This coming Sunday, January 25, 2009, we will be reflecting on the practice of Intentional Faith development, one of the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations as outlined by Bishop Robert Schnase. Because this practive is near and dear to my heart and my ministry of spiritual formation, I will be the one leading the discussion in preaching.
I liken intentional faith development to having a bag of daffodil bulbs dropped off by my door, a gift given like the gift of faith. If I want the bulbs, I pick the bag up and carry it to the backyard. Now I have another choice. I can leave the bulbs in the bag they came in on the patio table, or I can plant them in the flower border. then comes another choice. I can water the bulbs and add a little fertilizer, or I can let them fend for themselves. If my intention is to have beautiful fragrant flowers from the bulbs that are given to me, my choices reflect what I need to do to nurture and tend these bulbs to flower.
Likewise, If I hunger for a faith that fills me with hope and sustains and upholds me in a caring community through all the passages of my life, I have choices to make in how I will grow such a faith. And sadly, I know where the road paved with good intentions and little followup action goes.
Faith is the gift of the Spirit. Faith development is the choice I make when my intentions join together with my effort and purpose to grow a faith that is fragrant and pleasing to God and sustaining and satisfying to my own soul. Come Sunday and reflect on what intentional faith development means for your life and for this Church. Together we will plant what God has given us and see what will grow here. See you Sunday!
