“Willow’s point is that they wrongly thought participation in their programs would inevitably lead to spiritual growth. Their survey showed that wasn’t necessarily the case, so they’re rethinking that approach (seeker-sensitive worship and programs). When they say that people need to “look beyond the church” and that “much of the responsibility for their spiritual growth belongs to them,” they’re not saying the church plays no role in people’s growth; they’re saying we can’t expect to grow if we don’t take an active role ourselves.”
This quote is a comment about Willowcreek Church’s 2008 study entitled “Reveal”, which I read in 2008. That same year there was a speaker at a conference I attended who made comments about “discipleship” being somewhat nebulous and undefinable and the implication was that it was difficult to foster, as a result. I begged to differ with that speaker and we had a lively back and forth for a few days. A while later I heard another speaker stating unequivocalbly that “discipleship” is a necessity for us as Christians. As a Christian educator, Christian counselor, and ordained deacon, “discipleship” is my calling, my passion, and my vocation. As I shared with my pastor last week, I don’t evangelize crowds. I don’t write or speak for the 50’s, 100’s or the 1000’s. I work with the “one-sies and two-sies and three-sies” and take them deep into personal Christian spiritual formation- doing it with history, biblical principals, character development, moral and ethical education, and proven psychological practices.
As someone told me years ago, “God has no grandchildren.” Every single one of us has to enter into personal relationship, to “live into our privilege” as a child of God (I had heard another Christian use that phrase “Live into one’s privilege”. I love that!) We cannot osmose Christian faith through someone else’s experience or their faith or their reassurance that “you got this.” One has to know in her own heart the assurance of faith and be willing and equipped to help others to engage in the spiritual quest! Both the having and the conveying to others comes through discipleship…..which requires one’s participation as a “follower”, a “learner”, a “student”, a “doer” of the Word.