2. The inspirational congregation
Deepening faith radiates
Many congregations complain that the church diary is full, that there are many things to be taken care of, but that they have hardly any time for discussions that matter. But a congregation that wants to be missionary, that wants to inspire, must start among its own members.
A generation has grown up that is unable to speak about faith in a personal way. Faith used to be about learning the right answers, not a personal meeting or a relationship. There does however exist a longing for discussions about meaning and faith.
At the same time there is powerlessness. When guests and newcomers start asking questions it is important that there is an opportunity for discussions to take place. This does not mean answers are cut and dried but it does mean that you have something to say.
If your congregation wants to be ‘missionary’ to the world around you, then that starts with you: Who are we? What do we have to offer? How do we put this into words?
There are many possibilities routes to deepening faith, but it is often by an indirect route. Indirect questions are more effective than direct questions, for example:
- How did you come into contact with faith and church? Who played a part in this? What did you find inspiring?
- What is your favourite hymn and why?
- What does this Bible story mean for you, can you tell me something about that?
You can use these questions and similar ones to open a discussion in your congregation to begin discussions about faith. Ensure sure you involve the different generations in the congregation - what can teenagers and middle-aged people learn from each other?
We had invited a group consisting of ten teenagers and ten people in their 40’s to meet together. After introductions were made in small ‘mixed’ age groups, we started a discussion about a number of faith issues. Each discussion included one teenager and one person in their 40’s as discussion partners. The underlying question is: is it possible that the God’s Spirit has something to say to me through this teenager or this middle-aged person? They were fascinating meetings. The middle-aged people were particularly moved by the openness and freshness of the teenagers. They are thinking really seriously about these questions!
Creating a familiar and safe context offers excellent opportunities to deepen your faith in open and frank meetings. This is not about studying but personal thought processes. How does this Bible story, experience, or issue affect my daily life?
Your faith does not come alive until it ‘lands’ in the practice of everyday life, only then will it radiate into the immediate environment.
A number of suggestions
- There is a wealth of discussion material for the small mixed age circles of people. You could hold such meetings on a series of evenings or in a group that meets every two weeks.
- A course that introduces the Christian faith can also be enriching for your own congregation members. You can stimulate discussions about personal faith in your congregation through the forming of small groups.
- A mixed age discussion group could be formed to meet for a period of time and work through a series of Bible studies or discussions from any number of available resources.
- During lent we often find material that is useful for small groups. In this context we want to mention the Micah course with a more diaconal slant
Possible approach for the church
- The church leadership could start the ball rolling by holding discussions about personal faith. This could be over a weekend or day spent together.
- Stimulate the faith discussion in your congregation by forming small groups.
- Make sure you have a plan that can be evaluated after one year.
- Ensure that the discussion leaders are well equipped.
- Do not just think of short-term courses but also of house groups that can keep going for a longer period.
- Stimulate discussions about the church service (discussion after the end of the service, themed services that offer the opportunity for conversations and/or question and answer rounds).
- Set an example as minister and church leaders: keep looking for opportunities to deepen your faith.
A congregation for which faith is a matter of heart and hands is inspirational!
