Spiritual Formation
Personal Testimony
While I had a season of doubt and questioning in my later teenage years, in the end it only made my adult-level faith and commitment stronger. As a college freshman I had a personal encounter with the Lord that firmly established my adult-level faith and commitment. I attended a Christian university, ultimately earning a degree in Biblical Studies. While still in school, I had the privilege of pioneering a local church with my father. We pastored together for 12 years. I then accepted the responsibility as senior pastor for 4 more years. During that time I attended the local seminary and earned an M.A. in Biblical Literature.
In 1988 I moved to Portland, Oregon with my wife and two children to teach in a Bible College, where I served for 18 years - the best years of my adult life. I also served with the elders at a large congregation in Portland, City Bible Church, during those years. While teaching in undergraduate programs I completed a Doctor of Ministry Program in Leadership and Spiritual Formation.
My Philosophy of Spiritual Formation
The ministry priorities of discipleship, spiritual growth, and spiritual formation have always been a the primary focus of my life and ministry. The need to live a Christ-centered, Bible-obeying, Spirit-filled life are essential to anyone representing God's Kingdom in the world today. I have always been fascinated by the various contributions to spiritual formation made by various Christian traditions throughout the history of the church. The role of community and spiritual disciplines are once again "hot topics" in our world.
While in the D.Min. program I wrote several reflection papers on "Spiritual Formation" that will describe my personal spiritual life and practice:
"A Spiritual Formation Paradigm" A Spiritual Formation Paradigm.pdf
"Spiritual Formation: Where Do I Go From Here?" Spiritual formation where do I go from here.pdf
"Spiritual and Ministry," a study of relationship between ministry/leadership and spiritual formation. DMN544 Spirituality and Ministry.pdf