Addendum Part 1 for: “Creating Environments for Spiritual Formation in Your Church” by Jimmy Adcox
Eight Spiritual Beliefs and Attitudes
- Salvation by Grace: “Nothing I do can earn my salvation.” (1,2)
- The Trinity: “The one true God is the God of the Bible – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” (1)
- Personal God: “God is actively involved in my life.” (1,2)
- Christ is First: “I desire Jesus to be first in my life.” (1,2,3)
- Authority of the Bible: “The Bible has decisive authority over what I say and do.” (1,2,3)
- Identity in Christ: “I exist to know, love, and serve God.” (2,3)
- Giving Away My Life: “I will risk everything that is important for Christ.” (3)
- Stewardship: “A Christian should not be driven by the pursuit of material things.” (3)
Six Organized Church Activities
- Serve the Church: “I serve the church in ministry.” (1,2)
- Sunday Services: “I attend Sunday services.” (1)
- Small Groups: “I meet with a small group through my church.” (1,2)
- Serve Those in Need through My Church: “I serve those in need through my church.” (2,3)
- Adult Education Classes Focused on Spiritual Topics: “I regularly participate in adult-education classes focused on spiritual topics.” (2)
- Additional Teaching/Worship Services: “I attend an additional teaching/worship service.” (3)
Six Personal Spiritual Practices
- Reflection on Scripture: “I reflect on the meaning of scripture in my life.” (1,2,3)
- Bible Reading: “I read the Bible.” (1,2,3)
- Prayer to Seek Guidance: “I pray to seek guidance for my life.” (1,2,3)
- Prayer to Confess Sins: “I pray to confess sin.” (1,3)
- Tithing: “I currently give 10% or beyond to the church.” (2,3)
- Solitude: “I set aside time for solitude and to listen to God.” (2,3)
Four Spiritual Activities with Others
- Spiritual Friendships: “I meet or talk to a close friend who helps me grow spiritually.” (1,2)
- Evangelism: “I had six or more meaningful spiritual conversations with non-Christians in the past year.” (2,3)
- Serving Those in Need on My Own: “I serve those in need on my own, not through the church.” (2,3)
- Spiritual Mentors: “I meet with or talk to a spiritual mentor or confidant.” (2,3)
*The numbers after each spiritual catalyst indicate the movements of growth in which each showed the most catalytic influence.
Addendum Part 2: What Most Catalyzes Movements of Spiritual Growth?
Movement 1 – All About Fundamentals
(From exploring Christ to growing in Christ, people wrestle with foundational Christian beliefs and begin to participate in organized church structures, such as serving and small groups that produce enduring spiritual friendships. They also take their first steps toward biblical literacy, reflection on scripture and prayer–practices that will sustain them on their journey across the spiritual continuum.)
Top Five Spiritual Catalysts for Movement 1:
- Salvation by Grace (Spiritual Beliefs/Attitudes): “I believe nothing I do or have done can earn my salvation.”
- The Trinity (Spiritual Belief/Attitudes): “I believe the God of the Bible is the one true God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
- Serve the Church (Church Activity): “I serve in church ministry.”
- Prayer to Seek Guidance (Spiritual Practice): “I pray to seek guidance in my life.”
- Reflection on Scripture (Spiritual Practice): “I reflect on the meaning in scripture in my life.”
Movement 2 – Practice, Practice, Practice
(From growing in Christ to Close to Christ Intimacy. Here we see evidence of increased immersion [practice] in the activities and relationships that advance to deeper levels of personal conviction and devotion to Christ. Growth here includes more personal responsibility for spiritual growth and deeper choices in adult education classes. It also includes deeper relationships with spiritual friendships and mentors and in outreach activities such as evangelism and serving those in need.)
Top Five Spiritual Catalysts for Movement 2:
- Personal God (Spiritual Beliefs/Attitudes): “I believe God is actively involved in my life.”
- Prayer to Seek Guidance (Spiritual Beliefs/Attitudes): “I pray to seek guidance in my life.”
- Reflection on Scripture (Spiritual Practice): “I reflect on the meaning of scripture in my life.”
- Solitude (Spiritual Practice): “I spend time alone with God.”
- Evangelism (Spiritual Activity with Others): “I had six or more meaningful conversations with non-Christians in the past year.”
Movement 3 – Times of Spiritual Generosity
(From close to Christ to Christ-centered, this is the time when people opens their hearts fully to God’s call on their lives and turn over everything that is important to Christ–finances, time, life. Rapid spiritual growth feeds and is fed by increasing spiritual activity. This commitment is stoked internally through an increasingly intimate relationship with Christ. People in this stage are less dependent on the church to help them grow, but do need the church to challenge them and give them opportunities to stretch their serving and evangelistic experiences.)
Top Five Spiritual Catalysts for Movement 3:
- Giving Away My Life (Spiritual Beliefs/Attitudes): “I give away my time to serve and help others in my community.”
- Christ is First (Spiritual Beliefs/Attitudes): “I desire Jesus to be first in my life.”
- Identity in Christ (Spiritual Beliefs/Attitudes): “I exist to know, love, and serve God.”
- Authority of the Bible (Spiritual Beliefs/Attitudes): “I believe the Bible has decisive authority over what I say and do.”
- Reflection on Scripture (Spiritual Practice): “I reflect on the meaning in scripture in my life.”