This post is part of a series where I present my approach to discipleship and spiritual formation, which I call Slow Cooker Faith.

Click the links below for previous entries:
Slow cooker faith, part 1: “on fire” for Jesus?

Slow Cooker Faith, part 2: Trying to re-kindle the flame

Slow Cooker Faith, part 3: Burn Victims

My previous posts focused on the “on fire for Jesus” faith culture, which is unsustainable, and leaves people burned out … and just burned.

The alternative is what I call Slow Cooker Faith. A slow cooker works by cooking on lower heat for a longer period of time. It has a peak temperature of about 215° degrees, but regularly cycles between that high and a low of about 175°. Meaning—there are ebbs and flows built in, but you don’t get wild variations. There’s a native consistency to the process.

This should help you understand what I mean by slow cooker faith. It’s a sustainable, consistent way of Christian living. And what I will argue God actually intends, and what wise believers across the centuries have directed us towards.

The slow-burning “fire” of the slow cooker comes from the base and the sides. In my analogy, this “heat” is the work of the Triune God in our salvation, which is ours by faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-10).

The primary mottos of slow cooker faith are found in Hebrews 12:2 and Philippians 1:6; and Hebrews 7:25:

keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

… he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

Our faith will have peaks and valleys, ebbs and flows—like the internal temperature of a slow cooker. But what we do not need to worry about is the “flame” burning out, nor trying to “rekindle” the old heat.

Slow Cooker Faith begins with the premise that Christ is not only the author and finisher—the beginning and end—but also the sustainer of our faith throughout our life.