In this episode, we talked about what we have learned about the process of spiritual growth based on responses to the REVEAL for Church survey. One key finding of REVEAL’s research is the Spiritual Continuum: four stages of spiritual maturity identified in our earliest research: Exploring Christ (10% of churchgoers on average); Growing in Christ (40%); Close to Christ (25%) and Christ-Centered (25%). Our goal with the Spiritual Continuum is not to put people in boxes. Once we discovered these four groups, we set out to learn what triggered movement from one segment to the next to help pastors determine the best next steps to help their people grow in their relationship with Christ. We call these drivers of spiritual growth “catalysts” because they speed growth much like a catalyst speeds a chemical reaction.

How We Discovered the Catalysts of Spiritual Growth

In all of the REVEAL research, spiritual growth is defined as love of God and love of others (in word and deed). We know that these increase dramatically as people grow through the stages on the Spiritual Continuum. To find the catalysts of growth, we looked across the survey items and compared people in one segment to people in the next segment (e.g., Growing in Christ compared to Close to Christ). We looked at everything from how often people pray, to how strongly they agree with core Christian beliefs like salvation by grace, to how often they attend weekend services and small groups. The factors that were showed the biggest differences when we compared people from one segment to those in the next are what we call the catalysts of spiritual growth.

Movement #1: From Exploring Christ to Growing in Christ

The top five catalysts most highly associated with movement from Exploring Christ to Growing in Christ (essentially the movement to becoming a believer) are:

¥ Two beliefs: Salvation by Grace and the Trinity

¥ Two spiritual practices: Prayer to Seek Guidance and Reflection on Scripture

¥ One church activity: Serve in a Church Ministry (once a month or more)

The most influential catalyst is belief in Salvation by Grace.

Movement #2: From Growing in Christ to Close to Christ

The top five catalysts of spiritual growth for the Growing in Christ segment are:

• One belief: in a Personal God (that God is actively involved in their lives)

• Three spiritual practices: Reflection on Scripture, Prayer, and Tithing

• One faith-based activity: Evangelism – having spiritual conversations with non-believers.

The top catalyst is belief in a personal God.

Movement #3: From Close to Christ to Christ Centered

The third movement across the Spiritual Continuum is in many ways the most challenging of all. The movement from the Close to Christ to Christ-Centered segment is not driven by things people do—it’s driven by inner transformation, which is clear from the top five catalysts:

• Agreement with an attitude we call “Giving Away My Life.” Christ-Centered people strongly agree that they are willing to risk everything important in their lives for Jesus Christ.

• Agreement that they desire Jesus to be first in their lives.

• Agreement that their identity is in Christ; they exist to know, love and serve God.

• Belief in the decisive authority of the Bible over what they say and do.

• Daily participation in reflection on Scripture.

What About the Holy Spirit?

In sharing these research findings we acknowledge that, of course, the Holy Spirit is the driver of spiritual growth. One best practice pastor, Rick Gannon of Palm Valley Church in Mission, Texas, gave us this perspective: “When the Holy Spirit comes together with human intentionality, that’s when transformation happens.” The catalysts simply open the door for the Holy Spirit to work—they are the things that people and churches can do to create an opening for the Holy Spirit to transform a human heart. The best role the church can play in helping people grow is to inspire them to do what they need to do to grow and nurture their own relationship with Jesus.

Want to learn more about how your congregants are doing on the catalysts of spiritual growth?

This work on spiritual growth catalysts is foundational to helping your congregants own their spiritual journey and take next steps to grow in their faith. The REVEAL for Church survey will tell you how well or poorly your people are doing spiritually—from the strength of their beliefs to their spiritual practices. The report churches receive when they take the survey lets church leaders how best to challenge their church to further growth in Christ-likeness. Learn more at www.revealforchurch.com