Years ago I worshipped at a parish that attached the following sentence to the end of the annual statement of financial giving sent to everyone who pledged: “No goods or services were received for this donation except intangible spiritual benefits.”
So often in the Church, we are dealing with “intangible spiritual benefits.” We talk all the time about spiritual growth—but what does this actually look like in the life of an individual or a congregation, and can it be measured? We are told in the Scriptures that, though the workings of the Holy Spirit are invisible, we can see the “fruits of the Spirit,” the love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, and other qualities that become visible in the words and behaviors of persons who are mature or maturing disciples of Jesus.
Fifteen years ago, RenewalWorks was founded as an offering of Forward Movement. RenewalWorks exists to help congregations create cultures of discipleship focused on spiritual growth. It is one of few consulting offerings for congregations that exists primarily to measure a congregation’s spiritual vitality and then, in combination with church leadership, to design a spiritual strategic plan for deepening their commitment to growing in love of God and neighbor.
I interviewed Loren Dixon, Director of RenewalWorks and now a member of the Cedar team at Forward Movement, on how we think about spiritual growth, measure it, and talk about it in our congregations.
~Regina L. Walton, Editor and Content Developer
RLW: Loren, please describe to us how you talk about spiritual growth with congregations.
LD: We define spiritual growth as a growing in love of God and neighbor. Often, we begin RenewalWorks conversations by asking participants to think about spiritual growth in the context of their own faith journeys. Over your life, where are the moments or experiences that drew you closer to God? What has pulled you away? No individual story is the same–reflecting unique life experiences, beginnings, endings, moments of grace given or received, learning, and/or periods of questioning and study. Few people are in the same place where they started or where they were five years ago. Each journey also reflects a relational interdependence with others and God, and our community. Zooming out, we can apply those same conclusions to church communities. Spiritual growth calls us to be moving deeper and to be in relationship. The opportunity is for churches to create dynamic cultures focused on deepening relationships to God, each other, ourselves, and the world around us. That is the mission of RenewalWorks – to assist in that work.
RLW: What are the most important things that clergy and lay leaders can do to nurture spiritual growth in their congregation?
LD: RenewalWorks talks about “The Heart of the Leader” as a critical element for spiritually vital congregations. By “Leader” we don’t just mean the rector (if there is one), but all clergy, wardens, lay ministry leadership, vestry members, and staff. How is this leadership group modeling, committing and championing spiritual growth in their own lives and through their leadership within the church? How does leadership keep their focus on growing hearts rather than other evaluation metrics like fundraising or attendance numbers?
RenewalWorks spends considerable time exploring the role of the Leader’s Heart, including offering practical ways to lead for spiritual growth. RenewalWorks founder Jay Sidebotham’s book, “Signs of Life” goes into much more detail on this. The new second edition is now available on Forward Movement’s website.
RLW: Tell us a bit about the data side of the RenewalWorks process, and why it’s useful.
LD: Anchored in 15 years of research with 400 congregations, RenewalWorks has become a leader in understanding Episcopal churches in the United States, and we hold a unique perspective on key characteristics of vital congregations and what makes them grow. Our methodology provides summary data from your parishioners around what Episcopal beliefs congregants’ most value, how they currently utilize spiritual practices, and how they put their faith in action in the church and community.
The process begins with an on-line survey – we call it the Spiritual Life Inventory. Next a small group of appointed lay and clergy leaders participate in four guided workshops exploring their own spiritual journeys while discerning the results from the compiled inventory data. RenewalWorks also shares best practices for spiritual vitality and growth discovered from Episcopal and non-Episcopal churches. Ultimately, each church creates a final report tailored to their unique goals and desires of the church community.
RLW: Finally, Loren, tell us your favorite part of working with so many different Episcopal congregations over the last ten years!
LD: It is deeply meaningful to be invited to work with church groups and I am often affected, motivated and challenged by the conversations we have together. Most recently a parishioner asked how in prayer we discern the difference between the voice of God and our own. That question has really stayed with me. While RenewalWorks helps churches create cultures focused on spiritual growth, it is often a meaningful personal experience for the workshop team participants, too.
Visit the RenewalWorks website to learn more.
[Photo by septian akbar on Unsplash]