Flourishing in Faith

As we embark on the second half of our Jubilee Year, we turn our attention to the years in the College’s life we have categorised as the times we “flourished in faith”. We have to be careful not to confuse this with “flourished because of faith” or “flourished by faith”, lest we confuse God’s grace extended to us with a sense of our hard work being the reason the school has thrived for the last 20+ years.

No, our celebrations will focus on the formation and maturation in faith of members our community as they have heard from God, been led and mentored, and discerned a call to serve faithfully within and beyond our College community.

There are many elements to a life lived following Jesus, seeking to grow and flourish in faith. Recently, I conducted a survey of adults and students to understand how they best understood their own flourishing in faith was aligned to, in terms of their own activities.  

Here is a summary of the responses, written in the active tense, as a way of encouraging and building one another up as a Christian community together.

Intentionally being part of an active participant in the nurturing and supportive Christian community our College is, with its shared beliefs and mutual accountability.

Praying consistently, seeking transformation from and intimacy with God. 

Persevering in prayer, seeking to endure trials with deep commitment.

The regular discipline of studying the Bible, as part of building a strong spiritual foundation.

Memorising Scripture.

Actively participating in worship, allowing for spiritual nourishment and fellowship through these experiences.

Seeking and learning from wise spiritual counsel and mentoring.

Taking the opportunities to lead like Jesus.

Trusting in God’s providence, having faith in His plan.

Continually pursuing deeper spiritual understanding.

Seeing life’s experiences as learning and growth opportunities.

Embracing grace, seeking forgiveness and releasing resentment.

Cultivating gratitude and praise, seeing thankfulness as a growth mindset perspective and posture.

Sharing out faith experiences with confidence, giving testimony to God’s love.

Embracing humility and servanthood as a way of emulating Christ’s example.

Many in our community for the last fifty years have role-modelled these spiritual and faith disciples amongst us; in this year of Jubilee, may these suggested pointers towards active flourishing be a deep encouragement to you.

Shalom.