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This social dimension of spiritual formation impacts not only the end goal a
love for God that expresses itself in a genuine love for our neighbors. Spiritual formation is also
social in the means that God intends to use in bringing it about. That is why local churches need
to focus on this dimension of their ministry. Willard argues that "the exclusive primary goal" of
the local bodies of believers is to be the spiritual formation in Christlikeness of its members
[DW, 235]. To that end, not only are pastors and other church leaders, but church members as
well are to be committed to one another in the common pursuit of spiritual formation into ever-
increasing Christlikeness.
BRUCE DEMARESTS UNDERSTANDING OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Bruce Demarests understanding of spiritual formation shares much in common
with that of Dallas Willard. Like Willard, Demarest sees spiritual formation to be
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a transformation of the believer into Christlikess,
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a holistic process that deals with Christians in the fullness of their personal
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Demarest says that spiritual formation "is an ancient ministry of the church, concerned
with the ,,forming or ,,shaping of a believers character and actions into the likeness of Christ.
The goals of this practice are things as godliness, holiness, compassion, faithfulness, and
obedience." [BD, 23-24.] Elsewhere Demarest uses the term "Christian spirituality, which he
defines as "the shaping of our inner character and outer conduct in cooperation with the work of
the Spirit, so that we are gradually being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ" [BD, 38]. Or
again, "Christian spirituality concerns the shaping of our inner being after the likeness of Jesus
Christ by the indwelling Spirit and the living out of Jesus values in service to others" [BD, 74].