Abstract
Effective spiritual development is faithful to biblical and creedal truths while remaining sensitive to localized church contexts. As the United States becomes increasingly multiethnic local congregations will experience increased diversity. This shift will necessitate evaluating approaches to spiritual formation in light of these ethnic dynamics. This article provides an overview of a philosophy of spiritual development from an evangelical perspective within the context of a multiethnic congregation. The arenas, influences, characteristics, and agents that shape spiritual formation will be explored with specific applications to multiethnic churches. This overview will shape a description of spiritual maturity and its importance for local congregations, specifically where diversity is present. This article presumes a context where ethnic groups are encouraged to express their ethnicity as members of God’s redemptive and global community.
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