Notes on Natural Church Development Survey
Passionate Spirituality….what does that mean? Do you know? I am learning. At least, I am learning what the Natural Church Development people say it is. And the reason that is important is because several months ago the leadership of our Church completed a survey designed to help us identify our strengths and weaknesses. Our MINIMUM FACTOR was passionate spirituality. This is not my judgment, mind you, although I was one of a number of people who completed the survey. This is the finding from the entire group. What does this mean? It means, that of the eight areas the survey measures, this is our weakest area. According to this method of Church development, a church should focus its attention on its weakest area.
After several days of thinking about this process the best way I can describe what these results are telling us is this….we have many good characteristics in our Church, but we are not really that concerned with spiritual things. And, if I can editorialize, we are really more concerned with Church traditions, social activities, and non spiritual things. This is disturbing for one simple reason….it is completely out of line with our purpose statement….
“to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to develop disciples that produce fruits of the Spirit, and to relieve suffering.”
For me, the question is really this, “how do I address this?” As I have thought about these things one thing is very clear: I can only present opportunities to be addressed. The addressing must come from the individuals and groups that make up this Church. To be more spiritual does not mean we have to come to Church more. Nor do we have to do more programs or study. This is really a very simple thing. Each of us must ask, “do I desire to live a more spiritual life,” not just in my Church life, but also in my daily living. The old Methodist way of saying this is “do I want to be more holy?” An even older way of stating the concept is “do I want to walk in the Christian way in my daily living?”
What do you think? Brother Lawrence suggested we do this by practicing the presence of God in our daily living. He did this in such a way that even when he was peeling potatoes he felt the presence of God with him. I pray that each of us seek the presence of God wherever we go, whatever we do. This is true holiness. It does not make you a snob, or a self-righteous person. It simply allows us to live in the awareness that we are God’s every minute of every day.
There will be more said about passionate spirituality in the months ahead, and there will be occasions to help us live more spiritually aware. But for now, please know, Christianity is not really about the Church building, the preacher, the choir, the budget, or the size of the Church. Christianity is about persons living Christian lives; lives made different because they walk in the way of Jesus. Plant this thought in your mind….
everything I do, every where I go, every decision I make, involves my Christian life and my Christian witness.
And, so you do not misunderstand…this survey does not say we are not doing this now. It simply suggests that we think this is our weakest area.
Jerry M. James
