Evangelism, Discipleship, and Spiritual Formation: Which is What?

Authors

• MaryKate Morse, George Fox UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

Abstract

When I began researching “spiritual formation” in the early 90s, most Evangelicals considered it heretical and New Age. Even in 2018, on the 40th anniversary of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline, some Evangelicals consider Foster a heretic who is misleading the church.

However, for most of us, spiritual formation is broadly accepted today in churches, in Evangelical universities, and theological schools. Even so, people are still confused by “what it is.” I am often asked about the difference between discipleship and spiritual formation. In honor of Richard Foster, I would like to suggest a response and an approach which places “spiritual formation” in the context of evangelism and discipleship.

Comments

Originally published at https://missioalliance.org/evangelism-discipleship-and-spiritual-formation-which-is-what/

Recommended Citation

Morse, MaryKate, "Evangelism, Discipleship, and Spiritual Formation: Which is What?" (2018). Faculty Publications - Portland Seminary. 209.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/gfes/209