How to see members report growth in faith - with Tom Harricks and Roger Cunningham
It sounds so simple. And yet it’s clear from the statistics (National Church Life) that people in some congregations are reporting much growth in faith, while people in others are reporting not much at all.
And isn’t it what we all want: For the sheep that God has given us the task of being under shepherds for - to report that they have grown significantly in faith this year?
Tom Harricks and Roger Cunningham are two of the ministers featured in a new report for the Anglican Church in Sydney who have achieved better than average results.
We could have talked to the report authors. But we’ve chosen to interview the report subjects and find out what the key ingredients are… so we can learn from them and steal from their recipes.
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The giving pathway
The serving pathway
Examples of potential growing in faith goals
Memorise specific amount/section of Scripture
Read the Bible at least 2/4/5 times a week
Understand the bible better
Spend time meditating on reading, not just ticking the box
Grow in love for personal bible reading
Grow in love of God through regular bible reading
Grow in wisdom in applying the bible to daily life
Establish a firm prayer habit
Pray more regularly
Learn more about prayer, what it is, why we do it
Read book(s) on prayer to gain better understanding and practice
Grow in confidence to pray out loud in groups
Rely on God throughout the day
Grow in trust in God
Become more optimistic about the work of the Holy Spirit
Read more Christian books
Use rest time better
Give thanks for God’s blessings/consciously express gratefulness (to spouse/on Facebook)
Grow in contentment with self and situation
Grow in humility
Grow in generosity
Increase commitment to Growth Group, going intending to learn and be encouraged
Be more conscious of loving Growth Group members
Grow in grace towards other Christians/ Grow in acceptance of others
Be well prepared for specific ministry task
Discipline children’s heart rather than just actions
Allow children to take more responsibility for their faith
Make family Bible reading more meaningful
Model godly behaviour to my children
Live out the gospel in the home
Deepen relationships with Christians and non-Christians by bringing God into conversations
Pray for non-Christians
Be more ‘Christian’ at work
Grow in love for the lost around me
Be more intentional about meetings with non-Christian friends (prepare beforehand)
