An Investment for Formation
I have shared previously how Christians need to devote more focus on cultivating a biblical worldview that gives rise to values and then behaviors that are consistent with that worldview. We are too easily—I am too easily—swept along in the worldview, values, and behaviors of our culture. When Christians are deeply rooted in Christ, wise and gracious engagement with the world becomes a natural expression of mature discipleship. This is what the Colson Fellowship aims to form. But don’t just take it from me—three of our members are soon to be commissioned as Colson Fellows. Here is what they have to share about the impact that this fellowship has had on their formation.
Terry & Barb
Many years ago, we met and got to know each other through a book club and intensive Bible studies, so the Colson Fellowship seemed like a sweet return to some special territory for us. On top of that, both of us were encountering challenging interactions with people who were very confident in their post-modern worldviews. As a teacher at a secular school, Barb works every day with students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Terry volunteers with a homeless ministry, which really reveals people’s flimsy notions about hope. Of course, our exposure to non-Christian worldviews goes way beyond these experiences from day to day.
The Hurdles
Before we share more about the Colson Fellowship’s impact on us, perhaps it’s best we address those pesky elephants in the room: cost and homework. The tuition fee for the Colson Fellowship is $900 but is made available to Westview members for $450. Yes, we questioned the financial investment at first, but when we thought about it more in terms of a monthly fee over ten months—$45 a month or just $10ish a week—it seemed well worth it.
And, yes, we were a bit concerned about the amount of reading and homework involved. The Colson Center estimates the Fellowship requires 7-8 hours of work each week between listening to podcasts and webinars and reading books and articles. We found ways to tackle our assignments so it didn’t feel so much like solitary reading, reading, reading. For example, we often used the daily devotionals for our family breakfast or dinnertime devotions. We listened to chunks of audiobooks, as well as the Breakpoint podcasts, during car trips. Terry would say he is not a reader whatsoever, but he did it and enjoyed it, especially the books that involved stories of transformation. Barb especially appreciated the arsenal of illustrations and models that continue to prove helpful in the classroom when values- and worldview-related topics are at the forefront.
And, yes, we were a bit concerned about the amount of reading and homework involved. The Colson Center estimates the Fellowship requires 7-8 hours of work each week between listening to podcasts and webinars and reading books and articles. We found ways to tackle our assignments so it didn’t feel so much like solitary reading, reading, reading. For example, we often used the daily devotionals for our family breakfast or dinnertime devotions. We listened to chunks of audiobooks, as well as the Breakpoint podcasts, during car trips. Terry would say he is not a reader whatsoever, but he did it and enjoyed it, especially the books that involved stories of transformation. Barb especially appreciated the arsenal of illustrations and models that continue to prove helpful in the classroom when values- and worldview-related topics are at the forefront.
The Impact
But what overall difference did the Colson Fellowship make in our lives? For one, our ability to discern Christian from non-Christian values in media, conversations, etc., was sharpened. We can hardly watch a movie, read an article, or be in dialogue with an unbelieving friend or family member without thinking back to our Colson Fellowship studies.
Second, the Colson Fellowship provided some helpful historical background on how our society got from “there to here,” why this “civilizational moment” seems so wacky and hard. At the same time, it grew our confidence and resolve to step into these wacky and hard times with faith and tried-and-trusted tools.
Third, speaking of wacky and hard, as parents, we believe this course is a must. Take even a quick trip to Target with kids in tow, and they’re bound to see or hear something that butts up against the Christian worldview. For us, the Colson Fellowship has helped us better navigate conversations with our daughter around dating, gender confusion, pride flags, etc., and we have noticed a new strength in her convictions as a result.
Finally, compassion. The Colson Fellowship did a remarkable job in showing the errors of the world’s current ways and reminding us to think of it all and approach it all with a Christlike, compassionate heart. Yes, the state of our world can often stir up a lot of anger and tempt us to retreat, but thanks to the Colson Fellowship, we feel more motivated and ready to lean in and love well with the gospel.
Second, the Colson Fellowship provided some helpful historical background on how our society got from “there to here,” why this “civilizational moment” seems so wacky and hard. At the same time, it grew our confidence and resolve to step into these wacky and hard times with faith and tried-and-trusted tools.
Third, speaking of wacky and hard, as parents, we believe this course is a must. Take even a quick trip to Target with kids in tow, and they’re bound to see or hear something that butts up against the Christian worldview. For us, the Colson Fellowship has helped us better navigate conversations with our daughter around dating, gender confusion, pride flags, etc., and we have noticed a new strength in her convictions as a result.
Finally, compassion. The Colson Fellowship did a remarkable job in showing the errors of the world’s current ways and reminding us to think of it all and approach it all with a Christlike, compassionate heart. Yes, the state of our world can often stir up a lot of anger and tempt us to retreat, but thanks to the Colson Fellowship, we feel more motivated and ready to lean in and love well with the gospel.
A Taste of the Colson Fellowship: May 2
We look forward to facilitating Westview's Colson Fellowship cohort come fall, both to keep the momentum going in our own lives and to share the gift the Colson Fellowship was and continues to be to us. Please consider joining us at our home on the morning of May 2 for a "Taste of the Colson Fellowship" complete with brunch, video lectures, and discussions that introduce the course's foundational concepts. Even if the whole Colson Fellowship course isn't doable for you right now, we welcome you to the table for a special morning together.
Ben
Have you ever had the experience of engaging with a non-believing friend or family member, and they express something that feels off to you, but you struggle to articulate why that is the case? Or, perhaps, it is someone who still claims to be a “Christian,” but they have drifted to embrace cultural values that are overtly contrary to Scripture. How did they get there and how do you disciple them through it?
A benefit of the Colson Fellowship is to give you the language and tools to understand and address these clashing worldviews—not in order to “win the argument,” but in order to better love people, engage them with the gospel, and expose the ways they have subtly been duped by the enemy.
At Westview, we are following Christ in all of life. A biblically-informed worldview serves like a tuning fork, exposing the distortions and disharmony that still so often reside in our own hearts that we might grow in greater conformity to Christ.
Whether to equip you in engaging in evangelism, becoming “all things to all people, that by all means, [you] might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22)—or making an investment in your own clarity of a biblical worldview—the Colson Fellowship is well worth your engagement.
A benefit of the Colson Fellowship is to give you the language and tools to understand and address these clashing worldviews—not in order to “win the argument,” but in order to better love people, engage them with the gospel, and expose the ways they have subtly been duped by the enemy.
At Westview, we are following Christ in all of life. A biblically-informed worldview serves like a tuning fork, exposing the distortions and disharmony that still so often reside in our own hearts that we might grow in greater conformity to Christ.
Whether to equip you in engaging in evangelism, becoming “all things to all people, that by all means, [you] might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22)—or making an investment in your own clarity of a biblical worldview—the Colson Fellowship is well worth your engagement.