Sunday, January 15, 2006
C.A. and Schalk, C (1997)Natural Church Development Implementation Manual
Most churches have, over time, unconsciously developed a multitude of mechanisms that block spiritual passion. Here is a list of the most frequent Passion killers that we have identified in those churches with which we have worked. Each passion killer has a positive and understandable origin. What we are concerned about is not this 'true kernel', but rather the negative -11fects on our churches:
1. Puritanism: A reaction against the 'I'll-do-it-if-i-like-it Christianity' with the emphases: 'no images, no art, no cultural activities, no music, fast rather than feast'. Christians influenced by Puritan values view growth in faith as a process of becoming more and more apart from 'worldly things'.
2. Animosity against programmes: Many Christians 'support the idea of discovering spiritual gifts and giving more prominence to prayer in the church; but many also believe that this has to be a spontaneous process and should never be planned.
3. Righteousness by works: Legalistic tendencies in various forms have always built on the premise that we have to earn our salvation.
4. Fatalism: The belief in fate is typical of many non-Christian religions but has also intruded into Christianity It centres on the idea that everything we experience is God-sent, therefore, in order to stay in harmony with God, we need to submit to our fate, whether good or bad.
5. Feelings of inferiority.. Some groups implicitly - or expressly communicate the attitude: 'Whatever you do is an expression of sin'. This attitude makes it nearly impossible to enjoy the Christian faith.
6. Whimsical pleasure: Many mistake a 'whimsical pleasure' principle with spiritual passion. Thus, leaders do not dare to ask for binding commitments because they fear that this could be demanding too much. What they overlook is this: it is in dedicated and committed service to others that we find one of the most powerful sources of happiness in life.
7. Magical expectations: A widespread attitude hidden behind some of the seemingly pious faith practices is expressed in the words: 'if you do this or that just right, you will certainly get this result'.
8. Ecstasy dependency.. There is a danger in a kind of 'conference Christianity' that feeds off one extraordinary experience which can then only be surpassed by the next one. Those who focus on these kinds of events may become blind to the everyday and down-to-earth principles which are the soil that feeds spiritual passion in the life of the church.
Consider the 'passion killers' mentioned above and ask yourself. How strong is each one of these factors in our church? Indicate your evaluation on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = very weak; 10 = very strong). As a second step ask yourself. What could we do to overcome those passion killers that have the strongest representation?
1 Puritanism 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
2. Anti-programme 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
3. Righteousness by works 1 -2-3-.4-5-6-7-8-9- 10
4. Fatalism 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
5. Inferior feelings 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
6. Whimsical pleasure 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
7. Magical expectations 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
8. Ecstasy dependency 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
pp89
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1. Puritanism: A reaction against the 'I'll-do-it-if-i-like-it Christianity' with the emphases: 'no images, no art, no cultural activities, no music, fast rather than feast'. Christians influenced by Puritan values view growth in faith as a process of becoming more and more apart from 'worldly things'.
2. Animosity against programmes: Many Christians 'support the idea of discovering spiritual gifts and giving more prominence to prayer in the church; but many also believe that this has to be a spontaneous process and should never be planned.
3. Righteousness by works: Legalistic tendencies in various forms have always built on the premise that we have to earn our salvation.
4. Fatalism: The belief in fate is typical of many non-Christian religions but has also intruded into Christianity It centres on the idea that everything we experience is God-sent, therefore, in order to stay in harmony with God, we need to submit to our fate, whether good or bad.
5. Feelings of inferiority.. Some groups implicitly - or expressly communicate the attitude: 'Whatever you do is an expression of sin'. This attitude makes it nearly impossible to enjoy the Christian faith.
6. Whimsical pleasure: Many mistake a 'whimsical pleasure' principle with spiritual passion. Thus, leaders do not dare to ask for binding commitments because they fear that this could be demanding too much. What they overlook is this: it is in dedicated and committed service to others that we find one of the most powerful sources of happiness in life.
7. Magical expectations: A widespread attitude hidden behind some of the seemingly pious faith practices is expressed in the words: 'if you do this or that just right, you will certainly get this result'.
8. Ecstasy dependency.. There is a danger in a kind of 'conference Christianity' that feeds off one extraordinary experience which can then only be surpassed by the next one. Those who focus on these kinds of events may become blind to the everyday and down-to-earth principles which are the soil that feeds spiritual passion in the life of the church.
Consider the 'passion killers' mentioned above and ask yourself. How strong is each one of these factors in our church? Indicate your evaluation on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = very weak; 10 = very strong). As a second step ask yourself. What could we do to overcome those passion killers that have the strongest representation?
1 Puritanism 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
2. Anti-programme 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
3. Righteousness by works 1 -2-3-.4-5-6-7-8-9- 10
4. Fatalism 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
5. Inferior feelings 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
6. Whimsical pleasure 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
7. Magical expectations 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
8. Ecstasy dependency 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
pp89
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