Friends in Formation

Latest Episodes:

Bible Reading, Power Dynamics and Disciplines, & Dallas Willard's Relationship with God Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

On the season finale of Friends in Formation, Tiana and James get input from Becky Willard Heatley (daughter of Dallas Willard) on what Dallas’ relationship with God was like. James and Tiana also answer listener questions on how to read beyond favorite parts of the Bible and how power dynamics play into disciplines and spiritual formation.

Questioning, Square Pegs, Freedom vs. Lawlessness Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

James and Richella take on three listener questions with the help of priest and Renovaré Ministry Team member, Tiffany Clark. Together they explore how to walk alongside friends who are struggling with deep theological questions, how to welcome different types of people at church, and how to avoid letting freedom turn into lawlessness.

Going through Pain, Church Start-ups, and Dallas Willard’s Key Ideas Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

Where to Begin, Being Known, and the Role of Obedience May 15, 2026

Show notes

James and Richella discuss listener questions on which books to dive into when you’re just beginning the journey of formation and how to develop deeper trust and vulnerability in community, and guest contributor Brandon Rickabaugh helps answer the final question about the role of obedience in the process of formation.

Sabbath, Streams at Church, and What God’s doing in the American Church May 01, 2026

Show notes

James and Tiana take on listener questions about how to practice sabbath and how to explore the Streams of Christian tradition as a church, and guest contributor Ted Harro joins the cast for an important third question “What do you think that God is doing in the Church in America today?”

Show Notes

How do you each do sabbath?
How would you facilitate exploration of the Streams churchwide? What resources do you know of that could help us immerse ourselves in the Streams?
What do you think that God is doing in the Church in America today?

Mentioned

Streams of Living Water by Richard Foster
Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

Recommended

Tiana Spencer's recommendation: Living From the Heart Jesus Gave Me by Dr. Jim Wilder
James Catford's recommendation: Podcast: Philosophy For Our Time https://art19.com/shows/philosophy-for-our-times

Peace with Political Enemies, Surviving Parenthood, and Experimenting with Christian Traditions Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

This week on the Friends in Formation podcast, James and Richella discuss praying for your political enemies, surviving (and thriving) in parenthood, and how to encourage experimentation with practices from other Christian traditions.

"Traditional" Church, Minority Voices, and Interior Battles Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

This week on Friends in Formation, James and Tiana cover three listener questions on "traditional" church, minority voices in spiritual formation, and battling interior resistance to God.

God’s Voice, Avoiding Judgmentalism, & Children’s Deep Formation Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Host James Catford, co-host Richella Parham, and guest contributor Grace Pouch discuss listener questions on discerning God’s voice, the temptation to judge others, and best practices for shepherding children’s spiritual formation.

Spiritual Scorekeeping · Finding Real Friends · Content Overwhelm Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Kicking off the relaunch of Friends In Formation, James, Richella—and new host Tiana Spencer—discuss three listener questions: how to stop measuring your spiritual life by the world's standards, why genuine adult friendship feels so rare (and how to find it), and how to break free from the overwhelm of too many books and courses.

Friends in Formation is Back — New Season Trailer Feb 16, 2026

Show notes