If you are looking to grow in your faith, here are a few next steps for you.
STEP 1:
Identify where you are on the Spiritual Continuum
Which description best describes you?
- Exploring Christ: I believe in God, but I’m not sure about Christ. My faith isn’t a significant part of my life.
- Growing in Christ: I believe in Jesus and I am working on what it means to get to know him.
- Close to Christ: I feel really close to Christ and depend on him daily for guidance.
- Christ-centered: My relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship in my life. It guides me in everything I do.
STEP 2:
Explore church activities that help your spiritual growth.
1st Movement: Move from Exploring Christ to Growing in Christ
- Attend Sunday worship
- Join a small group
- Serve the church
2nd Movement: Move from Growing in Christ to Being Close to Christ
- Continue to attend Sunday worship; however, major growth will come as you:
- Serve those in need through the church
- Serve in the church
- Participate in adult faith formation classes focused on spiritual growth
- Meet with small groups
3rd Movement: Moving from Being Close to Christ to Being Christ-Centered
- Continue to nourish your spirit through Sunday worship, meeting with small groups, and serving the church; however, major growth will come as you:
- Serve those in need through the church
- Attend an “additional” teaching/worship service
Here are some ways you can further your spiritual growth.
GROW by worshiping weekly (Worship)
- Sunday morning services and special services with various styles for all ages (Chapel and Sanctuary Traditional Services, The Neighborhood, Children’s Church, Ash Wednesday, Christmas Eve, etc.)
- Music ministries (congregational hymns, choirs for adults, youth, and children, special music offerings)
- Learning spiritual practices (Lenten series, Advent series, Stewardship series, Prayer Vigils)
KNOW by studying regularly (Faith Formation)
- Weekly Bible study (Small group studies, Sheri Sutton’s Bible Studies, Through the Bible/New Testament in a Year)
- Sunday morning groups and classes for all ages (life-stage faith application and topical studies)
- Adult Forums and Pastor’s Class.
- Small group ministries (Disciple Women’s Ministries, Christian Men’s Fellowship, Youth fellowships, etc.)
GO by serving consistently (Service)
- Local mission work and support (Coats for Kids, MSU Food Pantry, Thanksgiving Baskets, Interfaith Outreach, Common Ground Recovery Ministries, Christian Church in the Southwest, etc.)
- Global mission work and support (Juliette Fowler Communities, Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries, Disciples Mission Fund, etc.)
- Weekly tithes, offerings and periodic special offerings
- Children Come First, Young Ages School, VBS
- Sharing the FCC Campus and Resources
- Care ministries (Prayer Ministry, Shepherding, Elders Homebound Ministry, etc.)
SHOW the peace of Christ everyday
What happens on Sundays ought to change us Monday through Saturday.
STEP 3
Take Action!
- Commit yourself to attending Sunday worship
- Commit yourself to joining a small group
- Commit yourself to serving the church in some capacity
Our Measures of Effectiveness
How am I
- Growing my faith through daily spiritual practice?
- Strengthening my faith through weekly church involvement?
- Modeling my faith through joyful service and generosity?
- Sharing my faith through intentional investment in others?
- Living my faith through the consistent pursuit of peace?
