Books have played a decisive role in the rise and development of the modern spiritual formation movement. The development of the IVP Formatio ® line of books at InterVarsity Press (IVP) demonstrates this interplay. Over the past several decades, IVP’s publishing trajectory mirrors a broader shift within evangelical Christianity—from a predominantly “discipleship” and performance-oriented model of spiritual growth to a deeper, more holistic vision of spiritual formation. This article explores that development and the key authors who contributed to the shaping of the IVP Formatio line.
This essay offers a retrospective analysis of The Upper Room’s contributions to the Protestant Spiritual Formation Movement (PSFM) over nearly ninety years of ministry. Beginning with the founding of The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide in 1935, the paper traces the organization’s evolution from a single devotional publication into a global network of formational ministries, publications, and program-based communities. Particular attention is given to The Academy for Spiritual Formation as The Upper Room’s most comprehensive and integrative expression of spiritual formation, shaped by ecumenical currents emerging from Vatican II and the Ecumenical Institute for Spirituality. Drawing on historical narrative and theological reflection, the essay identifies core characteristics that have proven essential for fostering healthy spiritual formation across The Upper Room’s ministries, including simplicity and consistency of practice, a relational and communal focus, creating trustworthy and inclusive space, attentive listening, accessibility, holistic integration, and lifelong openness to growth. The concluding section looks toward the future, suggesting that spiritual formation today must cultivate courage and compassion amid social, ecological, and ecclesial crises. Together, the essay positions The Upper Room as both a formative influence within the PSFM and a living witness to a spirituality rooted in communion with God, neighbor, and creation for the sake of manifesting healing and hope in the world.
Contemporary Christian formation makes frequent use of writing practices—journaling, reflection, discernment notes, and scholarly work—yet rarely offers a sustained theological account of how writing actually forms those who practice it. Writing is often framed instrumentally, as a means of processing experience, producing insight, or evaluating growth. This article proposes a different account: writing as a formative practice of attentiveness and presence within the life of the church. Drawing on the existential philosophy of Gabriel Marcel, particularly his articulation of experience, dialogue, and analysis, the article situates writing not primarily as a technique of reflection but as a receptive posture toward lived participation in God’s presence. Writing is shown to function as a threshold practice that sustains attention to experience, extends dialogue across time and absence, and clarifies meaning without mastery. When practiced faithfully, writing forms patience, availability, and fidelity while supporting communal discernment without reducing formation to technique.
