“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” Acts 6:1
Educators and lawmakers are concerned that U.S. students are falling behind the rest of the world in math and science. The education system is scrambling for solutions. How do we boost achievement for every student? How do we keep kids in school? How do we raise test scores for the lowest achievers so that every student can demonstrate some basic level of competence? In attempting to address these questions, schools are restructured, technology is pushed, and teachers spend countless hours in professional development. I don’t know if these measures have been successful at increasing achievement at the lower end of the scale. I do know that math and science achievement continues to lag well behind the rest of the world at the higher levels. In an effort to reach some basic level of competence for everyone, those who truly desire to work hard and excel are being neglected and the overall depth and quality of the program is declining.
The same thing is happening in many churches, including mine. In an effort to reach everyone with the Gospel (a well-intentioned effort, to be sure), those who are already committed and desiring to grow and mature are being neglected. We may or may not be achieving some basic level of spiritual competence (I would argue that even this is doubtful), but I suspect that in terms of depth and maturity we are lagging behind much of the rest of the world, and particularly behind those countries where Christianity cannot be practiced openly. When following Christ carries a high cost, those who choose to follow often develop into disciples who are deeply grounded in faith and knowledge, and firmly committed to their faith. Not that we’re competing, of course, but many churches that I have observed in this country are clearly opting for quantity over quality, to the detriment of our overall spiritual health.
I hear over and over from people who are longing for something more than the mass-appeal fluff that passes for spiritual food in our churches. When will our leaders notice that some of us are beginning to starve in spite of the abundance around us?
I spent two years with a group of believers who met in silent and contemplated the question. Where have you noticed God working this week? Where have you sensed his absence. It was two of the most powerful years of my life although we only met once a week we were bathed in his blue glow of glory. I miss those days and long for a deeper walk with my savior.