When speaking with church leaders about the need for more spiritual development/ scripture study opportunities for adults, I often get the answer "we just want to let things develop organically". On the surface, it sounds like a great idea. We will just encourage folks and possibly facilitate things when people decide they want to do more. There is a huge problem with this attitude: The organic state of things tends toward decay. Just as a field which is never tilled, planted, and actively nurtured will never produce food, a church in which leaders never discipline themselves to offer spiritual growth encounters and encourage personal discipline in those under their authority will never develop a strong community of growing, active members.
No person has ever grown spiritually without adhering to spiritual disciplines. In order to grow spiritually, a Christian must take personal responsibility for that growth. These are some of the most important spiritual disciplines: 1) Prayer- deliberate, regular, daily prayer time as an individual and with immediate family as well as regular attendance of mass or church service at least weekly. 2) Scripture Study- deliberately making time to read, proclaim, and meditate upon scripture; listening attentively when scripture is proclaimed in mass and applying the lessons of the homily or sermon to one's life. 3) Obedience- Considering one's actions and the potential consequences first, and choosing to do the right thing even when it is difficult. 4) Confession and Pennance- Confessing one's sins to God in the sacrament of Reconciliation, making amends, and doing pennance when one errs. 5) Reception of Communion- One of the most poignant and meaningful ways to accept Jesus and His grace in one's life is to receive Him in Communion. Regularly receiving His sacrifice on your behalf in the way Jesus commanded aids you in cooperating with His daily grace to you. 6) If you are not baptized or have not joined a local parish ( congregation), you must do so. Baptism is how every person is initiated into the Christian faith. it was commanded by Jesus Himself. 6) Fellowship and Celebration- We are all made for relationships. Having strong relationships within the Church body is an important aid to spiritual growth. Friends lift us up when we fall, assist us when we are in need, grieve with us when we grieve, encourage us in worthy goals, work alongside us, and celebrate victories with us. We all need Christian friends. Prayer and Bible Study groups can offer a way to foster these important friendships.
These disciplines do not just happen organically. They happen by deliberate effort. At first they are difficult and may feel forced or done of obligation. The good news is that the more they are done, the more habitual they become. As they become habits, they become something we enjoy and miss if we fail to do them. Developing any good habit is easier when we are meeting regularly with others who will hold us accountable for those habits. Within Bible Study groups and/ or prayer groups we can develop accountability as we share our lives with each other and encourage one another.
Will these groups form organically? I would say that is rare. People do not usually decide to form a group and commit to it by themselves. A catalyst is required as well as continued nurture. If people sense that their leaders are not committed to a thing, they will not remain committed either.
If you are a leader in a church, do not let the phrase "we'll see how things happen organically" fall from your lips. We all know that is a cop-out. It is a lazy person's way of saying " I do not want to take responsibility for this" in away they hope makes others think the opposite is true.
Positive change does not happen organically. It is earned by personal and corporate discipline and hard work. The results are worth the effort, though. If you want your parish to come alive, it is time to get your hands dirty, preparing the soil, planting seed, actively nurturing growth, and eventually reaping a harvest that is ten and twenty fold of your efforts!
