This summer the CtK Health Team facilitated several focus groups to find out more about our lowest rated quality according to the NCD survey that was completed last spring. In those meetings, people time and time again shared stories of how wonderful the CtK congregation is and how welcome they feel. CtK members are quick to offer support and lend a hand when needed. We offer much to each other and our communities near and far. No question we are strong in many ways. But as it relates to the issue of passionate spirituality and our ability to share and encourage our faith in each other, the NCD survey suggests we would do well to improve.
But before you can improve a process, you need to know why it is the way it is. What is the root cause of this issue? In the focus groups this summer we set off to find out why Passionate Spirituality ranked lowest for CtK. As many recall, passionate spirituality asks “Are the Christians in this church ‘on fire’? Do they live committed lives and practice their faith with joy and enthusiasm” (rather than as merely ‘performing one’s duty’)? The survey told us we weren’t as strong here as we could be. So we asked the focus groups – why is that? This question was met many times with the following response “We’re Lutherans. We aren’t as charismatic about our faith as others might be.” We understood that to mean that while we Lutherans are just as spiritual and faithful as other Christian denominations – we have a history of being more introverted and less expressive about our faith. Fair enough. Still, the Health Team wouldn’t let it rest there. We continued to search and asked again – why is that? And more importantly – why is that for us at CtK?
We agree there is a history that may dictate our current state (“That’s just the way it’s been done”) but for CtK to learn and grow – we owe it to ourselves to really understand why. The following are three root causes that we (the NCD Health team) has gleaned from all of the input and ideas presented thus far.
Root Causes of Passionate Spirituality
- Confidence in our ability to “speak the language” of spirituality: One recurring theme that came up in the discussions was people feeling unsure of how to express themselves and their spirituality. Whether it be leading people in prayer, sharing our thoughts and experiences about Christ, or inviting others to do so, at times we may just be at a loss for words. Perhaps one of the reasons we are not expressing our passion for The Spirit is because we don’t know how to do so.
- Fear of judgment: Another theme that came up we feel points to a fear that when we do find the words to express our faith, we may not be accepted. Perhaps this comes from being a part of a society where faith is considered a very private and separate thing. Perhaps it’s hard to let loose even within a loving and accepting congregation like CtK. Or perhaps we feel our perspective is different than what others may understand or accept. This may go back to the claim “We are Lutherans and that’s just not what we do”. So if we do – what will people think of us?
- Awareness of God in our lives: Even as people of faith, we are often blind to the presence of God in our lives. Many of us live fast paced lives where time is scarce and our responsibilities compete for most of our attention. In our busyness we become distracted from God and may miss those holy moments where God is present and at work in our lives or in those around us. We often fail to seek out, or create time and opportunities for a fuller awareness of God and a deepened passion for our Spiritual well being
The CtK Health Team invites you to share your ideas and feedback:
- What are your thoughts on these root causes? Do they resonate with your experiences at CtK? As a Lutheran? As a Christian? Are there other causes we should consider?
- What are some examples of Passionate Spirituality that you’ve seen lately?
