For John Ortberg, all of life is a teachable moment. Every experience, sermon, book, or conversation can be used by God to reshape us in the likeness of Christ. Ortberg is among a few well-known preachers who specialize in spiritual formation, an approach to the inner life that has growing currency in Protestant circles.

As an author, Ortberg teaches readers to recognize the holy moments in everyday things, to see when God is at work. His bestsellers include The Life You've Always Wanted and If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat.

And as a pastor, he looks for opportunities when, through preaching and personal ministry, he can maximize those seasons when his people are especially open to the Spirit's transforming work.

After nine years as teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, Ortberg recently moved to California to assume the teaching pastorate of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. That's where Leadership editors Marshall Shelley ...