The Church and Spiritual Disciplines 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
 Matthew 28:19-20

Twenty-six years ago Richard Foster wrote a book entitled Celebration of Discipline that has made a significant contribution to the church of Jesus Christ. The book examines some classic spiritual practices or exercises that enable spiritual growth. Some of these are Bible reading, prayer, study, meditation, worship, and service.

The church has done a much better job of corporately doing these disciplines than she has in teaching believers how to do them personally. George Barna has written:

 "Christianity would be incredibly influential in our culture if Christians consistently lived their faith...The problem is that millions don't live like Christians- and that's partially because they don't know how."

We can no longer assume that believers will automatically become mature and continue to spiritually grow just because they are in the church, no matter how faithful they may be. If Christians are to keep growing in their faith, it will be because the church teaches them how, encourages them in the process and keeps them accountable.

Spiritual disciplines are not ends in themselves even though they are wonderful practices for the Christian. Their purpose is to provide a means by which a believer can grow into a mature disicple who is intimate with the Lord Jesus. The church should and can intentionally offer this instruction to belivers and in so doing, will equip them for the ministry God has called them to.

HOW DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES CAN HELP: We offer a two-hour conference entitled THE CHURCH AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES that helps church leadership develop plans to intentionally encourage believers in the practice of spiritual disciplines.