The Book

How does God change the human heart?

Shape Shifters is a bold spiritual adventure in pursuit of the elusive change Christians are looking for. During a time when moral failures in Christian leadership seem to be too common, followers of Jesus are looking for authentic, real heart change that is grounded in Scripture, God-centered, and verified by the historical Church. Above all, we want a model of spiritual transformation that works.

Willpower has failed.

Trendy, self-help techniques leave us unfulfilled.

Simplistic answers no longer satisfy.

We all want to experience change and we know it is God’s desire to conform us into the image of Jesus, but where do we begin?

Written from a pastor’s heart and a scholar’s mind, Shape Shifters is a deeply personal book. Derek draws from the Scripture, church history, and contemporary discussions of spiritual transformation and integrates them into his own experience to open up the door to real life change.

From the Introduction:

Derek writes, "I have written this book out of my own journey. It has been a spiritual and theological journey to become a shape shifter, to understanding how the Triune God shapes my inner character to reflect the character of Christ. I write as a fellow pilgrim, a fellow sojourner climbing this mountain of Christian experience. I have not attained full-blown shape shifter status, but I continue to press on. I want to shift into the shape of Jesus and help others do the same, because one of the purposes of God’s salvation is transformation—spiritual transformation now and physical transformation when Jesus returns."

Praise for Shape Shifters:

Spiritual formation and the doctrine of the Trinity--for most Christians they have little to do with each other. That's why Shape Shifters is such an important book. What Derek Vreeland has done here is to connect the dots, showing us how vitally and inextricably bound together they are. The Trinitarian vision of spiritual transformation he sets forth is biblical, balanced, and beautiful. It will resonate with Christians from various traditions and will surely benefit the whole Church. Read it and be informed, inspired, and transformed.

--Dr. Stephen Seamands
Professor of Christian Doctrine, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky

Derek Vreeland has done a great job in Shape Shifters by giving the church a sound biblical and theological view of spiritual transformation in the lives of Jesus followers. This book is not just lofty thinking. Derek joins good doctrine to practical living which makes this book a valuable resource to individual believers and local congregations. I was highly encouraged in my own reading to submit myself to the work of the Holy Spirit’s work to conform me to the image of Christ for the joy of God the Father. I cannot wait to use this book in my local church! Read this book with others in your church—it will bring great benefit and blessing.

--Rev. Rodney A. Bradford
Pastor, Arabi Baptist Church, Arabi, Georgia

With his book Shape Shifters, Derek Vreeland makes an excellent contribution to the important subject of spiritual transformation—a subject which has been largely ignored within in the Charismatic and Pentecostal community. Instead of parodying the self-help methods that characterize the pseudo-spiritual culture of contemporary America, Shape Shifters gives us a well-written exploration of spiritual transformation founded in solid, historic, Trinitarian theology. We live in a time when there is a tendency to dismiss theology as unimportant and irrelevant. The truth is everyone does theology. We either do it well or we do it poorly. Derek Vreeland is a pastor who does theology well and does it with relevance. If you have a hunger for genuine spiritual transformation that the shallow self-help gimmicks fail to satisfy, I enthusiastically recommend Derek Vreeland’s substantive and compelling book.

--Pastor Brian Zahnd
Senior Pastor, Word of Life Church, St. Joseph, Missouri

Most everyone has something he or she would like to change about their self. We know we need to change but most don’t know how. In this book, Derek Vreeland puts forth sound, concise truth from Scripture that will help any serious follower of Jesus to embrace the transformations God wants to bring to his or her life. I am delighted see this timeless message coming from the pen of a rising young leader in the 21st century church. For all who are committed to grow in the ways of the Lord, this is the book for you.

Pastor Darrell Chatraw
Church Planter, Bay Area Vineyard Church, Milton, Florida

What does the Trinity have to do with our own spiritual transformation? Read this book and find out. Derek has done a masterful job showing how the community, found in the Trinity, is an expression of God's desire for community with us. His insights will inspire you, and challenge you to think about the nature of transformation. I highly recommend that you read this book and discover how God is already at work in your life.

--Dr. Stephen Gray
Director of National Missions, General Association of General Baptists, Poplar Bluff, Missouri

A superb book! It enables us to understand and follow God's central purpose for every Christian, to be transformed into His image. Derek Vreeland provides a broad and simple understanding of the Spirit-led transformative process. He invites us to undertake this multi-path spiritual journey. This book has emerged from his life-long hunger for God and intelligent understanding of spiritual formation. His perspective is biblical, historical, and shaped by the writings of sages and scholars. This book will compel and equip every believer and Christian leader to experience meaningful and joyful Spirit-led spiritual transformation.

--Dr. Aby Vargis Kallimel
Missionary & Church Planting Trainer, Indian Evangelical Team, New Delhi, India

Derek Vreeland's vision for spiritual transformation is God-breathed, Christ-centered, and Spirit-filled. Using contemporary illustrations and personal insights he takes the reader on a journey through the Scriptures, the church tradition, and Christian experience that will lead you to a surprising destination. Who are you? Who is God? Know that the answers you will discover come from a man who has not only thought about the life of faith, but seeks to understand it while being changed by it.

--Rev. Allan L. Purtill, Jr.
Minister of Word and Sacrament, First Presbyterian Church, Americus, Georgia

Shape Shifters is a very accessible book on the role of the Trinity in bringing about spiritual transformation in the life of the believer (and by extension, the local church). Derek Vreeland has done an admirable job of navigating heady theological concepts, and bringing them to a point of access available to a wide group. Starting with the need and desire for change, Vreeland leads us through the writings of Paul, the role of the Holy Spirit, a full understanding of the character of God and the example of Jesus in presenting a balanced understanding of spiritual transformation. Peppered with humor and personal illustrations, this is a very helpful book for any Christian who desires more in their walk with God.

-Pastor Santosh Ninan
Lead Pastor, Heritage Mountain Community Church, Port Moody, British Columbia