Here is a tough question – Does church, the way that we do it today, actually work? Put another way, does a person’s involvement in a local church naturally result in their spiritual growth and maturity so that they are increasingly devoted to God (Mark 12:28-34) and are making other disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)?
Many churches spend a lot of time, energy and resources as they try to encourage and challenge everyone in their Christian journey of growth and service. But are churches successful? Where/how are they successful? What is not working?
You can help by answering the very short survey below. Looking at the various activities that a church does, which ministry areas have spurred you on to be more devoted to God and to influence others to be more devoted to God? Notice what I am not asking – I am not asking which ministries are your favourite, which ones you enjoy, which ones the church is “good” at, etc. I am asking you to identify the specific ministries that have directly encouraged, challenged and/or equipped you to grow in Christian maturity (ie, your actions, attitudes, etc have been changed). So … with that as the context …
[poll id=”4″]
Now of course, asking a question like this is just one small part of the larger question. But it is a very important part, so thank you for participating!
Also, why don’t you take a minute and post some comments below about your experience with a local church. How has your spiritual journey has been affected by the church? What has been positive? What has been negative? Why?
Great comments! 🙂 And what is interesting is that the survey results seem to support the idea that service and community are the keys to spiritual growth. Christians are designed to serve – it is in our DNA (but sometimes we try to fight it).
What has been encouraging to me is to see that some of the younger generations are not attracted to “passive” church, but instead are drawn toward churches that actively and tangibly serve others. They start by being attracted to physical/social service, but some take the next step, respond to God’s greatest call, and devote themselves to spiritual growth and ministry as well.
The church needs to recognize and embrace this rising wave!
another thought… i think what is not working with local church gatherings is too many of us go to church with our hands empty wanting our needs to be met, rather than being the church with our hands full looking for ways to give, serve and love. it seems that often church has become about us rather than about Christ.
maybe we are asking the wrong question… should we ask ourselves (since we are the church) do we, in the way we live and do life together, “work”? are we successful followers of Jesus that are becoming increasingly devoted to God and are making disciples? why or why not? could it be that a “successful” church gathering can only be an outflow of working [healthy, growing, obedient] lives that spur one another on to love and good deeds? just thinking out loud.
I LOVE WORSHIP TIME…I AM CONSTANTLY
SURPRISED AS THE SCOPE OF SCRIPTURE…
(OH YEAH…I CAN APPLY THAT APPLICATION TO THIS SITUATION…THAT PROMISE CAN WORK HERE ….THIS COMMAND NOT ONLY APPLIES TO BUT ALSO TO ….).
HMMMM..THIS TRUTH ACTUALLY WORKS…WOW! AND SO ON)
ALSO LOVE THE DYNAMICS OF SMALL GROUPS FROM NERVOUS NEW BEGINNINGS TO BUILDING BRIDGES TOWARDS GROUP RELIANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS….
Good observation! Real life is never limited to a choice of only three options (except in the size of a cup of coffee!), but narrowing our choices forces us to compare the relative value of our experiences.
In the world of education, multi-sensory learning is often best; in Christian growth, multiple experiences are also often the most effective.
Although the top three most selected choices are what have helped me grow most in my walk with Jesus, the other selections should not be discounted. For example, the Alpha course was what really spurred me to learn more about God, Jesus and the Bible.
The Sunday morning service and involvement in a small group have have directly caused tangible spiritual growth in my life by bringing my thoughts and then actions under God’s control. The teaching is without a doubt the most influential. Fellowship and caring by a small group comes a close second.
Without God’s Word being preached regularly and being rightly divided and applying it to my life consistently I would have been crushed by my recent circumstances. God is truly carrying and strengthening me daily. To Him alone goes the glory.