survey shows the transformative impact of bible reading & reflection on churches

8/3/2019 Survey Shows the Transformative Impact of Bible Reading & Reflection on Churches

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Survey Shows the Transformative Impact of Bible Reading &

Reflection on ChurchesA recent survey of churches by the Willow Creek Association shows the

transformative impact of Bible reading and reflection on churchesand

the impact of Scripture Unions Essential 100 (E100) Bible reading

program on their spiritual vitality.

Dissatisfied with the level and rate of spiritual growth among its

members, the Willow Creek Association of Churches implemented a

Spiritual Life Survey among 1,500 churches across the US. The survey identified

congregations along a scale from struggling to high energy with the goal of

discovering how best to activate greater spiritual growth in their congregants.

Most Powerful Catalyst Discovered

The common models of activating spiritual growth such as getting people involved in

church activities (attending worship, participating in small groups, serving the needy)

or sharpening their beliefs (salvation by grace, the authority of the Bible, person of

Christ) were helpful but not the most effective vehicles for producing evidence of

spiritual growth. The most powerful catalyst for moving people through stages of

spiritual growth, the survey revealed, was reading andreflection on scripture.

The study surveyed churches of varying sizes and denominations (including urban,

rural and suburban churches). For purposes of the survey, church members were

grouped into four categories:

Exploring Christ Believe in God, but not sure about Christ. Growing in Christ Believe in Jesus, but are learning what that means. Close to Christ Depend on Jesus daily. Christ Centered Relationship with Jesus is most important to them.

The churches surveyed had an average of 10% of their members in category #1, 40%

in category #2 and 25% in each of the last two categories.

The survey also indentified four basic groups of possible catalysts that would help

people grow spiritually and move to the next category:

BELIEFS & ATTITUDES -- Salvation by Grace, The Trinity, Personal God,

Authority of the Bible, Christ is First, Identity in Christ, Giving Away My Life,

and Stewardship

CHURCH ACTIVITIES -- Weekend Services, Small Groups, Serving the Church,

Serving Those in Need (with the church), Bible Classes, and Midweek Services


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SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES WITH OTHERS -- Spiritual Friendships, Evangelism,

Spiritual Mentors, and Serving Those in Need (on my own).

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES -- Reflection on Scripture, Bible Reading, Prayer forGuidance, Prayer to Confess Sins, Tithing, Journaling and Solitude

Contrary to what might have been expected, the survey showed that it was not

participation in church activities or sharpening personal beliefs that were the most

effective catalysts of spiritual growth, but reflection on scriptureby a wide margin.

Struggling Churches Revitalized

Six churches, also of varying sizes and locations that had been characterized as

struggling were selected for a special study, beginning in 2009. These churches

scored low on their scale of spiritual vitality. Over 70% of their members were in thefirst two categories Exploring Christ and Growing in Christ even though 2/3 of

the congregation had been attending these churches for over 10 years.

The goal of this special study was to determine if having their members spend more

time reflecting on Scripturewould increase the churchs vitality by strengthening

their members relationship with Christ. They surveyed the congregations first in 2009

and 18 months later.

The major results showed that:

Congregants across all stages of their spiritual journey in those six churchesMORE THAN DOUBLED their daily Bible reading.

All increased in their satisfaction with spiritual growth. There was an increase in their belief in a personal God. Members dissatisfaction with their church decreased. The likelihood for members to leave that church decreased.

The Common Tool for Growth

What was the one thing these six churches had in common?

They all used the same program during that 18 monthperiod to promote reading and reflection on scripture:

THE ESSENTIAL 100 (E100) BIBLE READING CHALLENGE.

This easy to use Bible reading plan covers 100 readings 50

Old Testament and 50 New Testament. Most passages are

just 1-2 chapters long, just the right amount for a busy

person to read in a few minutes. The Essential 100 Challenge

Guide(shown here) provides reflection questions and life


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application suggestions, also. Its a great way to develop a Bible reading hunger and

habit among a congregation-and, as the Willow Creek study showed, its a great way to

promote real spiritual growth in a church, too.

A Spiritual Shot in the Arm

If your church needs a spiritual shot in arm and a catalyst for spiritual growth, the

E100 Challenge may be what God will use for your people, too. For more information

on the E100 Challenge, visitwww.E100challenge.com. More information on Scripture

Unions guides for daily Bible reading and reflection is available on this website or by

calling 1-800-621-LAMP (5267).

This information was based on the REVEAL Spiritual Life Survey with over 250,000 people. For more

information go to the WILLOW CREEK ASSOCIATION web site atwww.willowcreek.com Or for more

information about the study MOVE: What 1,000 Churches Reveal about Spiritual Growth by Hawkins

and Parkinson, visit http://www.willowcreek.com/move/.

survey shows the transformative impact of bible reading & reflection on churches

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