A fellow blogger described the relationship between depression and the unending search for the right church. But that brought up a slightly different twist in my mind. How do you tell the difference between religiosity and spirituality? Internetmonk well described how depression can lead to an unending search for the Truth. In fact, part of the symptomology is that they cannot seem to stop the search and end up neither settling down nor being productive for the Kingdom of God. Of them, it could easily be said that they are like the seed that dropped to the ground and bore fruit, but the cares of the world–or rather not the cares but their inner damage–has choked off the fruit.
But, in the Orthodox we have people–often converts–who are very religious. Often is is linked to a strong concern that the rules of the Church be kept. Now in describing them this way, I have made it seem as though it is easy to tell who is suffering from religiosity. But, in real life it is not that easy. You see, there are people who do legitimately come up to us and point out that we are beginning to stray somewhat. Those people can often be sent of God and can be very valuable to a pastor as a way to keep the pastor pointed at the mark. Because we react against people suggesting to us that we are not following the rule, however, we pastors may end up putting that person off as though they, too, were suffering a bout of religiosity rather than a person concerned about our spiritual health and the health of the congregation.
Yet, there are still the people who are suffering from religiosity. They go to the services; they do the right things; they may, actually, be rather obedient folk. But something inside tells you, as the pastor, that something is not quite right. So, here is my question. As a pastor, how do I differentiate between someone who is suffering an acute attack of religiosity and someone who is very spiritual and godly?
Get to know them a little better. And realize that none of them are “spiritual and godly”.
We’re all just a bunch of needy sinners. Strip off the religiosity (on them) by being yourself. Letting them know that you too, are in the same boat.
I think that goes a long way to getting people be themselves and get off the “religiosity” kick.
Good question. Here is another good question. How do we get Pastors to ask your question and care?
My only answer to you is a spirit of true humility washes over the godly. The opposite sometimes occurs with the religious. That’s all i Got.
By the time someone who is a pastor gets to the point of not asking questions, it is almost too late for anyone except the Holy Spirit. Often that pastor needs one of those “shocks” that God can give all of us to bump us back towards the road.