Milestones of Faith

            Let’s think about something called “Milestones of Faith.” Whenever a Christian (or a pre-Christian, for that matter) encounters a significant milestone in life, there is a lot we can do to encourage their growth in discipleship. We can celebrate the happy occasions, we can recognize significant achievements, we can lend a hand during difficulty, we can “have their back” at the really tough times, etc. And more to the point: we can do this in a formal, public manner, say during our regular services of worship.

It really matters how we, the Body of Christ, stand with one another at these critical times of life. Why does it matter? I like what Steven Johnson wrote:

Throughout the historical life of Israel, at times when the people of God have an encounter with God, they pause to build an altar to honor God’s movement in their lives. For instance, after Jacob has a life-altering experience of wrestling with God and receiving a new name, Jacob/Israel builds an altar in remembrance of what God has done in his life.

- See more at: http://stickyfaith.org/articles/milestones-of-faith?utm_source=FYI+E-Journal&utm_campaign=4c71334662-FYI_E_Journal_February_19_2013&utm_medium=email#sthash.VidnP1Dy.dpuf

            So let’s build a few altars of recognition, celebration, remembrance, and support. In my faith tradition, we typically observe weddings, baby dedications, Sunday school promotions, baptisms, graduations, funerals, and the like. Sometimes a church will give a Bible to children when they enter a certain grade (for example, 3^rd grade). But that’s mostly it. We haven’t really thought about life events and created ways to celebrate and honor those who successfully navigate the milestones.

            So let me suggest some possibilities that disciplers might want to think about:

1.      Celebrating a child’s entry into Kindergarten or First Grade.

2.      Praying with teens who earned their driving license. For many teens, this is one of the most significant milestones of the passage from adolescence to adulthood, yet typically the church ignores it.

3.      Celebrating when someone gets their first job.

4.      Praying with a member who got laid off from work.

5.      Celebrating advancement in rank for a Boy Scout, Girl Scout, etc.

6.      Praying with those who are beginning a new course of study, like vocational school or college.

7.      Celebrating the fulfillment of a career when someone retires.

8.      Praying with those who experience loss, through divorce or death.

9.      Celebrating when the local high school band wins the state competition.

10.  And so on . . .

So my word to you this week is to become aware of the important life passages that your people go through, and to find ways to stand with them, recognize them, weep with them, and celebrate with them. In Christ’s name.