In this month’s episode of Friends in Formation, Richella, Nate, and James answer listener questions about the Streams, moving small groups toward spiritual formation, and building lifelong friendships in this time of loneliness.

Show Notes

[1:47] In December's podcast, James mentioned six different “Streams” of Christian tradition: contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, evangelical and incarnational (sacramental). Could you please talk more about them, both as they relate to the church and to an individual Christ follower? Also, I grew up in a church who used "missional" language. Is this a concept that is related to the 'streams'?

[18:25] I’ve been a pastor for 15 years, and most groups seem to be more curriculum based/Bible study rather than actually focused on formation. Do you have any thoughts about how existing classes or small groups can move toward becoming more focused on spiritual formation or any thoughts on how to change the culture of a church to be more focused on spiritual formation? Is it better to start new groups than trying to change existing groups? Can you share resources related to spiritual formation groups? Do you have information about Renovaré spiritual formation groups?

[31:14] A question I've been wondering about revolves around the topic of friendship. Even before the social distancing of the last couple of years there has been a trend in loneliness. Often, as we grow older and especially as we get further from our school years, it becomes increasingly more difficult to make and build friendships. Are there any practices you would recommend for responding to loneliness and for making and building friendships throughout all of life?

Resources

• Streams of Living Water, by Richard Foster
• The Making of an Ordinary Saint, by Nathan Foster
• Spiritual Formation Workbook, a Renovaré Resource
• Devotional Classics, a Renovaré Resource
• Lyfe, Resources from the Bible Society UK