While spiritual formation focuses on the inner life of the Christian, the missional church discussion focuses on one's life in the world. Nathan A. Finn and Keith S. Whitfield bring together leading evangelical voices to cast a new vision for a missional spirituality that fosters spiritual maturity while also fueling Christian evangelism, cultural engagement, and the pursuit of justice.

Picking up on the monastic tradition of creating a "rule of life" that allows for regular space for the practice of spiritual disciplines, Ruth Haley Barton takes you more deeply into understanding seven key spiritual disciplines along with practical ideas for weaving them into everyday life.

Frustrated with traditional approaches to spirituality? Feeling guilty about not following a regimented devotional practice? Wishing there were a way you could embrace God in your everyday life? This book offers a way forward. Rather than prescribe another attempt at daily devotional readings, written prayers and scheduled moments of quiet meditation, Everyday Spirituality expresses the truth that much of what we already do in life is, in fact, spiritual. · Walking· Cooking· Laughing· Sleeping· Moving· Spending· . This book is an accessible introduction to an ancient yet new way of thinking and being in the world. Rather than dividing spiritual life apart from daily life, Everyday Spirituality helps the reader realize that they do as connected to God, the sacred, the holy.

Being human is a lifelong journey of becoming. This journey defines our humanity, for it is a journey toward our source and our fulfillment, described in Christian theology as union with God. If we remain open to God as our sense of self awakens, we experience a deeper consciousness of being in him. The self that emerges during this process is larger, more enlightened, and whole. David Benner, who has spent thirty-five years integrating psychology and spirituality, presents psychological insights in a readable fashion to offer readers a deeper understanding of the self and its spiritual development. Drawing on a broad range of Christian traditions, Benner shows that the transformation of self is foundational to Christian spirituality. This book will appeal to readers interested in a psychologically grounded, fresh exploration of Christian spirituality; professionals engaged in pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual direction; and students in ministry development and spiritual formation courses. Questions and answers for individual or group use are included at the end of each chapter.

Doing Spirituality is a comprehensive textbook (14 chapters, 444 pages) on the journey of character formation toward Christlikeness. The passion to progressively become like Jesus in life, character and power, is the heart of this book. Christian spirituality is essentially apprenticeship to Jesus - as in biblical discipleship. The distinctive feature of the book is that the understanding and practice of spirituality and discipleship is framed in the biblical theology of the Kingdom of God - that which the historical Jesus embodied and taught. This is turn is set against the infinite horizon of the Trinity - called the "new Trinitarianism" in theology. PART ONE, INTRODUCTION, begins with Alexander Venter's autobiographical life journey in spirituality - his relationship with God. Then he gives an overview of ten different understandings of spirituality (spiritualities) in general use today, followed by a definition and discussion on Christian spirituality in particular. This followed up by an overview of the four main spiritual traditions in the history of the Christian Church. PART TWO, THEOLOGY, is a biblical theology of spirituality as in following Jesus in his earthly spirituality as a human person (not in his divinity), 2000 years ago under Roman occupation, in the crisis in which Israel found herself. Christian spirituality is being Jesus' apprentice in his Kingdom Way of life, contextualised to our life today. The Jesus way, or Kingdom spirituality - to be emulated by every Christ-follower - is examined from the Synoptic Gospels, then John's Gospel, then from Paul's understanding in his letters to the early Churches. PART THREE, PRAXIS, is the practice of Christian spirituality. Alexander lays out the classic threefold spiritual path of purgation, illumination and union. Then explains step by step how God transforms us, in terms of our spiritual, moral, character formation. This is followed by a discussion on each of the classic spiritual exercises: the eight disciplines of engagement, and the eight disciplines of abstinence. A further eight tools or aids for spiritual formation and growth are also introduced. The final chapter is the 'how to' live a balanced and integrated spiritual life to the full - to grow to maturity - and what that looks like in daily life. "Doing Spirituality is a widely informed, highly readable, textbook on Christian spirituality. It is grounded in the biblical theology of Jesus and the Kingdom of God, and set against the backdrop of the Trinity. Alexander Venter's sweep of the history of spiritual traditions in the Christian Church further enriches the theology and practice of spirituality - that is: faithful discipleship to Jesus in progressive character formation to become like him. Doing Spirituality will be valuable for all Christ-followers. Spiritual leaders, pastors and students will especially benefit from this insightful textbook." Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary.

Megan McKenna has long been well known in the Catholic community as a writer, speaker, and teacher. In her lectures and writings, McKenna focuses on the central place of storytelling in the spiritual life and on the role of the storyteller as a teacher. She explores the illuminating power of stories, examining both traditional and contemporary tales that are integral parts of Christian, Zen, Jewish, Sufi, Native American, and many other spiritual traditions.

How can we grow closer to God? Is there a secret to spiritual life? Do we need a second blessing? Is sanctification instantaneous or is it a process? The nature of Christian spirituality has been widely debated throughout the history of the church. Donald L. Alexander brings together five scholars in a fascinating debate on sanctification and spirituality.