Following a discussion of the Web of Spiritual Relationships at a church conference in Florida, one gentleman remarked, "This was interesting, but all we did was describe every Methodist church in the denomination!" The assumption made was that his church was "normal" and that all churches are pretty much the same. The way one group (or person) experiences and approaches God must be similar to the way all groups do so, right? Wrong.

     There are six different spirituality types defined in Equipped for Every Good Work: Head, Heart, Pilgrim, Mystic, Servant, and Crusader. While there may be many more, these six types combine to form a "web" of ways we both approach God and experience God in our lives. No one person is just one "type," but moves across the web in different circumstances and at different phases of faith development. However, all people tend to approach and experience God in one or two predominant ways. There are some similarities among many United Methodist congregations, but an emerging trend is worth noting — newcomers to the faith are very different from people who have been members of a church family for a number of years.

     We have gathered statistics on United Methodist spiritual preferences for almost twenty years. We look at people's individual preferences, but we also ask people to assess how their congregation provides for the various needs of the different types. Here is what we have found:

Personal Preferences — Longtime Members
Head	39%
Heart	29%
Pilgrim	20%
Mystic	4%
Servant	7%
Crusader	1%

     In our Methodist churches, the majority of people prefer either a head or a heart experience. Head types prefer learning about God, studying the Bible, following a set pattern of worship, praying formal prayers — often written — and they respond well to reasoned, rational explanations of the faith. Heart types prefer experiences of God, praying spontaneously, worshiping with lots of singing and interactive litanies, and sharing inspirational stories and testimony. In a "normal" congregation, almost 70 % of those who attend fit these two preferences.

     Additionally, when we ask people to assess how well the church provides for each of the types, we see that the overwhelming opinion is that our United Methodist congregations are essentially head-based:

Congregation provides for ... according to Longtime Members
Head	80%
Heart	12%
Pilgrim	6%
Mystic	0%
Servant	2%
Crusader	0%

     The way faith development is resourced by the majority of our congregations is to aim right between the eyes — it appears that we want to teach faith, more than to help people experience, seek, or live faith.

     However, what happens if we limit our responses to only those who are relatively new to the Christian faith (less than five years) and their congregational home (less than three years)? One false assumption we might make is that newcomers will be essentially "just like us." The evidence contradicts this assumption:

Personal Preferences — Newcomers
Head	11%
Heart	17%
Pilgrim	33%
Mystic	7%
Servant	27%
Crusader	5%

     Note the radical shift — newcomers are a pilgrim/servant blend, rather than a head/heart blend. Whereas head types want answers, pilgrims seek meaning. Where heart types enjoy the warm embrace of fellowship, servants seek to get their hands dirty living their faith in the world. Head and heart types like to congregate for corporate worship; pilgrims like small groups; and servants like work projects. Head and heart types will work for hours on committees and councils; pilgrims and servants want projects and teams. Head and heart types are well conditioned to have worship performed for them; while pilgrims want interactive worship where they are continuously involved and engaged and can ask questions. Servants want worship to prepare them for ministry in daily life.

     Interestingly, newcomer's perceptions of the existing church are very similar to the more long-tenured church members:

Congregation provides for ... according to Newcomers
Head	77%
Heart	16%
Pilgrim	4%
Mystic	0%
Servant	3%
Crusader	0%

     A common criticism of newcomers is that they do not get "involved"; but often those who prefer head- and heart-type experiences define that involvement. Many newcomers may not stay with a congregation that offers little or nothing to meet them where they are in their faith journey.

     What are the implications for our congregations when we offer experiences that do not track with the faith reality of our members?

     What are the implications of a shift away from a more traditional head/heart orientation to a pilgrim/servant orientation?

     What about the poor mystics and crusaders who never feel at home in our current configuration?

     There is a wonderful "mission field" before us. The incredible spiritual diversity of each congregation is evolving and growing. Never before have we had so many people who approach and experience God in different ways to help broaden our ministries. As leaders of congregations, perhaps the most valuable work we can do is to study the landscape of our spiritual relationships and expand our experiences to allow for more pilgrim and servants. The point is not to abandon what we do well, but to seek appropriate ways to do more.

Dan R. Dick is a former staff member of the General Board of Discipleship.

Posted 2-4-03.