SLOW

Did you know there was such a thing as the Slow Food Movement?  It was launched over a decade ago as an act of resistance against the negative effects of globalization and the loss of cultural diversity.  

J. Pattison says the term 'Slow Food' was inspired by a rally against the opening of a McDonald's restaurant near the Spanish Steps in Rome.  Apparently the crowd present chanted over and over: 'We don't want fast food; we want slow food!'  (And if you've ever been to Rome, you would most certainly agree.)  

"Plant sequoias."

Slow Food isn't the only 'slow' campaign out there.  There is Slow Money, Slow Art, Slow Gardening and Slow Parenting.  While all these efforts differ in scope and strategy, they have something in common: they are in opposition to the 'cult of speed.'

Fast is busy.  It is aggressive, hurried, impatient, stress-filled, quantity-over-quality.  Slow is ... well ... slow.  It is reflective, calm, careful, still, quality-over-quantity.  Pattison says the church in North America seems susceptible to the speed demon.  

J. Dodson says, 'Time is a gift, not a burden.'  We may, as a church, begin work we won't see the end of. 'Plant sequoias,' as someone has said.

A Slow Church philosophy allows us to settle into the good, long labor of spiritual formation.  It is not growth in a microwave, but in a crock pot.  

I know there are people who come to KFA on Sunday morning at 10:30 looking for a deep spiritual experience, but they want it within the half-hour.  They want a light show, some great music and a dynamic speaker.  Boom.  Done.  But the 'walk' is about taking time over time.

Our challenge is taking well-meaning, great-hearted believers and helping them get depth and strength, sustained thru good times and bad -- to be faithful in whatever circumstances.  And that takes time.  Some days it's one step forward, two steps back.  It takes time.  Slow down.

And be blessed.