2012 -
As 2012 unfolds, Denver and San Diego have initiated pilot programs for Pastor and Leader Communities. These groups kicked-off with day-long events centered on teaching by Kent Carlson and Mike Lueken from their book, Renovation of the Church. Later this year, SFA will bring the event to additional cities around the country, with the express intent of encouraging ongoing transformational dialog within local ministry communities. In addition, Serving Ministry and Women's "What-if” Gatherings continue to grow and encourage leaders called to spiritual formation.
God's guidance continues to position the SFA team, board members and the passionate people we serve, in ways that help grow our website, expand our base of resources, and build important relationships to serve and connect those on the journey. We are thankful!
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2009-2011 - In addition to an ongoing role with regional Spiritual Formation Partner groups, SFA's relationships with local missional communities flourished. The establishment of prototype communities began with Women's leadership groups, "What-if". This group continues to focus efforts on spiritual formation leadership training and resourcing best practices -- gathering both lay leaders and ministry professionals for mornings of teaching and retreat-like experiences. Southern California Men's leadership group was established, enjoying the coaching of Alan Fadling and Dallas Willard. SFA Serving Ministry Gatherings - a collaborative effort with Denver Seminary - were initiated to provide quarterly soul care opportunities for leaders within key serving ministries.
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2008-2009 - SFA spearheaded the development of A Call to Spiritual Formation - a clear and practical definition of the modern movement, SFA brought together over 200 spiritual formation writers and leaders to develop a simple description and invite the Christian community to embrace the lifelong personal journey. In June 2009, 50 representatives of this group met in San Antonio to complete final edits and affirm the document. Since that time, over 1000 people have visited the website to sign it -- embracing the tenets of this document as a rallying point for future growth.
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2008 - SFA co-sponsors Atlanta Renovare Conference with Salvation Army.
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2007 - Regional events took the SFA forefront in Denver, Atlanta, Milwaukee and Boston. As the spiritual formation continued to gain strength, the additional leadership of Mel Lawrenz, Juanita Rasmus, Scot McKnight, Bruce Demarest, Dave Johnson, Adele Calhoun, Marjorie Thompson, Steve Macchia and others grew.
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2006 - The second SFA National Spiritual Formation Forum was held in Long Beach, CA. Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Larry Crabb, Roberta Hestenes, Mindy Caliguire, and Alan Andrews topped the speaker list.
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2005 - A collaborative effort in conjunction with the Renovare International Conference spawned a Pastors event for 400+ leaders. Spiritual Formation Partner groups were also planted in Rocky Mountain, Orange County and Southern California.
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2004 - The first SFA National Spiritual Formation Forum was held in Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA. Speakers included: Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson, Larry Crabb, John Perkins and John Coe. Christian spiritual formation practitioners and other respected leaders conducted an additional 72 break-out sessions.
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2002-2003 - Together with The Navigators, SFA co-sponsored the Theological and Cultural Thinker Group (TACT) and the subsequent development of the biblical descriptors for Christian spiritual formation.
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2001-2002 - SFA brought together leaders to consider the needs and opportunities for an organization focused on the topic of spiritual formation and discipleship.
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1999 - Motivated by the writings and leadership of Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson, Richard Foster, Dick Averbeck, Alan Andrews, Roberta Hestenes and Larry Crabb, Bob Howey founded the Spiritual Formation Alliance in Centennial, CO.
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