'Growing in Christ'
A study, Reveal, of how Christians grow as followers of Christ collected information of over 1,000 churches - their members and staff. Reveal grouped members according to where they themselves thought they were in their own personal relationship with Christ. Reveal described those groups as New to Faith, Growing in Christ, Christ-Centered, and Stalled. The 25% of those surveyed said that they were stalled in their faith and their relationship with Christ was thin at best.
The results were interesting. People didn’t grow in their relationship with Christ primarily through church programs and activities. They revealed that spiritual growth doesn’t happen best by becoming dependent on elaborate church programs but through the age old spiritual practices of prayer, bible reading, and relationships. Bill Hybles, former Lead Pastor of the mega church Willow Creek in Chicago said this, “We made a mistake. We should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self-feeders.’ We should have taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.”
Are you new to Christ, growing in Christ, Christ-centered, or stalled. No matter where you are, the key to connecting deeply with God through Christ is through your personal study of scripture, of Christian reflection, and prayer. What you do when no one is watching is who you will be when everyone is watching. What you say and do in public is a reflection of your private time with Christ in study, reflection, and prayer. Wooden is right, “The true test of [someone’s] character is what he or she does when no one is watching.” Set a 15 minute appointment with Christ every day. Put it in your calendar and be revitalized in His presence.
Jonathan