PRAYER PARTNERS--A KEY TO SPIRITUAL SUCCESS
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How do we grow? We grow best one-on-one versus in larger groups. This video looks at Proverbs 27:17 as an indicator of the best means of spiritual growth and discipleship.
In our recent church survey, we learned some things. Actually, the survey confirmed some hunches the elders and I have had for some time. About 25% of our average Sunday Morning attendees responded to the survey--a good representative sample. Interestingly, most of those who responded have been at Mill Pond for over a year and attend small groups, etc. So, they are involved, committed, and probably most are members of the church as well.
Yet, even though many of the respondents are core members, 88% read their Bible only 5 minutes or less a day, 83% pray less than 5 minutes a day, and 88% reach out to only 3 or fewer unchurched friends/family. What that means to your pastor-dude is, "I'm not getting it done!" In other words, attending a church we like with messages we learn from and music we say is inspiring, going to small group, having lots of friends in church, and/or believing that most of our friends would like the church and its people--all of this--isn't enough to generate spiritual growth.
That's exactly what we've been hearing from God over the last few months...
You see we know we've been missing something. Just having good meetings and classes and sermons and worship isn't producing spiritual growth and transformation. So what would produce it? I think part of the answer is individual attention. The pieces of the proverbial puzzle we need to consider all center around 1-on-1 discipleship. This could be mentoring, coaching, prayer partnering, accountability partnering, role modeling, etc. In our context, (and the context of most evangelical churches by the way), this rarely happens. But I believe we've got to change that or we'll ultimately suffer the same fate of 80+% of all American Churches which are now in decline.
In my humble opinion, our first step should be prayer partnering. That is, we each find someone we can connect with once a week to pray, encourage each other, and just share our burdens/experiences. This may involve something as simple as a 5 minute phone call mid-week to say, "Hi...how are you? How can I pray for you this week?" Is that hard? Nope! But it could be life-changing. Our prayer time would increase at the very least. And perhaps God would rend heaven and pour out his Spirit in a way that brings revival and renewal--not just to us--but to our communities as well.!
And what if, after a season, this relationship blossomed into an accountability covenant where each of you would lovingly challenge the other to pray, study God's Word, etc. more often? What if, this partnership turned into an opportunity for the two of you to learn how to mentor and be mentored so that you can also coach and assist new believers who cross your paths? What if it led to an "iron sharpens iron" experience (Prov. 27:17) where you studied scripture together at a deeper level than in most small groups or worship services? And what if, you both got so good at this that you felt comfortable "paying it forward?" In other words, what if you began to intentionally pass on what you've learned to one or two others who did the same as did those they shared with...etc....? You see where this goes?
The possibilities and potential results are endless and amazing.
So what about it? Are you willing to take the risk of asking someone to partner with you for growth? Could you take the step of calling someone once a week starting this week? If you do, please let us know so we can make note of the various partnerships being generated. This way, we can provide support material and encouragement to you and your prayer partner over time. I truly believe that the Paul-Timothy, Paul-Titus, Barnabas-Mark-like relationships we create will bless our church and cause tremendous growth!
For God's Glory,
Pastor Joel
