A student in one of my online classes asked a great question:<\/p>\n
How do I encourage members to reflect and think theologically?\u201d\u00a6. I\u2019m having a hard time coming up with an example of what that would even look like in a church setting. I know it\u2019s important, and I use the practice myself at times, but I can\u2019t figure out how to transfer it to a congregation or group setting. Could anyone offer me some insight?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Her question hints at a phenomenon I\u2019ve observed. Clergy do many things for their own spiritual growth. Some they learned at seminary and retained (amazingly, given how much students forget!) as spiritual formation practices. Other ways they learn at seminars, retreats, continuing education events, during the course of their ministry if they\u2019ve become lifelong learners.<\/p>\n
They take these things they have learned, apply it to their own lives to good benefit, then, fail to teach these very things to their church members! There seems to be a failure of \u201ctransference of learning\u201d\u009d at work, and perhaps some odd hidden assumption that laypersons grow in faith different than clergy! Church members grow in faith the same as clergy: through practices of discipleship. engaging faithfully in those practices that actually help faith grow, and being open to the Spirit to change them.<\/p>\n