Today we are going to cover a topic that is often highly charged, and may be challenging for some of you. And there is a good chance that most of us have been affected in some way by it. We’re talking about Spiritual Formation, and it is something that has taken the modern church by storm in just about every denomination – from those considered to be seeker-driven and even those considered to be conservative.
Our guest today, Pastor Gary Gilley, already has a few listener emails waiting for him from those of you who have questions about what you are seeing in your own churches with Spiritual formation. Those of you who have been with us for a while have heard us cover the topic, but Pastor Gilley is going to fill in what you might not know with his research which he is sharing on our program today. He is known for his research books like This Little Church Went To Market: The Church in the Age of Modern Entertainment, and his brand new book is titled, Out of Formation: Spiritual Disciplines of God and Men.
Dr. Gilley is a pastor at Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois since 1975. He is also the author and editor of the bimonthly contemporary theological issues publication Think on These Things . In addition to speaking at various conferences throughout the USA and overseas, he serves on the advisory board of New Tribes Mission and on the executive boards of Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission and Personal Freedom Outreach. He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute and Cambridge Graduate School, both in the U.S.
More Research:
Other links:
Renovaré (Spiritual Formation Institute)
Like all things Renovaré, the program is a beautiful blend of intellect and experience, of individual and community, of theory and practice, of charasmatic and contemplative. It is deeply and unapologetically centered on Christ and rooted in the gospel of the Kingdom.
РJohn Ortberg, Renovar̩ faculty and former pastor of Willow Creek Church
What is Renovar̩ / the Renovar̩ Bible? РGotQuestions.org
Stand Up For The Truth is a radio and online ministry that covers news of the day, trends in the church and theological issues that Christians deal with and talk about every day, and we give you a place to be educated, equipped and connected to help you discern along the way. But most importantly, we point you to Christ Jesus as our Savior, and His Word – the Scriptures, as the truth that you can depend on. In fact, you should filter everything you read, hear and consume as a believer – including what you find on this program – through the Scriptures to see if it lines up.
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Gary Gilley is a remarkable teacher. Thank God for his dedication and for SUFTT for hosting him.
I tried some of this stuff-lectio divina, etc. but I could never get into it-too much work! maybe it was the Holy Spirit! Now that I know the foundations, I can understand why!
I am so thankful for the work of Gary Gilley. I first came across his work years ago while researching the prayer labyrinth..I was totally ignorant of all this but when a co-worker's church installed one I could not escape the feeling that something just didn't sound right. They hired spiritual priestess Lauren Artress (Canon of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco) come to their church to "train" the elders on how to achieve the altered state of consciousness before walking the maze. http://www.laurenartress.com/spiritual-pioneer/
I started to dig in to this and I ended up finding much more to be concerned about along the way – I've been researching the sad state of the church ever since.
I will definitely be ordering his book and praying for his ministry- including praise and thanksgiving to God for raising up people to warn and educate us for this time.