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I am not sure if I have a favourite season, but if I needed to choose, it would be spring. These long winter months have given way to atmospheric pressure changes caused by our planet moving closer to the sun. The sun’s rays are warming the earth, the days are filled with glorious sunlight and the spring rains energize the waiting life buried in the cold soil. It always amazes me how just a few degrees of our earths trajectory can bring us all so much enjoyment.
Lois and I enjoy the little town we live in, made all the more beautiful this time of year by the almost magical growth of the plentiful orchards, grape vines and lush gardens. Soon the dreary days of winter are forgotten in the bursts of new spring growth.
Yet the growth of gardens and orchards isn’t magical at all. In fact, is it is expected and relied upon for the garden industry that makes up so much of the Niagara region. This phenomenal and beautiful growth is completely natural. A garden that has the right soil, the correct exposure to light, the right moisture and free from invading toxins and weeds will grow in what is understood as natural biological growth. In fact, if it didn’t grow in just this magical way everyone would be surprised as time and experience has always proven that the natural way of growth is the best way.
Christian Swartz, founder of the Natural Church Development church health analysis speaks of eight key factors for natural growth in a church. These factors include:
- Leadership that empowers others to growth
- Spiritual gifts used in service for others
- Passionate spiritually filled lives
- Effective decision making (Structures)
- Inspirational worship
- Small groups that build teams of disciples
- Community based proclamation and evangelism
- Loving relationships in the church and the community
Like a garden, given the right soil, light and water, it grows naturally, so a church body with the right combination of factors will grow naturally “all by itself”.
Spring is the result of the earth tilting just a bit closer to the sun and what wonderful results that brings.
So also in a church, as we get ever closer to the Son we too will experience the joy, the magic and the beauty of spring like growth.
As we pray this month let’s focus on growing deeper, higher and more grace filled.
Blessings,
Bill