We are in the middle of the Advent Season filled with preparations and events for Christmas. Yet before we know it the new year will begin. A fresh new canvas on which to paint will present itself to us. As that opportunity comes what is your plan to help your congregation grow in spirituality?
Over the past several years I have spent a great amount of time reflecting on the journey we are on to grow spiritually and what we can do to move along that pathway. I believe Galatians 5 gives us the 9 marks for what we are to be aiming toward and that there are 7 venues in which we need to consider how we are “growing” in those fruit (Submitting to God, Prayer, Making an impact, Relationships, Authenticity, Learning and Worship). I have put together a self-guided tool which individuals or groups can use to help them identify where they are on the journey, where they need to put some effort, as well as some possible acts that can be taken to grow. It is free and can be found at: http://www.wallaceresources.us/spiritual-maturity.html A partial section of this tool for prayer is:
2. What is your greatest strength with prayer?
3. What is your greatest struggle or need in regards to prayer?
4. What is the ‘content’ of your prayers: (place the % by each)
____ Praising God
____ Thanking God
____ Asking for something
____ Sharing wrongs done and seeking guidance/forgiveness
____ Conversing about life (sharing feelings and general thoughts)
____ Acknowledging God’s presence
____ Listening
____ Other: ______________________________________
5. How do you pray? (check all that apply)
____ In your own words
____ In song
____ Through doing Art (painting, sculpture, etc.)
____ In the words of another (devotional books, etc.)
____ In the words of Scripture (Psalms, Lord’s Prayer, etc.)
____ In tongues
____ In images
____ Other _______________________________________
Also I have several workshops aimed at helping people learn how to grow spiritually and that will help them connect with God. A couple are:
*16 Marks of Spiritual Maturity
*God Languages/Spiritual Temperaments
Please let me know if you are interested in talking about any of these for your congregation.
December 6, 2010