Passionate Spirituality

Natural Church Development assesses a church in eight different quality characteristics. With this post, we will take a quick look at one of these characteristics – Passionate Spirituality.

Natural Church Development defines Passionate Spirituality as: Effective ministry flows out of a passionate spirituality. Spiritual intimacy leads to a strong conviction that God will act in powerful ways. A godly vision can only be accomplished through an optimistic faith that views obstacles as opportunities and turns defeats into victories.

For leaders whose churches have this as one of their lower points, NCD offers the following starting points as a means of improving this area…

• Leaders have an important role in facilitating greater renewal in the church.
• Learn something new from God, rather than seeing it as dull and routine.
• Trials and difficulties may be confirmation you are on the right track.
• Refrain from motivating people out of guilt.

Leaders of churches need to have a fresh relationship with their Heavenly Father. You need to take the responsibility for modeling spiritual growth and passion for their congregants. You need to desire a newness from God, something for today’s church. Increased passion for the things of God is not only something that needs to be modeled to your church, you need to challenge you congregants to strive for it.

As your church grows in this area, it can experience some attacks from the enemy. Let’s face it as your church is becoming more attuned to the desires and the Will of God, Satan will not be pleased. He will make efforts to throw your church off with difficulties and challenges. Being aware of this increases your church’s chance of fending off these attacks.

And last, you don’t want to guilt people into seeking a deeper awareness of God. Your church will be filled with all kinds of people as different places in their walk with God. Meet them where they are and help them get to the next step. Some may be willing to dive in deeper right now. Others may be a little more hesitant. That’s ok, work with people where they are. God will take care of the rest.

As a coach, I can come alongside of you and assist you in your church’s growth in this area.