Page 10 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 19

Professor Dr Nicolene Joubert has been a counseling psychologist in pri-
vate prac�ce for 39 years, specializing in Chris�an psychology and psy-
chotherapy, trauma therapy and family counseling. She is the founder of
the Ins�tute of Chris�an Psychology in South Africa, a training ins�tu�on
that offers courses in Chris�an psychology and counseling. She is an ad-
junct professor at Houston Bap�st University, Houston, Texas, USA where
she develops and teaches Chris�an psychology and counseling courses.
She is the chairperson of the Council for Pastoral and Spiritual Counse-
lors (CPSC) in South Africa. She is also a post-graduate supervisor at the
South African Theological Seminary (SATS) for MA Th and PhD students.

Former contribu�ons in our eJournal by Nicolene you can see here:
h�p://emcapp.ignis.de/8/#p=50
h�ps://emcapp.ignis.de/9/#p=22
h�ps://emcapp.ignis.de/15/#p=21

Spiritual Forma�on for Chris�an Leaders

Abstract Col. 1:28; Rom. 12:2) (1) . Forma�on has diffe-
Spiritual forma�on is a well known term in the rent meanings in different contexts. The prac�-
Chris�an faith tradi�on. Chris�an leaders are ces and means have changed over centuries,
expected to be mature in faith and character but the purpose of spiritual forma�on remains
and to have wholesome rela�onships. Spiritual to grow in understanding of God, deepening in
growth and transforma�on is required to reach the rela�onship with Jesus Christ, and beco-
a place of maturity and wisdom. Various prac- ming more Christlike.
�ces and approaches to spiritual forma�on
have been implemented over the years in the Historical Overview
Chris�an faith community for this purpose. All Wilhoit and Howard (2020) iden�fied themes
believers should delve into the Chris�an litera- that have been pursued in spiritual forma�on
ture on spiritual forma�on to find the gold throughout history. For example, the book of
nuggets that would s�mulate and inspire their Acts demonstrates how people were formed
spiritual growth. In this ar�cle the focus is on through worship, service, prayer, mentoring,
Chris�an leaders and valuable perspec�ves conflict, teaching and preaching (Wilhoit and
that could guide them into a deeper rela�ons- Howard, 2020). The desert fathers developed
hip with Christ throughout their life. prac�ces for spiritual forma�on that enabled
Key words: spiritual forma�on, faith, spiritual to them “to demonstrate the radical call of the
transforma�on, Christlike, rela�onships, ma- gospel” (Wilhoit and Howard, 2020, p.6). They
ture character, lifelong development devoted themselves to austerity, prayers and
work.
Introduc�on The Roman Catholic tradi�on highlights the
Spiritual forma�on is a lifelong process of priest’s fundamental rela�onship to Jesus
being formed and developed to become more Christ and the Church. Forma�on takes place
like Christ. It is personal and rela�onal forma�- through programmes and resources provided
on that take place throughout the seasons and by training ins�tu�ons (Naidoo, 2008).The mis-
transi�ons of life. Several verses in the Bible re- sion of the seminary is pursued through these
fer to how knowing God, change and transform programmes. Four key dimensions of forma�-
our thoughts, choices and behavior (Gal. 4:19; on, i.e., human, intellectual, spiritual and pas-

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