Spiritual Formation Program
All those who love the Word of God should also seek to grow in their walk with the Lord. While no sermon or program guarantees spiritual growth, all who seek to grow in grace will pay careful attention to the means God has given for this growth. At CRTS, we define Christian spiritual formation as the intentional forming of believers’ lives towards greater maturity in Christ. We rejoice that growth happens by the power of the Holy Spirit working with the Word, who ensures that, “we . . . grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph 4:15). Professors and students alike need to grow spiritually, as described in 2 Pet 1:5–8.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (ESV).
The Spiritual Formation Program (SFP) at CRTS includes some prayerful self-evaluation, reflective writing, planning for growth, one-on-one visits with faculty, participation in chapel talks, and times of prayer. These are described briefly under the following headings.
- Spiritual Formation Plan
- Leadership Formation
- Mentorship
- Chapels and Prayer Groups
Spiritual Formation Plan
To assist the students in their growth in Christ-likeness, the Spiritual Formation Program includes the requirement that each student develop a concrete plan for pursuing the means God has given for spiritual growth. This plan is reviewed from time to time with the mentor.
Leadership Formation
Besides seeking spiritual growth like all Christians should, those seeking to become preachers of the Word ought to possess additional qualities in good measure, in order to fulfill their ministry and serve as a good example to others (1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 4:5). We focus upon particular leadership qualities prescribed in Scripture. We also identify certain temptations which can easily hinder progress in a leader’s spiritual formation. These points inform each student’s spiritual formation plan and are discussed with the students in mentor visits.
Mentorship
Each full-time student at CRTS receives a faculty mentor. With an advantageous faculty-to-student ratio, the mentors are able to meet one on one with their mentees at least once per semester, to discuss their walk with the Lord and their growth in ministry preparation.
Chapels and Prayer Groups
Each week begins and ends with a chapel, a time when all faculty, staff, and students join together to receive God’s Word devotionally, to pray, and to sing. Monday chapels are followed by times of prayer of each mentor with his group of mentees.
Overall, CRTS strives to maintain an atmosphere that encourages spiritual growth, realizing that full-time academic study of God’s Word must be carried out in a devotional manner.