The Four Areas of Formation

In short, if we are to understand the goals we are striving for in the work of evangelization, it will be done through formation in these four areas.

I like to highlight the four areas of formation as one of the fundamental components of discipleship focused ministry in a parish. If our work is to form disciples, these are a great starting point to see our work more wholistically in it’s approach.

The four areas are used in seminarian formation and in lay formation. The documents that speak about the four areas (primarily Pastores Dabo Vobis and Co-Workers in the Vineyard) are great resources for us to better understand formation in light of the work of discipleship and evangelization. Check out the four areas below for a brief introduction to them.

Human Formation

Human formation seeks to build qualities critical to form wholesome relationships. Human formation is necessary in becoming apt instruments of God’s love and compassion. When we think of human formation we typically think of ordinary things like (manners, self-discipline, finances, etc.) but human formation also includes areas like physical, mental, and emotional health.

Intellectual Formation

Intellectual formation seeks to build adequate knowledge in theological and pastoral studies, along with the intellectual skill to use that knowledge among the people and cultures of our country. Typically this includes studying the content and teachings of the faith.

Spiritual Formation

Spiritual formation seeks to form a spirituality and practice of prayer that roots the individual in God’s Trinitarian life, grounding and animating all that they do. Spiritual formation includes things like receiving the Sacraments, growing in your life of daily prayer, devotions, etc. While learning how to pray the rosary would be considered intellectual formation, praying the rosary is spiritual formation.

Pastoral/Apostolic Formation

Pastoral formation seeks to form the individual in the pastoral abilities called for in their role as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Simply put, being able to be attentive and responsive to the needs of others is another area of formation. While pastoral formation is it’s own area of formation, growth in the other three areas aids in the growth in pastoral formation.

How to Use the Four Areas of Formation?

You can imagine how our Lord desires to mold and fashion the best version of each person you are working with.  The four areas of formation are the areas that the Lord is desiring to form us in.  In short, if we are to understand the goals we are striving for in the work of evangelization, it will be done through formation in these four areas.  

I write about these and the other fundamentals in my book Discipleship Focused Youth Ministry if you’d like to learn more about them and how to apply them in the context of the work of discipleship.