Feed yourself

One of the most common reasons people give for leaving their church for another is that they are not being spiritually fed. I myself have used this phrase many times as would have most Christians at some stage in their journey. I'm currently in hospital recovering from an operation which has given me a lot of time to think and this morning I've been thinking about that phrase 'being fed.'

What does it mean to be 'fed'? Our bodies need food to give us energy and eating is a vital part of being alive, and aside from sleep it is the only thing we do on a regular basis that puts in to our bodies to sustain us rather than comes from our bodies. Moving, thinking, talking. It all requires energy. Therefore being fed is hugely important. But I think it is the wrong metaphor for what to expect from our churches. I'm 20 years old and I've been expected to be able to fed myself for around 18-19 years. Sure in the early days it wouldn't have been all that successful but most days now I get the food in my mouth rather than all over me. People would find it very strange if they came across a 20 year old who was unable to feed themself. So why do we expect others to fed us at church? We should all be in charge of looking after our own spiritual well-being and we shouldn't be relying on external forces to sustain our faith and relationship with Jesus. 

Now this isn't me saying that the church doesn't play an important supportive role in your spiritual life. However I think the metaphor of being fed represents the unhealthy way that we rely on others to maintain our faith for us. If we're not getting fed we see it as their fault. How are we meant to spiritually mature when we are acting like children who need their superiors to put the food on a spoon, make sure it's the right temperature and choo-choo train it into our mouth?

I propose we need to change our way of viewing the church and the pastor's roles from one of a guardian and caregiver to that of a teacher and educator. I have recently finished a three year degree in sociology and education and am planning on going to teachers college next year. I'm 20 years old but I still need to learn from people who have more knowledge and wisdom than I do. I've been learning since the day I was born and I will never stop. Even better, I have taught will teach others throughout my life. A teacher is there to give you their wisdom, they can be founts of knowledge and understanding but it is up to us to choose to actively engage with our own learning. A teacher can't MAKE you learn, but they can attempt to provide you with the tools and expertise to learn. 

This is the way we need to think about faith. We are responsible for growing our faith, for deepening our understanding of, and relationship with, God. Along the way there will be many people who can teach us. The church should be a place with good teachers who challenge you. A good teacher knows you never lean anything new from staying in one place. But the church is not their to hold your faith for you. Your leaders and pastors can not grow your faith for you. 

Fed yourselves. Read books. Listen to podcasts. Engage people in conversations. It's just like when you're a kid, you will find it hard to start with but practice makes perfect and before you know it will be second nature.