Spiritual Formation Receives Boost from GROW Initiative

Members of Covenant Congregational Church dedicated themselves anew to a life of spiritual growth during a September 7 communion service after pastor Judy McCullough introduced the GROW acronym during her sermon.

McCullough discussed the GROW commitment cards the parishioners had received earlier. The following Sunday, McCullough reviewed the GROW concept with some new ideas and encouraged anyone who had not done so to fill out a commitment card and pray about how they can grow in some new way in their discipleship walk.

On September 21, the church added a new twist on an old idea to further emphasize GROW. It distributed green "I've Committed to GROW" buttons before worship for people to wear. McCullough urged the congregation to continue wearing the buttons during the week as a way to talk to their friends about Christ. Three years earlier, the church had distributed green dots to place on their watches to remind them to pray for the congregation.

"We talked about how this (distributing GROW buttons) not only is a reminder to each of us to grow in this family of God," said McCullough, "but if you wear it out there (in the community) the other six days, who knows what conversations it may lead to? It is a wonderful outreach tool."

McCullough has already heard about spiritual progress based on the conversations she's had with her congregation. She reminded the congregation of GROW again on October 5, World Communion Sunday. The church hasn't stopped with the adults either. "Our Youth minister has used the teenage commitment cards with the youth Sunday school class and our teachers have used them with our children in their classes as a part of their lessons when it was a fit," she added.

What has been the biggest benefit of using the GROW materials? McCullough said that GROW has stimulated many one-on-one conversations that people have initiated with her about their own spiritual growth. It has also allowed McCullough to be open with parishioners about commitments in her own journey while deepening relationships with longtime members of her congregation.

McCullough suggested the Christian Education board of her church set up a list of goals and objectives based on the Department of Christian Formation's three-year overview. She hopes they will encourage their study groups to use this tool because it has been a challenge to find appropriate material to teach.

"I now have the Christian Formation Planning Tool for Adults, which I especially appreciate because of all the 'good' resources for Biblical study," McCullough said. "I know many of these resources, but it adds clout if they come in this form. As we grow in size, we hope to add small groups (house church type study groups) to our already existing Bible studies. We have two women's groups, one men's group and the Sunday morning adult class."

A packet of Christian Formation materials was included in the GROW materials sent to Covenant congregations. They include:

• "Christian Formation in the Local Church," a guidebook for church discussion, discernment and direction
• Samples of each of the GROW commitment cards for children, youth, and adults
• A worship resources sheet for use during a church's Christian Formation Sunday
• A poster inviting people on the journey to growth
• Sample approaches for a Christian formation emphasis
• A booklet entitled "Christian Formation Tools," containing a list of all of Christian Formation resources available through the department.

The Department of Christian Formation sent GROW materials to Covenant congregations last May to help them enhance the spiritual and educational lives of those in their congregations.

More about Christian Formation and its GROW emphasis can be obtained by calling Covenant Resource Center at 800-338-4332. Many materials are in downloadable form and can be used without charge. Also look for Impact, the Department of Christian Formation's online quarterly newsletter, to learn more about other programs and issues pertaining to Christian formation in the Covenant.

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