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.

To see the images referred to in this broadcast go to: https://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/growthinfaith

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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)