Going through Pain, Church Start-ups, and Dallas Willard’s Key Ideas
This week on Friends in Formation, James and Tiana answer questions about staying connected to God in seasons of intense pain and tips for church start-ups. They’re joined by professor and Willard scholar Keith Matthews to answer the third question about how to understand Dallas Willard’s main ideas.
This Week’s Listener Questions
- From Misty — How can a Christian grow in Christ when a crisis derails their life? Based with constant pain, unable to take care of themselves, all spiritual practices unavailable?
- From Sam — What advice do you have for starting a new church plant that I probably haven’t already heard?
- From Steve— I’ve been listening to Dallas Willard for a long time, But I still don’t quite get what he is saying. Can you help me?
Serve What You’re Cooking
What the cast is currently reading, watching, and listening to.
- Recommended by James Hearing God in Poetry by Richard Harries
- Tiana’s favorite track at the moment: Real Thing — Maverick City; Most Beautiful/So in love- Maverick City
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Tiana Spencer
Tiana Spencer is a Bible teacher, preacher, and story-informed spiritual formation guide with decades of ministry experience. Holding a Biblical Studies degree from Biola University and trained in trauma-informed care through The Allender Center, she teaches at the intersection of Scripture and personal story. As the founder of Intentionally Her, Tiana is passionate about creating emotionally safe spaces where people of all backgrounds can experience healing, freedom, and joy in the presence of God.
Keith Matthews
Keith J. Matthews is Faculty Emeritus & Professor of Spiritual Formation and
Leadership in the Graduate Ministry Department of Azusa Pacific University. He is
an ordained pastor, speaker, author, formational coach, and a senior faculty for
Dallas Willard’s School of Kingdom Living. Keith is married to Christa and has
three grown children and two grandchildren and resides in Los Osos, California.
James Catford
James Catford has spent his career at the intersection of publishing, leadership, and spiritual formation, working with many authors closely connected to Renovaré. He led the British Bible Society for fourteen years, founded the think tank Theos, and later chaired SPCK, the UK’s largest Christian publisher. He now serves as founding chair of the Center for Christianity and Public Life in Washington, D.C., and on the board of the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. He is married to Sue, a former TV anchor and media executive.
Richella Parham
Richella is Chair of the Renovaré Board of Trustees. With a background in small business, education, and church leadership, Richella is a speaker and the author of Mythical Me (IVP) and A Spiritual Formation Primer. She is the mother of three young adult sons and lives with her husband Jack in Durham, North Carolina. Read her full bio and connect with Richella at richellajparham.com.