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Christianity Today, October (Web-only), 2007 |

SOULWORK

Am I Growing Yet?

What a disappointed "fully devoted follower of Jesus" should be looking for.

Mark Galli | posted 10/25/2007 09:31AM

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Which brings us to those "fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ." They are not "being fed," they say. They are not getting enough in-depth Bible teaching. They are so discouraged about the church's inability to help them grow, they are ready to quit. Does it strike anyone else that these followers have missed a crucial part of what it means to be fully devoted to Jesus?

Should we be encouraging this apparent spiritual narcissism by helping people become "self-feeders"? This does not strike me as a healthy way to describe the mature disciple of Jesus Christ. While there is great wisdom in developing for individuals a "customized personal spiritual growth plan"—which looks very much like the venerable practice of spiritual direction—I wonder if we want to make "my spiritual growth" the focus for the mature believer.

The more mature we become in Jesus, the less we try to measure or chart or describe "my spiritual growth." Instead, we are called to think less about ourselves and more about God. We're less interested in what the self is experiencing and more interested in the Jesus we're serving. The self, including the spiritual self, is increasingly crucified. The key question of the mature disciple is not "Am I growing?" but "Am I serving?"

"The Son of Man," Jesus said referring to himself, "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). I would hope we could teach fully devoted followers of Jesus not so much to be self-feeders but self-givers.

Finally, I wonder if these fully-devoted followers are overlooking something right before their very eyes. The church, they say, no longer feeds them. Well, what better place to learn to serve selflessly than in a place from which one doesn't receive much at all! Is this not a nearly perfect place for mature followers to crucify the self that demands we keep looking at our spiritual navels, and instead give our lives to others, that they might grow in their faith? Is this not what Paul means when he says the whole church is to grow together in love?

Do not misunderstand me: This is not about Willow Creek, a church I continue to admire and do not hesitate to recommend to others. The church's survey and their response strike me as typical of evangelicalism and of our sometimes truncated understanding of Christian maturity. Not that I have a corner on understanding this, but if iron sharpens iron, perhaps continued conversation on this issue can help us all grow into the complete stature of Christ.

Mark Galli is senior managing editor of Christianity Today. He is the author of Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God (Baker). You can comment below or on his blog.

Related Elsewhere:

Leadership Journal's Out of Ur blog also commented on Willow Creek's new approach.

Previous SoulWork columns are available on our site.

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October (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51

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F McDonald

Posted: October 30, 2007 9:10 AM

This is often a problem with fast going modern churches. No-one wants to be a fun spoiler at the beginning because all are caught up in the vision/fun. < Most surprising to Hybels and Hawkins was the response of "fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ": They were disappointed with the church. They "are not being fed." They want "more of the meat of the Word of God." They want "more serious-minded Scripture taught to them." The church is not helping them grow spiritually, and, says Hawkins, "increasingly, these folks are thinking about leaving the church." > But after a while many fully devoted followers are not happy with aggressive evangelism coupled with aggressive building building which needs many administrators but like a good flock say nothing. Then along comes a survey so all could put aside pet sufferings and be totally honest. Good for the leadership to do this and I do not have an answer for those who feel they have made a mistake in original choice to follow a star.

Charles

Posted: October 28, 2007 2:48 PM

I think mentoring or some other form of accountability relationship is the key for maturing Christians. I didn't get it at my last church, and never formally/institutionally in any church I've ever been a part of. The pastor knew it, he was always striving to find a group of men he could mentor. But a mentor isn't passive. Does he let you not show up for church for three weeks in a row? No. We need someone to come along side and help us grow. I don't think we ever lose the need for a parenting/mentoring relationship. People need a relationship with a person that will kick them in the rear, call them on shirking, challenge them to grow, etc. Theology etc can be learned out of a book if needed, practical day to day living takes both personal activities such as reading, prayer and devotionals, and someone regularly talking/observing/etc. Does the church care I exist? Where was my elder? Who cared? No one. I will never stop being a son, I will always have a father need.

Rex W Slagel

Posted: October 28, 2007 2:38 PM

While I appreciate the interpretaion of the survey, the fact that it was taken reveals the course of the "church" in America. That folks consider leaving a particular church in hopes of "getting fed" at another is unheard of in the rest of the world. Fewer choices create appreciation for the extras. This is not a Willow Creek issue; it is an issue of self-entitlement that is culturally driven and carries over into the church where the separation of self should occur. Churches have begun to cater to the individual rather then the concept of Christianity. We've gone past reaching people where they are and have begun to submit to their approval rating. Certainly pastors are responsible to recognize the hearts of the congregants and aim his message at change or growth of the individual so the entity s a whole benefits. People leave churches for personal reasons, not because their spiritual stomachs are empty. They have the utensils to feed themselves, but lack the passion for Christ.

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