Christian Formation Process Forming students in the image of Christ for the glory of God and the redemption of the world.
SEE IT
(Symbol)
SAY IT (Key Word)
Loving Community
Loving Transformation
Loving Mission
Holy relationships flowing from the Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit welcoming the participation of the whole human race.
Holy source of transformation through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, in his resurrection, and by the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost.
Holy service offered through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to all the world through the Church.
• The TRINITY of Father, Son, and Spirit in self-giving loving relationship is the source of all human relationality and the complete model of self-giving love.
KNOW IT
(Theological Foundation)
• The Church is the body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to worship the Father as a confessing community, rich in self-giving love and service to one another. • God is One and desires the people of God to live in unity with one another.
• The CROSS symbolizes the completed work of Christ, inaugurated by the incarnation, completed by the sacrifice on the Cross, fulfilled in the resurrection, sealed by the coming of the Holy Spirit, and extended by the Church through all coming ages. • The CROSS calls all people to full surrender and rebirth, and subsequent empowerment by the Holy Spirit for the ongoing conversion/ transformation of one’s whole life. • The complete work of the CROSS extends to the healing of the whole earth and the ultimate reign of Christ in a new Kingdom.
• The HOLY SPIRIT works in the WORLD to bring justice and mercy among humankind. • The Church is in service to the whole world (“The world is my parish”) that all nations would be gathered into the Kingdom of God. • Evangelism, witness, justice, and mercy flow from the power of the Spirit through the living Church.
Christian Formation Process Forming students in the image of Christ for the glory of God and the redemption of the world.
LIVE IT Community • •
Holiness of Heart
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Holiness of Mind
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Holiness of Worship
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Transformation
Increasing ability to give and receive love Pursuing purity of life in solitude and in community Abandoning vices and anything that diminishes or abuses others Developing holy relationships marked by trust and respect Learning faithful stewardship and sacrificial giving Increasing in ability to live in peace and joy among community
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Cultivating knowledge, wisdom, sensitivity, and skill for the practice of faithful loving obedience Guarding the mind from feeding on destructive material Sharing deepening theological reflection within the body of Christ
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Being faithful to covenantal promises even as God remains faithful Engaging in corporate worship through local church commitment Welcoming Christ-centered worship practices emerging from many cultures and traditions
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Experiencing transforming salvation Fully surrendering to God in divinely given crisis moments and as a process over time Learning what it means to personally take up the cross and follow in the way of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection Practicing personal holiness and spiritual disciplines as means of grace
Mission • • • • •
Learning to hear Scripture as the living Word of God Adopting Christ-centered thinking Experiencing renewal of the mind Entering into a lifelong process of discipleship Growing in trusting dependence on God
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Embodying the life of Christ in the midst of a not-yet-redeemed world Participating in sacramental practices of corporate worship of God in Christ Exhibiting generosity and grace in corporate worship
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Depending on the Holy Spirit as the agent of transformation Receiving the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit along with gifts and graces as the resource for mission and ministry Embracing personal holiness as witness Welcoming and caring for the weak and marginalized wherever they are found Giving one’s self to and for the lost
Developing a world view that embraces God’s heart for a lost and damaged world Seeking ways for continuous engagement with non-Christians Willing to face the great questions challenging humanity in our generation Engaging thoughtfully with the needs of an increasingly complex and diverse world
Relying upon the Holy Spirit to empower witness and mission Modeling holy community as a witness to the world Transforming communities through Spirit-led social engagement Sharing God’s love in all cultures