen their own connection with God to energize their ministry. This article relates the history of the congregation before the intervention, outlines the process of the intervention, from its theological underpinnings to the development of the curriculum, and finally, examines the efficacy of this intervention.