Spiritual Formation Assessment Overview
Hey church family! Thanks for watching/reading our first video/blog in this series.
Today, I want to take a few minutes to share a brief summary of the Spiritual Formation Assessment we recently completed, and why it matters for where we are headed as a church.
First, a quick word on what this is and what it is not. This assessment is not a report card. It is not meant to compare people to one another, and it is not meant to shame anyone. It is simply a snapshot that helps the elders understand patterns in the spiritual health of our church so we can shepherd with clarity, pray with specificity, and lead with wisdom. In November, 141 people participated, and we are grateful for every person who took the time to do that.
Second, we want to start with gratitude. There are real evidences of God’s grace among us.
One, there is strong doctrinal clarity. The responses show a church that knows what it believes about the essentials of the faith. That is something to thank God for, and it reflects the fruit of faithful teaching and a church family that values truth.
Two, there are encouraging indicators around spiritual habits and closeness to the Lord. A large portion of our church family is regularly in the Word and in prayer, and many report a strong sense of closeness to the Lord. That does not mean we are finished growing, but it is a reason to rejoice. God is at work.
Three, there are meaningful signs of community. Those of you who have been here for awhile know that our sense of church family is strong, and we keep hearing the same thing from people joining the church. That matters because spiritual growth does not happen in isolation. God uses the body to build up the body.
At the same time, the assessment also helped us see a couple clear opportunities for growth.
One major area is evangelism and gospel witness. Many of us are not regularly having gospel conversations, and many did not see anyone come to Christ through their direct influence over the past year. That is not said to discourage anyone. It is said to clarify the opportunity in front of us. If our mission includes “Go make Him known,” we want to grow in confidence, intentionality, and love for the lost, right where God has already placed us.
A second area is equipping and serving. Many people say they know their spiritual gifts, but a much smaller number feel their gifts are being meaningfully used. Also, serving in the community is an area where we can grow. This is important because the goal is not simply that Cornerstone is busy. The goal is that every member is equipped and mobilized, and that the church is strengthened as each part does its work.
So what are we doing with this?
This assessment is one of the reasons we are taking this season to clarify our mission, communicate our vision, and put forward our core values. In other words, we want to be clear about what we are here to do, where we believe the Lord is leading us, and the guardrails that shape how we pursue it together. We want to be a church that helps people Know Jesus, Grow into His likeness, and Go make Him known. We want to see every member equipped and sent. The SFA helps us see where we are strong, and where we need to strengthen the work.
Here is what I am asking from you.
First, please take time to read the full SFA summary. We are posting it in the description of the video and it's below at the end of the blog. Not to critique it, but to reflect and pray.
Second, pray with us. Pray that the Lord would deepen our devotion, strengthen our unity, and give us greater boldness and compassion in witness.
Third, take one simple step. If evangelism is hard for you, start by praying for one person by name and asking God for an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation. If serving and using your gifts is unclear, start by talking to an elder, a deacon, or a ministry leader. We want to help you get connected and equipped.
Finally, remember what we said in the intro video. This is the first step in a series of short weekly videos leading up to our annual meeting on February 22, where we will review these things together and answer questions. Then, after that meeting, we will begin a sermon series where we will open the Scriptures and work through these themes so that this is not just language on paper, but biblical conviction that shapes our life together.
Read the full SFA report HERE.
Today, I want to take a few minutes to share a brief summary of the Spiritual Formation Assessment we recently completed, and why it matters for where we are headed as a church.
First, a quick word on what this is and what it is not. This assessment is not a report card. It is not meant to compare people to one another, and it is not meant to shame anyone. It is simply a snapshot that helps the elders understand patterns in the spiritual health of our church so we can shepherd with clarity, pray with specificity, and lead with wisdom. In November, 141 people participated, and we are grateful for every person who took the time to do that.
Second, we want to start with gratitude. There are real evidences of God’s grace among us.
One, there is strong doctrinal clarity. The responses show a church that knows what it believes about the essentials of the faith. That is something to thank God for, and it reflects the fruit of faithful teaching and a church family that values truth.
Two, there are encouraging indicators around spiritual habits and closeness to the Lord. A large portion of our church family is regularly in the Word and in prayer, and many report a strong sense of closeness to the Lord. That does not mean we are finished growing, but it is a reason to rejoice. God is at work.
Three, there are meaningful signs of community. Those of you who have been here for awhile know that our sense of church family is strong, and we keep hearing the same thing from people joining the church. That matters because spiritual growth does not happen in isolation. God uses the body to build up the body.
At the same time, the assessment also helped us see a couple clear opportunities for growth.
One major area is evangelism and gospel witness. Many of us are not regularly having gospel conversations, and many did not see anyone come to Christ through their direct influence over the past year. That is not said to discourage anyone. It is said to clarify the opportunity in front of us. If our mission includes “Go make Him known,” we want to grow in confidence, intentionality, and love for the lost, right where God has already placed us.
A second area is equipping and serving. Many people say they know their spiritual gifts, but a much smaller number feel their gifts are being meaningfully used. Also, serving in the community is an area where we can grow. This is important because the goal is not simply that Cornerstone is busy. The goal is that every member is equipped and mobilized, and that the church is strengthened as each part does its work.
So what are we doing with this?
This assessment is one of the reasons we are taking this season to clarify our mission, communicate our vision, and put forward our core values. In other words, we want to be clear about what we are here to do, where we believe the Lord is leading us, and the guardrails that shape how we pursue it together. We want to be a church that helps people Know Jesus, Grow into His likeness, and Go make Him known. We want to see every member equipped and sent. The SFA helps us see where we are strong, and where we need to strengthen the work.
Here is what I am asking from you.
First, please take time to read the full SFA summary. We are posting it in the description of the video and it's below at the end of the blog. Not to critique it, but to reflect and pray.
Second, pray with us. Pray that the Lord would deepen our devotion, strengthen our unity, and give us greater boldness and compassion in witness.
Third, take one simple step. If evangelism is hard for you, start by praying for one person by name and asking God for an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation. If serving and using your gifts is unclear, start by talking to an elder, a deacon, or a ministry leader. We want to help you get connected and equipped.
Finally, remember what we said in the intro video. This is the first step in a series of short weekly videos leading up to our annual meeting on February 22, where we will review these things together and answer questions. Then, after that meeting, we will begin a sermon series where we will open the Scriptures and work through these themes so that this is not just language on paper, but biblical conviction that shapes our life together.
Read the full SFA report HERE.
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