The Ministry of Christian Formation

▪	Join a men’s or women’s Bible study/small group for accountability and support.

▪	Take the FBC Spiritual Gift Inventory (SGI), and then meet with a Ministry Guide to find a place to use your gifts and skills.

▪	Once every three months, spend three consecutive hours in silence, fasting from any media or conversation. Record your experience in a journal.

▪	Be intentional about looking for spiritual conversation opportunities with friends and family.

▪	Plan and conduct together a family service project to help an individual or meet a community need.

▪	Assoc Pastor, Formation— Steve Booth

▪	Admin Asst— Walter Morton

▪	Minister to Children— Candi Brown

▪	Children’s Associate — Megan Lowe

▪	Children’s Admin Asst — Brenda Woods

▪	Minister to Students— Bart Dalton

▪	Youth Two Admin Asst — Martha Smith

▪	Youth One Associate — Ann Carter
▪	Minister of Weekday Ministry— Mary Hiteman

▪	Weekday Admin Asst— Robin Hendricks

▪	Ministry Resident— Lindsey McClintock

“until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ . . . we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ . . “ Ephesians 4:13, 15, NRSV

The Ministry of Christian Formation is about growing “up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ.” In other words, it is about engaging the whole person—head, heart, and hands – into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ. Through Bible studies, discipleship classes, intergenerational events, retreats (private and group), web resources, small groups, and spiritual guidance, First Baptist Church seeks to guide you into a meaningful way of being Christian and putting Christian faith into practice.

We use the word FORMATION because God forms us into Christ’s image. Robert Mulholland puts it this way: Spiritual formation is the process of being conformed (by God) into the image of Christ for the sake of other.” We believe that our part is to release control to God so that he can shape us into Christ’s image for the sake of others, both in the body of Christ and in the world.

Because we must be intentional in releasing every part of life to God, our question is, “Where are you in the process of allowing God to conform you into the image of Christ?” Evaluate the state of:

your HEART – being and growing in your relationship to God, self, and others;
your HEAD – learning and understanding God’s written Word; identifying, developing and using your God given call, gifts, skills, and knowledge;
your HANDS –serving others by putting into action God’s call on your life

When all three aspects of our life are attuned to God’s mission in the world, God is able to more effectively conform us.

Whether you are a preschooler, child, youth, or adult, the ministry of Christian Formation is committed to encourage, equip and walk with you on the path toward wholeness in Christ. What is the spiritual condition of your heart, head, and hands today?

Read the complete list of Spring Adult Formation Opportunities.

For conversation about your spiritual journey with Christ, contact Steve Booth, Associate Pastor for Christian Formation: (804) 358-5458 ext. 167.

Want some help in assessing where you are in your spiritual journey? Download the Spiritual Gifts Inventory (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet 112kb) and the Christian Formation Assessment Tool (Microsoft Word document, 251kb).