Three Stranded Cord of Spiritual Formation

3-Stranded CordAt The River, we are choosing to center our journey of formation in the image of a three-stranded cord. Each strand represents both 1) a strand of life with God that we believe all Christ-followers need to engage in at some level for wholeness and 2) a category of desires and opportunities into which you can choose to venture. Woven together, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Consider this three-stranded cord as your lifeline to God – your way of staying connected to the source, the Lord of journey, no matter how your specific excursions unfold.

The three strands are:

Union


Union represents the ultimate desire to be one with Jesus, to live fully out of His life within us. Much of how we foster union is found in spiritual practices established through the ages. These practices are intentional ways we open space in our lives for the shaping presence of God.  Christ-followers maturing in union develop Shalom with GOD.

Mission


We believe that God is on a Mission. Therefore following Jesus necessarily means joining God in that mission here and now. While God expresses deep concern for all who are lost, we believe the Scriptures express a particular concern for the weak and marginalized of every society. Participation in God’s mission to the least and lost is part of our spiritual formation. Christ-followers maturing in mission develop Shalom with OTHERS.

Healing


Healing refers to our focused attention on bringing the healing touch of Christ into those areas where we have been wounded through our sin and the sin of others. Our desire is to bring these wounds to the feet of Jesus where we find cleansing from the effects of these sins. We believe the wounded need to be brought to Jesus in a place of safety and love. Healing is a process, and our opportunities in this category are meant to foster that process as we seek Christ’s healing presence together. Christ-followers maturing in healing develop Shalom WITHIN.

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