Spiritual Formation
When was the last time you spent four straight hours in silent solitude? Can you remember that far back? Or can you even imagine that much quiet time to yourself? What would you do with the time if you had it?
Spiritual Formation is a General Education course at NBC, required for every major, because of the importance of the practice of spending time with God, listening to His Word. This is no simple review of “read your Bible and pray every day.” It is a challenge and a lifeline that stays with students long past graduation.
Of course, it can be an intimidating class. “Discipline is not a cherished word,” according to Dr. Jim Russom, Director of Pastoral Ministries for NBC. “In our freedom, we sometimes fear the structure.” Many students begin Spiritual Formation with trepidation – it requires four textbooks and so many writing assignments plus some unfamiliar concepts like meditation and lectio divina. If anyone feels up to all that, they likely don’t find the prospect of finding 48 hours for silence and solitude an easy task. NBC’s Spiritual Formation course requires so much!
When NBC alum Irene Lewis-Wimbley talks about her experience of coming back to school, she speaks with an excited passion. She clearly loves the ministry she has at Southside Community Center and Pekin First Church of the Nazarene, and she gratefully acknowledges that her studies at NBC got her back on track for ministry – especially Spiritual Formation. It is “foundational to ministry,” she says. When things went awry and she wanted to know where she went wrong, she usually found, “I neglected my soul care.” Thanks to the knowledge and skills gained in class, Rev. Lewis-Wimbley now maintains a practice of quarterly spiritual retreats for her own well-being.
What does the course look like?
According to Dr. Robert Hunter who has taught the course nearly 40 times, it is praxis-oriented, often with the most opportunities for pastoral care from the professor to the students. Students not only gain information, they are able to experience grace through assignments. Each spiritual practice examined is meant to be “a new avenue of grace to revolutionize discipleship” both for the individual and in his/her community. Putting this information immediately into practice gives opportunity for the heart to be warmed as much as the head is informed.
Published: 07/05/2022
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