Transforming Moment / Transforming Journey

In times of pastoral transition, I often have the privilege of sitting on the platform and engaging in a conversation with a prospective pastor as the congregation listens in. In the course of our dialogue, I sometimes ask, “Transforming Moment or Transforming Journey?” I’ve never needed to explain the question to a pastor. They immediately grasp the meaning. It highlights the creative tension between crisis and process in spiritual formation.

Of course, in our tradition, the answer can be “Moment” or “Journey” or “Moment and Journey.”  The best answer is “Both.” We find our discipleship lacking when we disregard either one.

As a child of the American Holiness Movement, I have always appreciated and gravitated toward the transforming moment. Transforming moments are specific occasions when we experience God’s grace in a profound, life-altering way – we are converted, or filled with the Spirit, or called to ministry, or make a covenant, or receive divine guidance, etc. Most of the transforming moments in my life have taken place at an altar.

Altar calls are important because they provide space for defining moments and milestones in a person’s spiritual journey.  (Pastors, don’t become discouraged if altars are sometimes barren. It can take a while for seeds to emerge after they are planted.) One of the reasons why camps and retreats and revivals are so important is because they provide opportunities for transforming moments.

We must be aware of, and sensitive to, opportunities for transforming moments.  But we must also be aware of, and sensitive to, the importance of a discipleship process that intentionally helps people grow in their faith—the transforming journey.

Transforming moments are critical, but so is the transforming journey. The Israelites left Egypt in a defining moment, but they still had to journey to the Promised Land.  And even after crossing the Jordan in a single event, they still needed to inhabit the land. The reason this metaphor resonates with holiness folks is that it captures the dynamic relationship between crisis and process, between transforming moment and transforming journey.

As important as the camp, retreat, and revival is, the ongoing week-by-week ministry of the local church is equally important. Small groups, Sunday School classes, mentoring conversations, the regular preaching of the Word, daily devotions, service opportunities—all contribute to the transforming journey that helps form us into Christlike disciples.

It’s always fascinated me that God didn’t create everything at once. There is a progression, a process to the work of Creation. Granted, every day is markedly different from the day before. There are definitely transforming moments, such as when light, water, and life appear. But there is also a transforming journey—a day-by-day process to Creation. The same is true of New Creation.

Transforming Moment or Transforming Journey?  Both!  Thanks be to God.