Our Formation Training is a 12-month journey through which we help those who are part of OCC work explore God, ourselves and how to practically live as followers of Jesus in our everyday lives.
Formation is the process through which we incrementally become who God has made us to be as we embrace Holy Spirit’s work in us. It is about being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus and doing what Jesus did.
The 12-month journey is intended to help us as a church be who Jesus called us to be, disciples, and do what we called us to do, make disciples.
This is deliberate because we are intent on not just equipping people for a task but a depth of life, in Jesus that truly transforms how we get to live and then pass it on to others.
WHAT
We believe that only a deeply formed life in Jesus can lead you and others to the transformative kind of life to which you are called. In Galatians 4, Paul writes, “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” The biblical process of spiritual formation is shaped from the inside out by the presence of Holy Spirit, that we are no longer "conformed to this age but are transformed by the renewal of our mind" so we can say, “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.”
WHY
We need followers of Jesus who can bridge cultural divides, equip people to be the church, and remind the church of its role to participate with God on his mission in the world every day. We need believers in the church, the marketplace, families, and beyond who know Jesus deeply and, because of that, know who they truly are. From this firm foundation, we can then be the example and, with all integrity, call others to “follow me as I follow Christ.” The world does not need a better version of us; it needs Jesus. The call is for us to take seriously the call to “come take up your cross and follow me.”
WHEN
Running for 12 months from January to December with monthly teaching and discussion gatherings, as well as intentional reading and biblical reflections, we will explore Christian spiritual formation for the sake of our own discipleship and the call to make disciples.
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FAQ’s
Who is this for?
The whole church! But anyone who wants to look at how they can structure their life in pursuit of Jesus. We recommend all those who call OCC home and seek to be members to go through our Formation Training.
What’s involved?
The Formation Training has been a combination of 11 in-person and online monthly meetings, depending on what suits each group. The meetings include teaching, prayer practices, book discussions on the 4 books we will read over the 12 months. Outside of the meetings, there is content to engage with, biblical reflections, reading and practical application. We suggest that the monthly time this will take is 5 hours: 90 minutes per month for meetings, 2 hours of reading, and 90 minutes for application. Although you can do more if you want.
Where is it taking place?
Monthly meetings are either in-person or online, and this will be decided by what is best for each group. All additional work is done in your own time, wherever is most comfortable.
How much does it cost?
There is no course fee or payment for the Formation Training. Individuals should cover all book costs, but if this is a struggle, please speak to us. We may ask for a small contribution to the cost of the retreat day if we hold an in-person one.
I have a question not covered above?
If you have any questions, please send us an email.
