the old path forward

The following is an article by Diana Butler-Bass on cultivating ancient spiritual disciplines versus offering church programs.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2007/10/willow-creek-repents-by-diana.html

I'll summarize it.

Butler-Bass concluded a few years ago in a book "The Practicing Congregation" -
"Congregations that intentionally engage Christian practices are congregations that experience new vitality."

She continues, quoting Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, one of the largest churches in the U.S., and pioneer of the "seeker" model of church, a good, godly man and great leader:

After an extensive study of their congregation (and several similar churches), Willow Creek's leaders concluded participation in programs did not inculcate Christian discipleship and that they had spent "millions of dollars" on programs thinking that they would help people grow—only to find that there was no real increase in parishioners' love for God or their neighbor.

"We made a mistake," says Hybels: "What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become 'self-feeders.' We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between service, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own."

Notice what Hybels says is missing: intentionality, practice, and vitality. Or, as the Leadership blog put it, "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. These basic disciplines do not require multi-million dollar facilities and hundreds of staff to manage."

This is our desire at Church of the Apostles. May God help us walk the old path as we move forward.