Beyond Worship Gatherings

I came across this quote from Dallas Willard today.

We must flatly say that one of the greatest contemporary barriers to meaningful spiritual formation in Christlikeness is the overconfidence in the spiritual efficacy of 'regular church services,' of whatever kind they may be. Though they are vital, they are not enough. It is that simple.

As we are planning a new worship gathering aimed specifically at unchurched and dechurched people in Rock Hill, it will be very important to constantly remind ourselves that a worship gathering has a purpose - for those who are believers to express our awe for God and to lift up the name of Jesus to those who are not Christ-followers. Ultimately, spiritual growth may begin in a worship gathering but it will never be completed there. For each of us, our spiritual maturity only begins when we start diving into Scripture on our own, developing a personal prayer life, and serving others - in other words, when we are consistently developing spiritual disciplines in our own lives.

Why is this important? Two things - one, if we are going to be a part of the Launch Team for the new worship gathering, we MUST, MUST, MUST be growing spiritually on a personal level. Two, a new worship gathering is the beginning not the end. To be successful, we will need to help people develop spiritual disciplines through small groups, missions events, one-on-one discipleship, etc. In other words, to successfully launch a new worship gathering we have to look beyond the worship gathering before it ever begins.

Have a great week!

-- Peace, Jamie