What is congregational way-finding and why is it important?

Research indicates that Religion in America is on the decline. However, a recent Pew survey revealed that spirituality is on the rise. 7 in 10 Americans consider themselves spiritual while, 3 in 10 Americans attend religious services regularly according to a poll taken by Gallop. While Religion in America is on the decline, spirituality is on the incline. Spirituality was defined in the Pew Research article as those who desire to “connect with their true selves or something larger than themselves.” Of those who consider themselves spiritual, these practices emerged as prominent to their experience of spirituality: You can read the article here.

The decline of Christianity in America is an invitation for leaders, ministers, and congregations, to enter into a dialogue around the current landscape of American Christianity, the local church, and its future. Political Scientist and Associate Professor, Ryan Burge, has mapped the ebb and flow of Religion in America and predicts “wholesale denominational closure over the next 20 to 30 years.” As the church continues to move through untraversed territory, leaders, ministers, and congregations have already been given everything they need to trek into this new era with confidence.

The tools and practices that are tasked with meeting these deep spiritual needs are latent within the Christian Wisdom Tradition. Early sages garnered keen insights by participating in nature and observing the animal kingdom. It was a way of synchronizing with the rhythms and patterns of the Divine by discerning environmental specifics and attuning to a higher-plane of awareness particularly in times of crisis, and the unknown. As the church awakens to itself and the coming decades, re-evaluating practices, beliefs, and values will be a feature as subtle shifts in congregational life materialize and the church reforms and the presence of God intensifies in ways that are yet to be known.

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