Maturity Births Immaturity

We call Hope church a church for the unchurched.  This gives us a bad reputation with some churches who do not share our vision.  Part of the dynamic of being a church for the unchurched is that you actually have a bunch of seekers, sinners and baby Christians walking around.  This can get messy sometimes but if seen properly, it can be the most exciting adventure in the world.  I love the way Mark Beeson addresses this issue when talking about a truly mature church.

Three days ago Rick Warren proffered this question for me to mull over. “What is the mature church?”

I knew immediately how I would respond.

“The ‘mature church’ is the church filled with immaturity.”

Anywhere in the world, whether plant or animal, the clear delineation of “maturity” is the ability to reproduce.  Immature animals can’t reproduce.  Immature plants can’t replicate themselves.  The definition of maturity is “being fully ripe, fully aged” so the connotation of maturity is obvious.  Where you see maturity you’ll observe new life, babies and immaturity all over the place.

Maturity desires reproduction.
Maturity tolerates juvenile behavior (from juveniles) while training its progeny for success in life.

If you attend a mature church, be prepared for immaturity.

Where you find mature Christians you’ll find little “babes in Christ” running all over the place.  In fact, if you have been looking for a church where “everyone tithes” or “everyone serves” you’re not looking for a mature church, you are looking for a dying church - aged, impotent and bereft of spiritual newborns because “everyone” is mature.

To read the full post click here.  Don’t let the picture of a turkey throw you.  It is about maturity.