This article is the third in a series on CBFNC’s Three Overarching Commitments. In this issue we focus on A Commitment to Transformation:
“Be transformed by the renewing of your minds” (Romans 12:2). We serve a God who declares, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Transformation is the work of the Spirit in the lives of Christians, congregations, mission partners, and the world. We are concerned for the conversion of all people into the image of Jesus, for the ongoing growth and spiritual formation of Christians, for creative and innovative missional collaboration, and for the renewal of all creation. We desire to be agents of God’s newness.
I have struggled all of my life with my weight. After losing weight two other times, and gaining it back, I decided to try again in 2018. I joined Weight Watchers. Over the course of about eight months, I lost 50 pounds. Since that time, I have managed to keep off 80% of the original loss.
During the first year or two of my reduced weight, whenever I would encounter folks who hadn’t seen me in a while, they would express amazement in the change in my appearance. Often, I would hear the words, “What a transformation you have made!”
External vs. Internal
The change in my physical appearance illustrates one understanding of transformation. The Oxford Language Dictionary defines transformation as “a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.” This definition only considers the external. External changes are much easier to observe and measure. Losing 50 pounds, a six-inch reduction in pants size, lowering LDL cholesterol—these are familiar measurements that anyone can see and understand.
In contrast, the Bible is more focused on internal transformation. Romans 12:2 instructs us to “be transformed by the renewal of your minds.” This kind of transformation is less apparent and more difficult to measure. I don’t know of a scale or medical test that can measure mental transformation. Yet that’s what the Apostle Paul says we should focus on.
Familiar Metrics
We used to think we knew how to measure transformation in Baptist churches. The church of my youth used the widely adopted Six-Point Record System, six criteria for Christian behavior, accounted for on our offering envelopes. These practices, which we could check off each week, included: 1) Being present; 2) Being on time; 3) Bringing Bible; 4) Studying lesson; 5) Bringing offering; and 6) Staying for preaching.
While these are all good practices, I don’t think they adequately measured spiritual transformation, especially for people who have been Christians for decades.
What did Jesus Say?
While Jesus didn’t mention offering envelopes or modern church membership, he (and the rest of the New Testament) did speak about indicators of transformation exhibited by his followers.
When asked to identify the greatest of all the commandments, Jesus provided two:“The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these (Mark 12: 29-31).”
When describing the Last Judgment, and the separation of people into those who would enjoy eternity with God, and those who will be banished to eternal punishment, Jesus explained: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
In contrasting those who live by the flesh (the untransformed) and those who walk by the Spirit (the transformed), Paul describes the qualities or characteristics of those who are experiencing transformation: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).
Stories of Transformation
If these passages and others like them describe spiritual transformation, how can churches identify when spiritual transformation is taking place in the lives of their members? There’s no quick checklist that can fit on an offering envelope. Nor are there any other objective measurements that I know of. I think, probably, “You know it when you see it.” We should learn to shine a spotlight on the places in peoples’ lives where transformation is taking place. And one way to do that is to recover the practice of testimony.
I would encourage church leaders to teach people to share “stories of transformation” in as many ways as possible—in worship, small groups, church publications, etc. By focusing on these “bright spots of transformation,” I believe we can actually foster transformation in our members, in our congregations and in the world.
An Ongoing Process
My weight loss “transformation” was not an event that was accomplished when I reached my goal weight. It has been an ongoing process, with times of struggle and even failure, and will not be finished until I’m in the presence of Jesus and have received a new body. The same is true of our spiritual transformation. It is not always easy to see. It is a lifelong process that requires the support of the community of faith. May we find ways to notice, name and encourage the spiritual transformation of one another.
