Maybe a better question would be, “What do you understand by
flourishing?”
Most dictionaries give about a half dozen meanings for the
word flourish. One meaning is an
embellishment, a decorative addition either to one’s handwriting or a literary
or musical piece. An extra. It’s not necessary, but it adds to the beauty or
enjoyment.
Another meaning is prosperous,
with prosperous usually defined as growing in wealth, honor, comfort, or
“whatever is desirable.”
The meaning that is closest to Ascending Leaders’
understanding and intent of flourish
as we use it in our tagline—helping
churches, leaders and disciples flourish—is thriving. Some dictionaries identify it as blossoming and use agricultural illustrations to explain. “The
crops flourished in the rich soil.” (American Heritage Dictionary).
Christians are often admonished to “bloom where they are
planted,” with scripture references like 1 Corinthians 7:20 used to support
this advice.
I want to be careful about giving the impression that when
we talk about flourishing we are only
suggesting or encouraging people to make the best of a less-than-optimum
situation. It is true that life this side of Jesus’ return is marred with the
frustrating results of sin—life is not fully as it ought to be in God’s eyes. And
we are not to fall into an escapism, but rather to live as Jesus’ salt and
light, as his redemption present, in less-than-desirable circumstances.
Yet what
we envision when churches and their congregants flourish are conditions that
make it possible for the church as Christ’s bride and the individual members to
grow more deeply in love with Jesus and as a result to better love others—that is
become more like Jesus. We’re talking about churches, disciples and leaders of
increasing spiritual, emotional and physical health.
Plants that thrive have the right soil pH, adequate sunlight
and moisture for their unique needs. Just as not every plant thrives in loamy
soil, not every church or follower of Jesus thrives in the same environment. In
healthy churches, leaders are attentive to the health of the church members,
the church as a body and the broader community within which God has placed them.
They discern together how best to encourage vitality.
This fall I have been blessed to lead multiple DiscipleForward workshops in California,
west Michigan, and here in Houston. Together with pastors and ministry leaders
we talk about the best ways for them to help the folks in their churches,
especially adults, flourish.
What kind of soil (environment) do they need?
What
types of actions will best feed and water (nourish) disciples?
What interferes
with their spiritual growth?
What can we do to make our church a healthier
place so that everyone thrives, keeps moving forward with Jesus and produces
fruit?
Perhaps that sounds like an overwhelming task to you. Let me
encourage you to impress upon your leaders that this is a team effort. The
church is a body that needs to work together for the benefit of the whole.
We
have workshops coming up in Arizona, central Iowa, west Michigan and Houston yet
this fall. Churches that have come with multiple staff and leaders are finding great advantage to a team approach to seeing their church
flourish. I hope you live near one of those locations and can join us to learn
together about effective discipleship.
