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About Renovaré

Helping people abide in and become more like Jesus

Founded by Richard J. Foster in 1988, Renovaré is a nonprofit committed to the renewal of the Church of Jesus Christ in all her multifaceted expressions.

Through resources like our weekly newsletter, online course, books, podcasts, and articles; programs and events like webinars, retreats, and the Renovaré Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation; and the Churches in Renewal Network, we offer a balanced vision and practical strategy for fullness of life with God.

The Renovaré Vision is simple and straightforward: a life of flaming love for God with all our ​“heart, soul, mind, and strength” and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

The Renovaré Covenant

A Place To Stand

The Renovaré Covenant is a statement of intention signed by thousands of people seeking continual renewal in Jesus.

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Our Story

Humble Start, Lasting Movement

While speaking at churches in the early ​’80s, Celebration of Discipline author Richard Foster found many Christians weren’t living an abundant, full life with God.

They were trying to be good; they needed training in the way of Jesus.

They were isolated, even in church; they needed authentic connection.

They had a myopic picture of Christ, his Church, and the Kingdom of God; they needed a panoramic view.

So with little more than a laser printer and a dream, Richard gathered a few friends — including Dallas Willard and James Bryan Smith — and founded Renovaré in 1988 to give people a balanced vision of life with God and a practical strategy for spiritual growth.

God grew these early seeds into the modern spiritual formation movement, visible now in thousands of churches, hundreds of books, dozens of organizations, and Renovaré’s ongoing work.

It is a movement of being with Jesus,
practicing his rhythms in community,
and becoming more like him from the inside out.

It is a movement, we believe, just catching its stride.

Core Ideas

  • Life with God
    The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with God himself at the center of this community as its prime Sustainer and most glorious Inhabitant.
  • The Availability of God’s Kingdom
    We can experience genuine, substantive life in God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ, beginning now and continuing through all eternity.
  • The Necessity of Grace
    We are utterly dependent upon Jesus Christ, our ever-living Savior, Teacher, Lord, and Friend, for genuine spiritual transformation.
  • The Means of Grace
    Amongst the variety of ways God has given for us to be open to his transforming grace, we recognize the crucial importance of intentional spiritual practices.
  • A Balanced Vision of Life in Christ
    We seek to embrace the abundant life of Jesus in all its fullness: contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, evangelical, and incarnational.
  • A Practical Strategy for Spiritual Formation
    We encourage the creation of Spiritual Formation Groups and other forms of spiritual friendship as solid foundations for mutual support and nurture.
  • The Centrality of Scripture
    We immerse ourselves in the Bible: it is the great revelation of God’s purposes in history, a sure guide for growth into Christlikeness, and a rich resource for our spiritual formation.
  • The Value of the Christian Tradition
    We are engaged in the historical ​“Great Conversation” on Spiritual Formation developed from Scripture by the Church’s classical spiritual writings.

The Renovaré Team

Since its beginnings as a group of friends from different Christian traditions, modeling unity amidst diversity continues to be a Renovaré distinctive.

Meet the Team

Beliefs

Renovaré stands within historic Christian orthodoxy and affirms The Apostles' and Nicene Creeds.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth; 
And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; 
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 
Born of the Virgin Mary, 
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
Was crucified, died, and buried; 
He descended into hell; 
The third day He rose again from the dead; 
He ascended into heaven, 
And sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 
From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. 
I believe in The Holy Spirit; 
The holy catholic Church; 
The communion of saints; 
The forgiveness of sins; 
The resurrection of the body; 
And the life everlasting. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed

Renovaré Weekly

Get to Know Renovaré Through Our Newsletter

Thoughtfully introduced spiritual formation articles, podcasts, and webinars to help you become more like Jesus.

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