FORMATION F ramework
F lourishingTHROUGH RIGHT RELAT IONSHIP WITH GOD, SELF, OTHERS AND CREATION
For humans to flourish, they must be in right relationship with God, self, others and in creation. It is being in these relationships that supports formation leading to flourishing. We believe flourishing to be consistent with shalom as depicted in scripture. It is through being in right relationship with God, self, others and creation that we can flourish then experience shalom.
In Scripture, shalom, or divine peace, embraces every dimension of human flourishing in a holistic way that touches every aspect of life. It first takes root as inner wholeness where Jesus promises “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives”, (John 14:27 NIV) integrating soul, mind and body in untroubled trust and freeing the heart from discord. It then extends outward as relational harmony where Paul urges us, “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. (Romans 12:18 NIV), calling us to active reconciliation that restores broken relational bonds and cultivates community. It preserves mental clarity and so sustains cognitive vitality by calming anxious thoughts and feelings: “and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:7). In the midst of trials, it undergirds
adaptive resilience through faith: “you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3 NIV), anchoring hope and empowering perseverance when circumstances threaten to overwhelm. Finally, it manifests in purposeful contribution to peacemaking and service: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9), equipping us to extend divine wholeness through acts of compassion, justice and stewardship in the world around us.
For humans to flourish, they must be in right relationship with God, self, others and in creation. It is being in these relationships that supports formation leading to flourishing. We believe flourishing to be consistent with shalom as depicted in scripture.
DIMENSIONS OF
Flourishing
INNER WHOLENESS
In order to flourish, we need to be made whole in body, soul and spirit through the healing ministry of Jesus Christ (3 John 1:2; Luke 4:18–19), and to stand justified by faith in Christ and His redeeming work (Romans 5:1), abiding continually in the peace that surpasses understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Flourishing means living abundantly in Christ because Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20).
RELATIONAL HARMONY
To flourish, we dwell in unity as brothers and sisters in Christ and love one another with deep affection (Psalm 133:1; Romans 12:10). Flourishing is maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace thus fostering mutual support and genuine fellowship (Ephesians 4:2–3). Flourishing means clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; and forgiving one another as Christ forgave us (Colossians 3:12–13).
COGNITIVE VITALITY
To flourish means our minds are continually renewed by God’s word as we seek wisdom from the Lord (Romans 12:2; John 17:17; James 1:5). Through rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) and sharpening our understanding of God and God’s word through counsel and instruction (Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20), we can use God’s insight and creativity in the service of His people and His kingdom (Exodus 35: 30-35).
ADAPTIVE RESILIENCE
To flourish means to listen and increase in learning (Proverbs 1:5), applying lessons learned through prayer, scripture and fellowship so that even setbacks refine our faith and deepen our resilience. (Psalm 119:71, James 1:2–4). Flourishing means persevering through trials with steadfast hope so that endurance produces character and hope that does not put us to shame (Romans 5:3–5). Flourishing means not giving up (Galatians 6:9) and not giving in (1 Corinthians 10:13).
PURPOSEFUL CONTRIBUTION
To flourish means caring for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick and the imprisoned as if serving Christ Himself (Matthew 25:35–36). It means faithful stewardship of the earth and its resources under God’s sovereignty, giving thanks for every good gift (Genesis 1:28–31; Psalm 24:1). It means to looking forward to the new heavens and new earth where God will dwell among His people (Revelation 21:1–5), living now as witnesses to His coming kingdom.
Flourishing
FORMING AND THROUGH OUR LEARNER/ GRADUATE PROFILE
We model formation in wisdom, as instantiated in our learner/graduate attributes, prior to flourishing. In other words, as and when students are formed in wisdom according to our learner/ graduate attributes, that formation leads to inner wholeness, relational harmony, cognitive vitality, adaptive resilience and purposeful contribution to family, college and community.
Formation
IN GODLY CHARACTER
INNER WHOLENESS
We form students in the wisdom of Godly character across every dimension of college life— curricular, co-curricular, and communal—so that integrity, humility, and compassion become habitual dispositions. As learners encounter scripture, prayer, and Godly mentors, they internalise moral and spiritual discernment
that anchors their emotions and relationships, developing the peace and contentment needed to face anxiety, grief, or conflict with grace. This deep character formation aligns their desires with God’s will and equips them to pursue righteousness in all of life, thereby cultivating enduring inner wholeness.
Formation
IN COLLABORATION
RELATIONAL HARMONY
We form students in the wisdom of collaboration by embedding shared responsibility, mutual support and respectful dialogue in learning activities, group endeavours and community interaction. Students collaborate by listening attentively, offering encouragement and navigating differences with grace. In doing so, they seek to amplify
one another’s gifts, draw on collective strengths and celebrate the unique contributions of each person. These shared experiences forge enduring bonds that extend beyond the classroom, sustaining a supportive, harmonious college community grounded in the unity of Christ.
Formation
IN CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING
COGNITIVE VITALITY
We form students in the wisdom of discernment and creativity by encouraging thoughtful evaluation and imaginative exploration in academic and practical tasks. As learners test ideas against Scripture, they develop insight and the confidence to pursue their Godgiven ideas and inspiration. Trusting that the Lord gives wisdom, they
root their inquiry in truth even as they imagine possibilities for the future. The union of truth and imagination enlivens students’ minds through the spirit of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7), enabling them to take every thought captive to Christ in service of God’s kingdom (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Formation
IN LIFELONG LEARNING
ADAPTIVE RESILIENCE
We form students in the wisdom of lifelong learning by instilling habits of reflection, curiosity and teachability in every context. As learners embrace ongoing study and openness to fresh insight, they heed Scripture’s call to increase in learning. Drawing on both knowledge and faith, sustained formation in and through learning
enables students to adapt to changing circumstances, recover from setbacks and maintain a clear sense of direction at every stage of life. Through the habitus of learning, students develop and practice adaptive resilience that undergirds them in the face of challenge and uncertainty.
Formation IN SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
PURPOSEFUL CONTRIBUTION
We form students in the wisdom of compassion and engagement by connecting classroom learning to service, advocacy and mission so that responding to real needs becomes a natural expression of faith. As they live out Jesus’ teaching to care for others, they learn justice, mercy and the joy of sacrificial love. Through meaningful outreach in
local and global contexts, students sharpen their cultural awareness, counter isolation and bear tangible witness to God’s restorative work in the world -discovering that their contributions matter both to others and in turn, to their own flourishing.
FORMATION IN Practice
Each dimension of flourishing (inner wholeness, relational harmony, cognitive vitality, adaptive resilience, purposeful contribution) grows out of right relationships. Right relationship with God gives us peace, with self gives us clarity and integrity, with others gives us community and reconciliation, and with creation gives us purpose. Together, these form the holistic flourishing of shalom.
RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS, FORMATION AND Flourishing
FLOURISHING DIMENSION
RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH SELF
RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS
RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH CREATION
INNER WHOLENESS
RELATIONAL HARMONY
Deepens a sense of worth by grounding identity in divine love, thereby integrating soul, mind, and body
Inspires reconciliation with others through modelling divine forgiveness, thus restoring peaceful relationships
Enables honest self-awareness that heals internal divisions, producing integrated flourishing
Fosters mutual acceptance that affirms individual identity within community
Encourages stewardship that unites personal purpose with the larger ecological whole
Cultivates self-compassion that diffuses defensive reactions, enabling more harmonious interactions
Promotes active listening and empathy that resolve conflict and strengthen bonds
Guides respectful engagement with nature that mirrors and reinforces harmonious human relationships
COGNITIVE VITALITY
ADAPTIVE RESILIENCE
Illuminates understanding by inviting reflection on divine truth, sharpening discernment and insight
Builds mental clarity by encouraging accountability to one’s own thoughts and feelings
Stimulates learning as shared inquiry and mutual contribution with others
Sparks curiosity through observation of creation’s richness and complexity
Sustains hope in adversity by trusting in divine faithfulness, which bolsters perseverance
Strengthens inner resources by fostering self-care practices that regulate emotion under stress
Builds relational support networks that provide practical and emotional assistance during trials
Provides restorative encounters with nature that replenish energy and foster flexible coping
PURPOSEFUL CONTRIBUTION
Aligns personal service with divine mission, motivating meaningful action beyond self-interest
Clarifies individual strengths and values, guiding choices that translate into purposeful engagement
Creates opportunities to serve others’ needs, reinforcing communal purpose
Directs sustainable practices that protect and renew the environment, embodying the vocation of stewardship
