Centre For Christian Spirituality

that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”* We experience                                       

this abundance of life – here and now – as our passions, character,

understanding, and relationships are increasingly aligned with

those of Christ. This lifelong transformation within and among us

is the continual gift of God’s Spirit. We are called to be renewed

into the likeness of Jesus – but we do not always fully embrace this

calling. Sometimes we seem content to be known as “Christians”

without intentionally engaging with this work of the Holy Spirit in

our lives. Other times we desperately long for a new way of life,

wanting to grow in our walk with Jesus, but needing help and

encouragement. We, therefore, commit to pursue passionately and

to receive joyfully God’s grace to be more fully transformed into

the image of Jesus Christ. 

history, both the source and goal of all creation. God shaped this

universe as a place where the love and life of Jesus Christ might

flourish. Because we are formed in the divine image, we have the

capacity to receive and express this life and love. Although human

disobedience corrupts the divine image in us, God still forms a

people able to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul,

mind, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves. Jesus

makes this possible through his life, death, and resurrection. In

him we experience a restored relationship of love with God and

one another, and continual transformation into his likeness. We

both the goal and the substance of life in God’s kingdom. This is

the good news we proclaim with joy to the whole world.

into the image of Christ is not a human attainment; it is a gift of

grace. God mercifully uses all our experiences, including our

suffering and trials, to teach and transform us. Even so,

transformation requires our involvement and effort. We need to

make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit’s work in all our life

experiences, particularly through intentional engagement with

historical Christian disciplines, including Word and sacrament.

These practices open us to the presence and grace of God. As a

result, we become, through time and experience, the kind of

persons who naturally express love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Matthew 11:29–30

Luke 6:40

John 7:38

John 15:5–17

Romans 12:1–2

Galatians 5:16–25

Philippians 2:12–13

Philippians 3:12–16

Titus 2:11–14

Hebrews 5:13–6:1

Hebrews 12:7–13

James 4:7–8

1 Peter 2:2

1 Peter 4:1–2

and follow Jesus and be formed into his likeness, we journey with

those who share this longing. God is calling the church to be a

place of transformation. Here we struggle to fulfill our calling to

love. Here we learn to attend to the invitations of God’s Spirit.

Here we follow the presence of God in our midst. Spiritual

community is the catalyst for our transformation and a sending

base for our mission of love to the world.

formed into the likeness of Christ, we increasingly share God’s

infinitely tender love for others. We deepen in our compassion for

the poor, the broken, and the lost. We ache and pray and labor for

are enlarged toward all people and toward all of creation.

lovers: lovers of God, lovers of people, and lovers of all creation.

We will immerse ourselves in a lifestyle that is attentive and

responsive to the gracious presence of God. We commit ourselves

to the community of Christ’s beloved, the church, so that we can

learn this way of love together. We entreat you to join us.

To Sign and/or download A Call to Spiritual Formation, go to

http://ACallToSpiritualFormation.info