In the early 1990s, Burger King adopted an ad campaign that subtly and profoundly impacted me in my high school years. The slogan was simple, “Have it your way right away.” (Click here for an example) My late teen self and many others began to adopt this mentality and apply it to many areas of life. Maybe the best modern-day example of this mantra is the explosion of online shopping. In some locations, you can order almost anything and have it delivered to your door the same day.
Unfortunately, the church is not exempt from this manta, especially regarding spiritual growth. Many see little need for an intentional and methodical approach to growing spiritually, and as a result, they remain spiritual infants. This reality should concern church leaders as they lead the church through unfamiliar cultural waters.
My hope for this class is to better understand Wesley’s “method” of spiritual growth and to understand better how to lead people to experience sanctification. We have all heard the phrase “fire insurance” used to describe salvation. Jesus wants so much more from us than that. He wants us to live a life of growth, change, and fruit. Pastors do a massive disservice to individuals when they communicate that once you say the prayer of salvation, you are set to go and head straight back to the life you’ve lived all along. Jesus himself commands so much more in the Great Commission.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20
The command to teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded flies in the face of Burger King’s mantra. Spiritual growth is a lifelong pursuit.
I am hopeful that a discussion will be held surrounding the implementation of aspects of Wesley’s societies, classes, and bands in the modern church, with particular emphasis on the five questions required for band meetings. These questions are deep and penetrating. Creating safe environments where such questions can be asked and answered is one way to help Christians grow beyond infancy. The challenge lies in one’s desire to be vulnerable.
My commitment is to take the assigned material seriously and fully engage in class. I desire the material learned in class to inform my ministry and how people are discipled in my church.
The “My way right away” mantra is not a path to spiritual growth. Ultimately, I want to invite people into the long, challenging, and beautiful journey of becoming more like Jesus.