Recently I listened to a podcast with Dr. Gerry Crete, a therapist and Christian, who spoke about the importance of human formation. By this he meant developing skills like responsibility, sincerity, balanced judgment, and compassion — alongside our spiritual and intellectual growth.
That struck me. It explains something I’ve seen both as a pastor and later as a human resources professional.
When “Spiritual” Isn’t Enough
As a pastor, I sometimes met people who were deeply committed to prayer and Scripture, yet struggled in daily life. They might miss meetings, resist feedback, or neglect to support others. Their hearts were sincere, but the absence of practical skills — time management, good communication, setting boundaries — made it hard for them to live out love in ordinary ways.
Some even resisted the idea of learning such skills, saying, “The Bible and prayer are enough for me.” Of course prayer and Scripture are essential, but Christ calls us to love God with all we are — heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). That means cultivating wisdom in every area of life.
Skills Without Grace
In human resources, I saw the opposite. There was no prayer or sacramental grace, but there was a clear investment in human formation: leadership training, teamwork, project management, feedback skills. These didn’t make people holy, but they did make organizations run more smoothly and helped people treat one another with greater respect.
It made me realize: both sides need each other. Faith without human maturity struggles to take root in daily life. Skills without faith lack the grace that transforms. Together, they build something whole.
Where Can You Grow?
If you already have a strong spiritual foundation — perhaps regular prayer, Mass, and even formal study — maybe it’s time to ask: what human formation would help me love better this year?
Here are some examples:
At work
- Responding calmly to disagreements.
- Delivering projects with excellence, on time and on budget.
- Honoring commitments, even in small things.
- Owning mistakes with humility, and making them right.
At home
- Creating a warm, welcoming environment.
- Guiding your children in healthy conflict resolution.
- Organizing your space so it serves your family well.
- Planning with your spouse so life feels less chaotic.
As a friend
- Rejoicing with those who rejoice, mourning with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).
- Remembering birthdays and milestones with a simple text or card.
- Giving full, undistracted attention in conversations.
In church life
- Praying for your leaders and supporting their work.
- Balancing spiritual, intellectual, and human growth with humility.
- Volunteering consistently, bringing encouragement and persistence.
Ordinary Skills, Extraordinary Love
Human formation doesn’t mean striving for perfection or adding more to an already full plate. It means letting God shape your ordinary habits so that love can flow more freely through them. Think of biblical figures like Joseph in Egypt or Daniel in Babylon. They were prayerful men, yes — but they also had the skills to manage people, solve problems, and lead nations.
Jesus Himself entered fully into human life. He learned, worked, and related to others with wisdom and responsibility. If He cared enough to grow in these ways (Luke 2:52), shouldn’t we?
Final Reflection
We are all works in progress. But we also have an astonishing capacity to learn, grow, and be formed by God’s grace.
So here’s the question: What is one way you can become more loving — a greater gift to the people around you — this week?
Resource:
Dr. Gerry Crete on Pints with Aquinas, about therapy and faith.
Veritable with Emma 
Leave a comment