By Anya Ressler

Volume 67, No. 2

This year, Spiritual Formation Opportunities (SFOs) look more like normal, but they are still different than usual. In the 2020-2021 academic year, SFOs weren’t required due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Office of Spiritual Formation is easing students back into attending. 

In normal semesters, 20 SFOs were required, but this semester it has been lowered to seven. In the spring, it will rise to 15.

“SFOs include everything from large worship gatherings to small Bible studies with diverse leaders and topics,” Linda Leon, director of spiritual formation, said. “They are part of the distinctive Malone experience and contribute to students’ holistic growth. SFOs create routine, connection and a deeper sense of Malone’s Christian values.”

“Last year, when SFOs weren’t required, I realized I had taken them for granted,” Senior Clay Karnes said. “I have a newfound appreciation for SFOs and the updates to them.”

Logging SFO credits has also changed this year. Senior Ashlynn Koeppe remembers swiping her ID at every SFO she attended, which was inconvenient if someone forgot.

Instead, SFO credits will be tracked through the iAttended app. Once it’s downloaded and you enter your Malone email, scan the QR code at an SFO to log your attendance.

To get all seven credits, there are hundreds of SFOs available.

Community Worship is a large gathering that looks different week to week, held in the JC Worship Center on Wednesdays at 10:05 a.m. Celebration includes student-led games, worship and messages on alternate Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. in the East Campus building.