Faith can be enhanced or it can be diminished.  It is the responsibility of each individual to cultivate, nourish, and grow her/his faith or to allow it to wither away and possibly die.  Jesus illustrated this principle in the Parable of the Sower in Mark chapter 4 in the New Testament.

The process of growing in Christ is known as spiritual formation.  However spiritual growth is not automatic.  It requires training, persistence, and hard work.

To optimize your spiritual growth, you need community — open, honest, intimate relationships with others who are sincerely seeking to get closer to God.  However, the traditional Sunday morning format of most Western churches is not conducive to intimacy and openness; but rather promotes private passivity instead of personal participation.  “Houston (and other Western cities), we have a problem.”

In the first half of the Twentieth Century, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) discovered that spiritual recovery requires sharing and honesty.  Its open, participatory meetings have spread around the world and AA has become known as the world’s most effective tool for helping alcoholics.  Why?  Because intimate sharing with others enhances your relationship with your Higher Power (God).

So why hasn’t religion caught on?  Good question.

Participatory church powerfully preaches without sermons as everyday people show and tell what God has done.  Come and see for yourself at Nashville’s most unique church — The Salvation Army Berry Street — on Sunday mornings at 10:45, 225 Berry St., 37207.