What is Spiritual Growth?
This is a blog I thought was really worth reading from my buddy Dave Nelson in Kenosha WS. I love his thoughts on what a spiritually deep church is and isn’t. Definitely something to think about and apply to Thrive Church.
Enjoy – Tom
This past week I learned that one of our initial launch team members has left Great Lakes Church over the issue of “spiritual maturity”. From their perspective, we’re lacking it. Life change isn’t happening as quickly as they think it should. If you feel this way, whether about GLC or some other church, BE VERY CAREFUL!
BE CAREFUL TO NOT…
…evaluate where other people are at in their spiritual journey, based on where you are at.
…assume that you know what God is doing in someone else’s heart.
…think that there is a “one-size-fits-all” approach to spiritual growth.
…force spiritual growth into a specific timeline.
…determine someone’s spiritual growth based on religious habits and personal Bible knowledge.
All you need to do is quickly read through the second half of the Bible and you’ll see that it was the biblical scholars and theologians of the day who were the ones most at odds with Jesus and his message. They were the LEAST spiritually mature. Why? ‘Cause they were so focused on everyone else that they rarely took time to evaluate their own heart and spiritual growth.
So here’s the big question, “What is one area of your life that God’s been trying to change, but you’ve been resistant?” Obedience to God in that area is your next step towards spiritual maturity!
If you say, “There is way more than one area in my life in which God is trying to change me.” Good. That means you’re focused on your spiritual journey rather than everyone else’s spiritual journey.
Posted by Dave Nelson at 8/27/2010 6:49 AM
