InterVarsity Press will cosponsor the "Formation in Christlikeness: The Process of Change" conference in Wichita, Kansas, on September 23-24, 2011. The partnership with Renovaré, a foundational presence in spiritual formation for more than twenty years, and the Aprentis Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation is part of IVP's larger vision to advance spiritual formation in the body of Christ through The Apprentice Series and Formatio books.

"Formatio books from InterVarsity Press teach and embrace the deep spiritual calling to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ," Bob Fryling, publisher, said. "Consequently we are delighted to be a cosponsor of the 'Formation in Christlikeness' conference as we together celebrate and help equip others to become more like our Savior."

Several IVP authors will be plenary speakers at the event including Dallas Willard, Mindy Caliguire, Scot McKnight and James Bryan Smith. Smith, the author of The Apprentice Series and director of the Aprentis Institute, designed the series with IVP to guide readers in an apprenticeship with Jesus based on a simple structure for producing transformation that is outlined in each of three books: The Good and Beautiful God, The Good and Beautiful Life and The Good and Beautiful Community.

Seminars will also be offered in addition to the plenary addresses. Fryling will lead a seminar called "The Spiritual Formation of the Leader" drawing on themes from his book The Leadership Ellipse, while Jeff Crosby, IVP associate publisher, will lead one titled "Publishing for Formation in the 21st Century."

"The Aprentis Institute is doing great work fostering the application of the classical Christian disciplines through the academy, the church and group life contexts," Crosby said. "We are pleased to link arms with the Institute and Renovaré as together we explore the process of formation in Christlikeness. It’s at the core of what our Formatio line of books is all about."

The event, hosted by Friends University, will explore the process of formation from a variety of perspectives and will include topics such as the elements of transformation, how the Bible guides transformation and how transformation affects our relationships and society. For more information about this event visit www.apprenticeofjesus.org. Seating is limited to the first six hundred people registered.