FORMATION AND TRANSFORMATION
What do we mean
by formation?
Christian formation is the lifelong, grace-received journey of participation in Jesus Christ.
It is the Holy Spirit’s work among the Father’s people, drawing us more deeply into the life of the Son. Scripture renews our understanding. Prayer opens our lives before God. Baptism joins us to Christ, anointing consecrates us for service, and the Lord’s Table gathers us in thanksgiving. This life takes shape in worship, obedience, communion, reconciliation and witness.
Formation embraces the whole journey. Transformation, sanctification and holiness name inseparable realities within it.
Formation
The whole journey of participation in Christ.
Formation begins with God’s initiative. The Father calls us, the Son shares His life with us, and the Holy Spirit makes that life living and fruitful within the gathered Church. We receive before we respond. Grace awakens repentance, faith and obedience, then carries us into the world as witnesses to Jesus Christ.
Read Galatians 4:19; Romans 12:1–2Transformation
The real change taking place within that journey.
Transformation names the renewal that becomes visible as Christ’s life is formed in us. The Holy Spirit reshapes desire, understanding, relationships and action. We learn to behold the glory of the Lord, receive His truth, walk in His wisdom and speak His Name with awe and joy.
Read 2 Corinthians 3:18–4:6Sanctification
The Holy Spirit’s consecrating and holy-making work.
God sets His people apart for Himself and conforms us to Jesus Christ. Sanctification reaches the life we actually live: our bodies, loves, habits, speech, service and relationships. It is received in communion with Christ and embodied within the Father’s household as a royal priesthood under our Great High Priest.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24; 1 Peter 2:9–10Holiness
Holiness begins with God.
He is holy in majesty, beauty and love. Through Christ, He brings us near and makes us His own. Holy living grows from belonging to Him: lives offered in worship, truth spoken with mercy, bodies given for service, and a people whose shared life bears witness to the Lord.
Read Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15–16ONE GRACE-RECEIVED JOURNEY
How do they belong together?
These are not four steps to complete. Formation is the whole journey of participation in Christ. Sanctification is the Spirit’s consecrating and holy-making work. Holiness is belonging to God and living according to that holy calling. Transformation is the real change taking shape as Christ’s life is formed in us.
The journey moves from grace received towards grace embodied — from promise to proclamation. The Spirit forms individuals and churches together, so that the life we share in Christ becomes worship, communion, service and witness.
FOUR STREAMS OF FORMATION
Four interwoven ways of inhabiting one life
The Four Streams describe interwoven ways in which this one life in Christ is received, inhabited and expressed. Each Stream shares the whole Trinitarian movement of formation. Their distinctive images keep essential dimensions of Christian life audible.
B · Eu
Sacramental
Water · Oil · Table
Received into Christ and the Father’s household, consecrated by the Spirit, gathered at the King’s Table and sent as one royal priesthood.
S · Ex
Contemplative
Glory · Joy · Proclamation
We behold the glory of Christ. Awe and joy rise as heartfelt exclamation, then carry His goodness into proclamation.
H · N
Confessional
Way · Truth · Life
We hold fast to the truth of Christ and embody it through wisdom, mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation and faithful life.
I
Spirit-empowered
Presence · Power
The Holy Spirit forms Christ among His people and strengthens, heals, gifts and empowers the Church for service and witness.
One shared life
The Four Streams meet within one life in Christ. Formation is the whole journey. Transformation is the change taking shape within it. Sanctification is the Spirit’s holy-making work, and holiness is the life of a people who belong to God.
From baptismal water, through the Spirit’s anointing, to the gathered Church at the Table, grace forms a people who give thanks, seek reconciliation and carry the gospel into the world.