It strikes me that people's lives are so harried, including my own, that we often neglect the cultivation of good habits. I rarely exercise or take my vitamin. Why?
"They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers." Acts 2:41.
Megachurches around us have figured out how to attract people. And they do it well, put all their energy behind it. With relative success. But I wonder. Are people learning how to pray, how to listen, how to serve humbly? how does one experience family in a megachurch setting? Where does relationshipand community happen and when?
I believe that the 1st century church emerged in a culture that was generally religious in nature and that some of the religious were exclusive in their attitude toward non-adherents. Some greco-Romans were following secular philosophies. And many people were skeptical or even negative toward monotheistic religion.
The early church emerged when followers of Jesus, the crucified Rabbi, were inspired to share the story of His death and resurrection as a sign of God's reign over all of life that transcended the power of death.
In a single scene, people were inspired by the initial speech from Peter and the spiritual fervor of the small community. 3,000 were baptized. People were converted from whatever beliefs they espoused to belief in the God who raised Jesus from the dead.
Then, this fledgling community attended to four spiritual habits. Always together. This was not a private faith, but a community way of life. They listened to the story of Jesus and those who were called to interpret it for them, they prayed (Psalms, the prayer of Jesus, intecessory prayer). They shared (meeting each other's needs); and they broke bread (eating together, feeding others).
The results of their practicing these habits in community? Inspired lives, joyful worship, generous giving, and organic growth. (See Acts 2:44-47).
Cultivating these four habits is the church's main task. We are called to Study, pray, share, and eat in commuity. What might this look like today?
We gather weekly. We serve a meal. We read a New testament writing, like Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. We let it speak to us like Lectio Divina. Lectio is an ancient prayer practice where one dwells on the Word, letting it teach you. As you read, you simply pause at words or phrases or texts that strike you or engage you or challenge you and you identify them.
After lectio, we pray like this: We read a psalm in unison. We offer intecessory prayer. We pray the Lord's prayer in unison.
As we eat, we talk about what God has entrusted to us for His use in mission. We discern a better stewardship of our lives in community.
The important part of this for me is to cultivate a radically inclusive hospitality. Everyone eats. A lot of people pray. Many people seek spiritual guidance or a word of counsel from above. These practices are, like Benedictine spirituality, open and accessible. One might come and experience them without intimidation or fear. The idea is to let people become accustomed to a spirit-led way of life. I am reading "The Cloister Walk" by Kathleen Norris, which is a spiritual journal of her time among benedictines. A good read.
To make a spiritual oasis in which people can come in contact with the richest parts of Christian tradition without the baggage attached to church. I hope to invite people to become devoted to Jesus through the practice of these four habits.
