|
What is Christian Formation?
|
Defining Christian formation is not easy. "Christian" designates the faith perspective, and "formation" implies improvement. Thus Christian Formation refers to the spiritual progress of Christians, and ways to encourage that growth process. Yet there are many ways to envision the spiritual life of the Christian, both theologically and developmentally. Historically, the roots of the Christian formation program are in Christian education, which continues to be the name of Wheaton's undergraduate program.
Yet, in addition to education, this area of study also includes the experience of God and a developing relationship with Him, the result of one's cooperation with God's grace. Furthermore, spiritual formation does not exclusively consider the individual, but also includes relationships and worship in the broader faith community (the church), particiularly as that community mirrors the relationality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Career Opportunities with a degree in
Christian Education / Christian Formation
We are committed to teaching and mentoring students to prepare them for effective ministry in a wide variety of settings. While the discipline is not linked to any specific vocation, students majoring in Christian Education / Christian Formation generally focus on age-specific ministries and/or church or parachurch work. Examples of areas where graduates may be employed include:
- Higher Education
- Campus Ministry (e.g. student development)
- College, Military, or Prison Chaplaincy
- Christian Camping
- Christian School Leadership / Ministry
- Cross-Cultural Ministry
- Evangelistic Ministry
- Inner City Ministry
- Instructional Design
- Curriculum Writing
- Local Church Ministry
- Parachurch Ministry
- Children's Ministry
- Christian Education Director
- Religious Education Director
- Family Ministry
- Marriage Ministry / Enrichment
- Youth Ministry
- Discipleship / Small Groups Ministry
- Missions
- Parachurch Ministry
- Sports Ministry
- Ministry-Related Research
- Women's Ministry
- Men's Ministry
- Care and Counseling Ministry
|
|
|
News and Recent Events
NEW TRANSLATION AND PUBLICATIONS
Baker Books announced that Introduction to Psychology and Counseling, which was revised for the second edition by Don Ratcliff, has been translated into a third language, Russian, and work is now begining on an Arabic translation. It was previously published in Indonesian and Korean. Dr. Ratcliff also announced that Transformation journal published his article "Qualitative Data Analysis and the Transforming Moment," and the Christian Education Journal published "Sociology and Anthropology as Promising Areas of Insight" coauthored by Ratcliff and Bryan Howell in the Anthropology department.
NEW FACEBOOK PAGES
The CFM department has now entered a new era of pop culture involvement, with two department web pages on Facebook. Why two pages? The first page created emphasizes spiritual formation and experience, which is an important part of the CFM curriculum. After it was developed, it was felt that another page would attract people specifically looking for a page with Wheaton College in the title. Thus a second page was developed, similar to the first.
Christian Formation and Spiritual Experience:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12706237860
Wheaton College - Christian Formation Graduate Program:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14881679878
Actually, most of the professors in the department have been on Facebook for months, if not longer. Stop by and take a look at the new department Facebook pages soon--and become "friends" with your faculty. [Note that Facebook requires a free registration to access most sites.]
NEW BOOK BY JIM WILHOIT
Baker Books announced the publication of Jim Wilhoit's new book Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered. Here is their brief description: Spiritual formation is undoubtedly a timely and popular topic in our materialistic culture. Plenty of high-quality books have been published, including the works of Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. Yet most of these resources focus on the individual. James Wilhoit leads readers in a new direction by focusing on the impact that Christian community can have on spiritual development in Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered. Also unique to this treatment is its historical and ecumenical approach. Perhaps the most important metaphor throughout the text is that of a journey. Spiritual progress is not a destination; instead, it is a continuous process. Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered offers an introduction to spiritual formation set squarely in the local church. As such it is appropriate for professors and students (both undergraduate and graduate) but it is also helpful for church leaders and spirituality readers. Features that enhance this work include its brief chapters, sidebar content, and for further reading annotations. |
|
|
The Latest from Our Alumni:
Hello Don and fellow Christian Formation professors and classmates,
Although Dane and I just graduated in 07, we wanted to say hello and that we miss everyone so much! Our years in graduate school were so formational to us and so much fun! We now live in Pittsburgh PA and have added a new little addition to our family, Pearl Annabel Lundgren. She is doing really well and her older sister (who came with us on our end of the year retreat) loves her! I'll attach a few pictures of Lucia and Pearl.
Dane has just started an M.D. program at Temple Medical School. He is very excited to be a doctor who combines medicine and spiritual formation. I have the privilege of mothering our two sweet little girls and am thankful for the Christian Formation department's role in my parenting philosophy.
We are part of an incredible church out here. It's called Charis (www.charis247.org). The community has been wonderful and is part of an impoverished town with a vision to serve that town and help revitalize the area and the families. It would make an excellent case study as it sits in quite a unique little town and seeks to combine discipleship with social justice issues. We love it.
Well, we just wanted to give you that brief update! Lots of love to you all,
Jade and Dane Lundgren
We would love to hear from you as well! Write friends@wheatoncf.net today! |
Honeyrock Camp
Contact Information
Christian Formation
and Ministry Department
Billy Graham Center
Dr. Barrett
McRay, Department Chair
Dept. Phone:
630-752-5196
E-mail: cfm@wheaton.edu |
|
