In chapter 64 of the Book of Isaiah, the prophet says, “O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand” (v. 8). Several other verses in Scripture liken God to the potter and humankind to clay. In chapter 9 of his letter to the Romans, St. Paul further develops this image, making a case for God’s sovereignty. I have always found comfort in the metaphor of God as a potter who shapes the clay of humankind. But in a modern age of individualism with its buffet of choices, it may be an increasingly unpopular image.
I personally don’t read the image of God as a potter to be a controlling God of predestinarianism. Rather, I interpret the image as distinguishing God from humankind, making a distinction between a perfect and eternally creative God and imperfect and finite human existence. What appeals to me in the Scriptural images of potter and clay is the dynamic creativity at work in both of them. God’s creative shaping of our lives is for our good. And yet such a God doesn’t forcefully shape us. If the clay is too hard or recalcitrant, it will not be formed into a vase. If we are too stubborn and self-consumed, we will fail to be malleable to God’s hands.
If God is a potter and we are clay in his hands, then we are intended to be shaped and formed by God. The spiritual life becomes a process of allowing God to shape us so that we can grow more and more into the likeness of God. We are created in God’s image, and yet we must continually be molded by God’s grace working in our lives. This shaping happens, of course, in the liturgy. The liturgy is not primarily educative, but it has educative effects. If you want to learn to be a good Christian, going to church is the way to start.
But we supplement this liturgical shaping with Christian formation. At Good Shepherd, we use the word “formation” quite intentionally (rather than “education”). Education suggests something that is head-centered. Formation implies something that is more holistic, pertaining to heart, mind, body, and soul. We could also say that our “primary theology” is our worship. We come together in community to worship God and offer prayer and our lives for transformation. But our “secondary theology” is our reflection on such worship, which is at the heart of Christian formation.
There’s a deep interest in Christian formation at Good Shepherd. During the program year (September through May), we offer regular formation for both children and adults on Sundays. This Sunday (June 15) will be the first meeting of our summer formation series, which brings children and adults together to learn about their faith. The topic is “Lives Shaped by God,” and you can view the list of topics and meetings online. In this formation series, children and adults will tell stories and participate in discussions on central stories and topics of our faith. This Sunday, we begin with a look at the liturgical year. Following the story or presentation in each meeting, we will have interactive discussions or collaborative games as we learn more about each other and the topics presented. Above all, I hope this formation series will be enjoyable, allowing adults and children to uphold one another in their common lives of discipleship. I hope to see you this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish House. (Enter via the office door off the circle drive, take a left once inside, go up the steps, and we’ll be in the first room on your right.) There will be snacks for children!
Another significant means of formation within the parish is our Pilgrims in Christ process, which prepares people for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church, and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows. Some people simply participate in Pilgrims to further their own spiritual growth. Pilgrims is not so much a series of classes as it is a process, a process of being continually molded, as clay, by the loving hand of God. While Pilgrims in Christ has just concluded after nine months of regularly gathering for teaching, discussion, and theological reflection, we’re already looking toward next program year.
This year, in our Pilgrims process, we had four people prepared for Baptism, as well as numerous others preparing for Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church, and Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows. But we also had one lifelong Christian and seasoned Episcopalian participate as well. Pilgrims is not only for newcomers to the church. Indeed, I strongly encourage all—especially experienced Episcopalians!—to consider this formation process. Here’s what some of this past year’s pilgrims had to say about their experience.
Good Shepherd's “Pilgrims” class is aptly named. Our weekly sessions became a journey that broadened my knowledge of the Episcopal Anglo-Catholic tradition while deepening my Christian faith. Moreover, the insights and questions from my fellow pilgrims quickly became a much anticipated weekly blessing.
The Pilgrims in Christ course was an extraordinary experience with in-depth discussions of the key concepts of Christianity in the context of the unique traditions of the Anglo-Catholic church. The course combined with regular attendance at Mass at the Church of the Good Shepherd prepared me for the life-changing experience of becoming a baptized Episcopalian.
Every part that reached me felt like exactly what I had been seeking. Pilgrims opened a door for me into the heart of Christianity, and I’m deeply grateful for the grace and wisdom shared in this journey.
I found Pilgrims to be a valuable exploration of the Episcopal and Anglo-Catholic traditions and viewpoints as well as a useful review of key Christian concepts more generally. I found it particularly helpful in illustrating the interweaving of practice (worship, prayer) and principle (faith, theology).
Pilgrims is a beautiful, deeply nurturing experience that provides a solid grounding in Christianity and the Episcopal faith—its history, holy texts, worship, and spirituality. It was joyous, illuminating, and ever-surprising. I loved every minute of it.
While I have been associated with Episcopal churches for many years, both personally and professionally, I am relatively new to Anglo-Catholic worship. I was surprised not only by how much I learned in Pilgrims but also by how much my faith increased as a result of the course. Getting to know other parishioners on a deeper level was an added benefit.
If you’re interested in being shaped by God as a complement to regular worship and prayer, consider participating in Pilgrims in Christ in the 2025-2026 program year. You may register online now. You may also view the 2025-2026 schedule of meetings and topics online. In 2026-2026 Pilgrims will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Parish House.
One of the most invigorating and inspiring aspects of our parish life is the curiosity, intelligence, and spiritual hunger among parishioners. I’ve found that our theological conversations—whether in Sunday adult formation classes, Pilgrims, or children’s formation—have enriched my own spiritual life. If you’re looking for a way to engage with your faith in a way that extends beyond Sunday Mass, I heartily encourage you to join us this summer on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Beginning next program year, monthly adult formation will occur on Zoom, so stay tuned for an announcement about topics and presenters.
One of the great paradoxes of the spiritual life is that the more we submit to God and allow ourselves to be shaped by him, the freer we become. God is the potter, we are the clay. This is wonderfully good news because in the hands of an all-loving, merciful, eternally creative God, we will discover that God can indeed do “infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle