THE DEEPLY FORMED LIFE

What are five values every Christian needs in order to find balance, focus, and meaning in today's relentlessly paced world? The answers may surprise you.

The world is faster and busier than it's ever been, with more noise and distraction unsettling our already restless souls. We are a people out of rhythm. For Christians who are frustrated with churches that only add to the hustle and bustle, there must be an answer in our interior spiritual life. We long for deeper, more meaningful faith.

The Five Key Pathways
1 • The Monastic Value: What does it mean to unplug everything and listen to your soul? How do you do it in a world full of noise?
2 • The Multiracial Value: Bringing a spiritual internal understanding to the work of racial justice.
3 • The Emotional Health Value: Our interior lives are disconnected, and emotional health requires deep love that can't come from shallow wells.
4 • The Healthy Sexuality Value: Christians need a new understanding of the connection between their physical bodies and their spiritual ones.
5 • The Missional Value: Bringing richer understanding to what a spiritual life is instead of a consumerist, disengaged spirituality

In an increasingly fractured time, where little common ground can be found, these pathways can transform lives from the inside out and empower people to follow Jesus through the divisive, pressing issues of our day.

Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large, multiracial church with more than seventy-three countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens. Prior to becoming lead pastor, he gave oversight to New Life's small group ministry and served as preaching pastor. Rich graduated with a BA in pastoral ministry and theology from Nyack College. He went on to complete his Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, and preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related issues, and the art of preaching.