Spiritual Disciplines … for a Church 3

One of my favorite experiences with a church went like this: I asked the pastor what happened, and by that I meant how in the world did the “small group” grow into a 300+ church so quickly.

His answer was simple: We began to ask people in our community one simple question: “How can we help?” He admitted they were doing things they never expected to do, but that one question — call it the single-most important missional question — can change a church if the church will listen, and will do.

How have you seen Dallas Willard’s idea (below) at work in your community? in your church? in your life?

What are the characteristics of a serving community?

James Bryan Smith’s newest book addresses corporate, or “church spiritual disciplines”: The Good and Beautiful Community: Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love (The Apprentice Series). His 3d characteristic is that a good and beautiful community is characterized by “service.”

What a good story he tells: one church worried about whether their ministries would increase membership and whether their facilities were good enough; the other about a church that wanted to help young adults and was advised to offer food and friendship — and the second church developed a thriving ministry. Not because they did it to grow but because they wanted to know how they could help.

There is a false narrative to avoid: that our needs are what matter; that our success is what matters most. The true narrative, of course, is the mirror:

that the needs of others matter more.

A spiritual discipline for a church is to be others-oriented instead of self-oriented. Sounds like Jesus, and is like Jesus, but it is not an easy discipline to develop.

James Bryan Smith is a fan of Willard and Foster, and this chp has a great idea from Willard: The most important thing a church leader can do is pray for the success of other churches in the community.