Missional Outreach Network for the Missional Church

Missional Spiritual Formation

Information

This group explores the relationship between Christian spiritual formation and missional theology.

Members: 46
Latest Activity: Apr 6, 2012

Introducing Me

Greetings. My name is Stan Helton and I have a rather eclectic background. I grew up in a small Oklahoma town and began my journey with Churches of Christ as a Vacation Bible School kid. After high school, my educational journey would take me to the Preston Road School of Preaching (later, Center for Christian Education and now defunct); here I was introduced to Koine Greek and studied the whole Bible in English. After this I attended Oklahoma Christian College where I continued my work in Greek and earned my BA (1988) in Bible. The following year I entered Abilene Christian University where I served as Carroll Osburn's graduate assistant, working under him on various textual critical projects. I completed an MS (1992) in Doctrinal and Historical Studies (Historical Theology) emphasizing Church History and American Christianity. Under Osburn I had started an MA in NT Greek but at the end of the course work but before the thesis, I switched to the MDiv degree which I finally completed in 1999. After 1992 I left ACU to enter full time ministry in various places like North Carolina, South Carolina, New Orleans and Chicago before entering full time teaching in 2003 at Western Christian College in Regina, Saskatchewan (Canada). I completed my DMin in 2009. My project/thesis deals with teaching Christian spiritual formation to college-age students. I'm currently serving the Tammany Oaks Church of Christ in Mandeville, LA as their preaching minister Additionally, I continue to do text critical work each week at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as well as keeping an full schedule of coaching, leadership training, and conflict mediation.

These are some of the pieces of my story that inform my quest to be spiritually formed in the image of Jesus for the sake of the world.

Discussion Forum

Bonhoeffer on the Benefits of Confession to One Another 4 Replies

Started by Andy Catsimanes. Last reply by Andy Catsimanes May 22, 2011.

Missional Spiritual Formation Books 3 Replies

Started by Christopher B. James. Last reply by Zack Blaisdell May 14, 2011.

Towards a Model for Chrisian Spiritual Formation

Started by Stanley N. Helton Mar 24, 2010.

Towards a Missional Praxis of Christian Spiritual Formation 13 Replies

Started by Stanley N. Helton. Last reply by Stanley N. Helton Mar 22, 2010.

Colleges seeking to make degrees more relevant-what about churches?

Started by James Nored Jan 5, 2010.

Renovare's Definition of Spiritual Formation 6 Replies

Started by James Nored. Last reply by Gailyn Van Rheenen Jul 10, 2009.

Defining Christian Spiritual Formation 9 Replies

Started by Stanley N. Helton. Last reply by Stanley N. Helton May 4, 2009.

Just how badly are our Bible classes failing in Spiritual formation? Part 1 5 Replies

Started by James Nored. Last reply by Bret Wells May 2, 2009.

Practices: Lectio Divina 6 Replies

Started by Stanley N. Helton. Last reply by Stanley N. Helton May 1, 2009.

Christian Spiritual Formation in the Churches of Christ (or, Restoration Movement) 4 Replies

Started by Stanley N. Helton. Last reply by Lynn S. Nored Feb 19, 2009.

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Comment Wall

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Comment by James Nored on April 6, 2012 at 10:39am: Here is a link to a blog that ministers to thousands of new Christians.

http://equipping4eministry.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/new-blog-minist...

Comment by James Nored on November 16, 2010 at 12:27am: 2011 NATIONAL GATHERING: SPIRITUAL FORMATION IN MISSIONAL CONGREGAT...

Comment by James Nored on August 19, 2010 at 6:54pm: Here is Richard Foster with an article on "Maturing the Modern Spiritual Formation Movement." http://ning.it/bolE46 Your thoughts?

Comment by Zack Blaisdell on February 20, 2010 at 8:01pm: Hello everyone! This is Zack Blaisdell here. I enjoy this group so much because missional spiritual formation is a major passion of mine. I'm currently enrolled in preaching school and am due to graduate in May. One of the books I read for school was Transforming Discipleship. GREAT book :} Of course I don't agree with everything he said in there, but by and large I really liked the book. As the author did in his book, I agree, a both studies start with a study of Jesus and His life and work while He lived on earth and also goes to the early church in Acts and to Paul in Acts and in his letters. It also involves recruiting others to come along with you and your discipling them and helping them develop their own ministry skills and whatnot.
What are your thoughts and suggestions here? Thanks! God bless. Grace and Peace.

Comment by Eric Asante Obeng on July 10, 2009 at 7:09am: Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 ¶ If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Comment by James Nored on June 23, 2009 at 11:50pm: Let's welcome Chris Chappotin, who just joined the group. Chris is a church planter with Mission Alive in the Dallas area. He has really built up a lot of community in his neighborhood and found many ways to connect with people.

Comment by James Nored on February 4, 2009 at 10:46am: Hmm . . . I'm not much help here, Jonathan. No speako Spanisho. But I'm thrilled that this site can be used to bring together bilingual missional people as well.

Comment by Bob Young on February 4, 2009 at 10:34am: Thanks, Jonathan,
I gave a quick look at the first lesson. Looks like some good stuff with great potential.
Gracias por su ayuda en esta area del crecimiento espiritual. Creo que es una gran necesidad entre las iglesias. Ensene una clase en Baxter hace 3 o 4 anos, tema El Desarrollo Cristiano Personal. Fue bien recibido, con indicacion de la necesidad de mas estudios. De hecho, tenia la oportunidad de presentar los conceptos en varias iglesias.
Saludos y bendiciones en su trabajo del Senor.

Comment by Stanley N. Helton on February 4, 2009 at 10:19am: Jonathan, Thanks for letting us know what you are doing in this area. Don't speak Spanish, but glad you do and can do work like this. Let me know if I can be of help.

Comment by Jonathan Hanegan on February 4, 2009 at 10:07am: Greetings from Venezuela! I'm working on a series of Bible studies for the church in Caracas about spiritual formation. I'm translating a lot of materials as well as using other materials already in Spanish. So, if you speak Spanish, check it out and let me know what you think! I would appreciate your suggestions! Thanks and God bless!

The first study can be downloaded from by website:

http://panajonathan.squarespace.com/estudios/estudios-amigos-de-cristo/