Faith formation for the life of the world
👤 DJ Muller
On 30 October 2024, the Andrew Murray Centre for Spirituality in Wellington hosted an inspiring day of theological reflection and faith-centered discussion, organised by VBO. Titled “Faith Formation within the Church for the Life of the World,” this event drew a diverse group of voices from across church traditions, bringing together clergy, theologians, and those dedicated to spiritual growth and community service. The gathering explored how faith can grow in the individual and the broader community, not only within church walls but as a transformative presence in the world.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Rowan Williams, brought profound insights on the role of learning, gratitude, and community in spiritual formation. A renowned theologian, Dr. Williams served as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012 and is widely recognised for his deep scholarship and commitment to social justice. His academic background spans literature, philosophy, and theology, and his work reflects a unique blend of intellectual rigor and pastoral compassion. As an advocate for interfaith dialogue, Dr. Williams has also emphasised the need for the church to engage meaningfully with contemporary cultural and social issues. His keynote at this event focused on the idea of the church as a community that embodies learning, humility, and gratitude.
Dr. Rowan Williams: Identity beyond a “system”
Dr. Williams began by sharing a warm greeting, reflecting on the joy of seeing familiar faces and the importance of friendship and connection in Christian life. He introduced a provocative concept from his friend and fellow theologian, Christos Yannaras, who argued that Christianity should not be viewed as a mere “system” of ideas or ethics. Yannaras believed that Christian identity is rooted in the collective life of the church—what he called the way, the family of God, and the body of Christ—rather than a set of doctrines or moral obligations. “To be a Christian,” Dr. Williams explained, “is to belong in a different kind of family, to model a different kind of corporate life, to enter a level of interdependence that we would never dream of alone.”

Through this lens, he described the church not as a system but as a “new creation” in which individuals and communities experience “a landscape with a new horizon.” Faith, according to Dr. Williams, is about entering a profound kinship that reshapes how people see themselves and relate to one another, creating a network of interdependence and shared purpose.
Gratitude as a foundation for transformation
One of the central themes Dr. Williams emphasised was gratitude. He recounted that in Christianity, “Thanksgiving,” or Eucharistia, lies at the heart of the community’s relationship with Christ. Gratitude, he suggested, begins with an acknowledgment of “what has happened to us that we did not ask for or earn,” a grace-filled surprise that not only fulfils but transforms human longing. “Grace,” he stated, “is never expected, never imagined, always desired.” For Dr. Williams, gratitude allows individuals to see the world differently, opening their eyes to God’s presence in places they might least expect.
This theme of grateful recognition threaded through his entire message, urging the church to model a faith that draws people into wonder, rather than anxiety. He noted how often churches communicate messages of worry rather than hope, commenting that “Nine times out of ten, what the world hears from the church is anxiety… see how those Christians worry about each other, rather than how they love one another.” For Dr. Williams, gratitude is an antidote to such worry, inviting believers to trust that “the church exists because God exists,” reassuring them that the future of the church rests in God’s hands.

Voices of the broader church community
Throughout the day, each speaker contributed unique insights, shedding light on their respective traditions and experiences. Ps. Felix Meylahn, drawing from the Lutheran tradition, emphasised the lifelong nature of catechism as a means of formation. He spoke of “praying the catechism” and learning by heart the rituals and words that shape Christian identity. For Meylahn, liturgy is a “reenactment of the drama of God’s unconditional faithfulness,” helping believers find their place within a “wildly graceful story.”
Rt. Rev. Stafford Moses of the Anglican Church shared a deeply personal narrative of faith, describing his journey through confirmation, ordination, and ministry. His reflections underscored the continuous nature of formation, noting that even as a bishop, his spiritual growth is ongoing. He highlighted that Anglican identity is profoundly Eucharistic, urging believers to “become one with Christ and share God’s love with all God’s people.”
Dr. Lisel Joubert offered a thoughtful critique of the Dutch Reformed Church’s identity struggles. She observed that many within the church feel “a hunger for something authentic.” Joubert reflected on the challenge of moving beyond superficial engagement, describing a need for the church to deeply “taste” its practices rather than simply “dabbling” in them, thereby re-engaging with traditions and rituals that ground its theological heritage.
The unanxious church: A final call
In his closing remarks, Dr. Williams returned to the idea of faith formation as a dynamic process grounded in gratitude, learning, and community. He warned against an overemphasis on self-focused anxiety about the church’s future. “If our anxiety about the future of the church rises to a certain level,” he said, “we are actually betraying our very sense of what the church is.” Reflecting on the church as a “learning church,” he noted that discipleship inherently means embracing a lifelong journey of self-awareness, humility, and growth.
Dr. Williams also called upon attendees to look deeply at their anxieties, citing Martin Luther’s notion of tentatio, or spiritual struggle, as an essential part of faith. True spiritual growth, he suggested, requires believers to face their anxieties head-on. “Look anxiety fully in the face and recognise just how deep it bites in your heart,” he advised, adding that it is only through this honest confrontation that one truly experiences God’s sustaining grace.
His final message urged the church to be a community that models “unanxious living,” finding its foundation in God’s unchanging presence rather than fluctuating circumstances. “The church is because God is,” Dr. Williams reminded, offering a powerful conclusion that left attendees with a vision of faith rooted in confidence and gratitude.

A faithful and learning church
As the day concluded, participants were left with a renewed sense of what it means to be a church committed to learning, gratitude, and a faith formation that reaches every aspect of life. Dr. Williams’ reflections, combined with the perspectives of each speaker, painted a picture of a church that is both deeply rooted and ever-growing, dedicated to living out its calling “for the life of the world.”
This gathering reminded everyone present that a faithful church is one that embraces learning, embodies gratitude, and ultimately seeks to reveal God’s love in the world.
Listen to a further conversation
Following the main event, a small group of people, Marnus Havenga (VBO) and Dr. Williams engaged in a very interesting conversation on vocation, calling, and the lifelong journey of faith. Reflecting on the Eucharist as a place of both divine and human connection, Dr. Williams delved into how Christian identity is shaped through listening, self-awareness, and spiritual practice.
Drawing on personal experiences in spiritual direction, he shares valuable insights on the “long haul” of ministry, offering guidance on how routines of prayer and attentiveness can sustain faith, even amidst life’s distractions and difficulties. This intimate conversation beautifully concluded a day focused on the role of the church as a learning, grateful, and unanxious community, inspiring us to see faith formation as an ongoing, life-giving process.