Embark on a Journey of Becoming More Like Christ

M. Robert Mulholland Jr. defines spiritual formation as "the process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others." Compact and solid, this definition encompasses the dynamics of a vital Christian life and counters our culture's tendency to make spirituality a trivial matter or reduce it to a private affair between "me and Jesus."

In Invitation to a Journey, Mulholland offers valuable insights for Christians both new and old, emphasizing that becoming like Christ is a gradual process, not an instant transformation. Recognizing that not all personalities thrive with traditional practices like early morning quiet times, he encourages you to express your devotion to God in ways that work for you. Mulholland thoughtfully explores the classical spiritual disciplines, demonstrating the importance of undertaking your spiritual journey with (and for the sake of) others.

In this revised and expanded edition, you'll find:



- Additions, revisions, and new foreword by Ruth Haley Barton,

- Spiritual practices for individual and group application, and

- A study guide to provide spiritual direction for groups seeking spiritual companionship for one another on the journey of transformation.

Invitation to a Journey is a call to dig deeper, to slow down, and to experience the profound transformation that comes with intentional spiritual practices. Whether you're seeking renewal, guidance, or simply a richer relationship with God and others, this book will be a trusted companion for your journey.



Ruth Haley Barton (DD, Northern Seminary) is founding president of the Transforming Center, a spiritual formation ministry to pastors and Christian leaders. A trained spiritual director (Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation), teacher and retreat leader, she has served on the pastoral staff of several churches, including Willow Creek Community Church. A sought-after teacher, preacher and consultant to leadership teams, she is currently adjunct professor of spiritual transformation at Northern Seminary.Educated at Wheaton College, Northern Seminary and Loyola University Chicago Institute for Pastoral Studies, Ruth is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, including Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Sacred Rhythms, Longing for More and Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. She is also the author of an online resource titled eReflections, spiritual guidance via e-mail. She contributes regularly to Conversations: A Forum for Authentic Transformation.



M. Robert Mulholland Jr. (1936-2015) was emeritus professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary and the author of several books, including Shaped by the Word, The Deeper Journey, Revelation and the landmark spiritual formation book Invitation to a Journey. He also served as pastor of Shirley Community Church in Shirley Mills, Maine.During his extensive academic career, Mulholland served as adjunct professor at the Academy for Spiritual Formation and taught at several seminaries and universities around the world, including Wesley Theological Seminary, Harvard University, McMurry University, Moscow Evangelical Christian Seminary (Moscow, Russia), West Africa Theological Seminary (Lagos, Nigeria) and Baltic Mission Center Theological Seminary (Tallinn, Estonia). An elder in the Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church, Mulholland was a frequent speaker at Bible and spiritual renewal conferences. He and his wife, Lynn, have two children.

Foreword by Ruth Haley Barton


Prologue
Part I. The Road Map: The Nature of Spiritual Formation


1. The Process


2. Being Formed


3. The Image of Christ


4. For the Sake of Others
Part II. The Vehicle: Personality and Piety


5. Creation Gifts


6. One-Sided Spirituality


7. Holistic Spirituality
Part III. The Journey: Spiritual Disciplines


8. The Classical Christian Pilgrimage


9. Classical Spiritual Disciplines


10. The Nature of the Spiritual Disciplines


11. The Inner Dynamics of the Spiritual Disciplines
Part IV. Companions on the Way: Corporate and Social Spirituality


12. Corporate Spirituality


13. Social Spirituality


Study Guide


Acknowledgments


Notes