Faith, not Fad.

I recently read a study done by Willow Creek Church in which they defined spiritual growth as increasing in love for God and for others. And I love that definition mostly because it did not confuse spiritual growth with church involvement. Although one does not have to exist without the other. In fact, I would argue that church involvement fosters spiritual growth. But I would also argue- not always.

Later on in that study, it stated that "God "wired" us FIRST and foremost to be in a growing relationship with Him- not the church." And that's the distinguishing factor for me. If my relationship with Jesus is growing along with my church involvement, my church involvement will probably support my spiritual growth. However, if only how many services I serve at and how many events I go to is growing and I'm not growing my relationship with Jesus, my faith is a fad. A fad is defined is "an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived; a craze." And faith that is a fad makes me really sad.

This is so close to my heart because when faith is just a fad, people are missing out on the freedom and abundant life that comes from knowing Jesus. And I know that a church is a better place for people to be and has the greater chance for those whose faith is a fad to grow into real faith, but not if we are unwillingly to challenge it. The danger of tolerating fake faith is that it creates a superficial atmosphere and Jesus is not shown in the superficial.

Faith that is a fad is contagious, but so is genuine faith. It is my assertion that fad-like faith is not bad, but it's a sign that an individual is seeking and desiring more in their life, but for that person,  faith is unfamiliar territory so they attach themselves to things that are safer, like church involvement. Which is awesome, but unless that person is met with someone committed to real spiritual growth, faith that is only a fad will become the norm, the accepted, the "that must be what this is", and that person will be left missing out and because fads are short-lived, they will leave and move on when the next fad comes.

So my challenge is to those who are committed in their faith to be committed to being genuine. How often does our own faith look like a fad? How many times do we say "you should help out with this event" or "volunteer here" without actually caring for the heart of the person?  What if we stopped leading tasks and projects and started leading people? What if instead of encouraging relationship with the church, we prayed people would be in relationship with Jesus and then be lead, rather than persuaded, to be involved with the church? What if our hearts started to break for fad-like faith and we began to realize our own contribution to the problem? What if we stopped confusing church involvement with spiritual growth?

I'm not sure about you but when I imagine what that would like that and how communities would be transformed, it takes my breath away and I am undone by the reality that God promises that He will do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. And I'm left speechless in awe of the Creator of the Universe.

Holy moly. Who is like our God? For Whom nothing is impossible.

I think maybe I feel so strongly about this because I recognize how much authenticity in people and the sharing of their genuine faith has touched my life. Read more here.