The Problem of Becoming Mature in Many Aspects
Ephesians 4:15-15
The word teleios is the Greek word used for maturity. It implies a wholeness, perfection and completeness. Growing up in all aspects in Christ is a life-long exercise in discipling ourselves for the purpose of godliness.
Illustration: "I want to, I need to be more like Jesus. The end of all my prayers, is to care like my Lord cared. My one and only goal, His image in my soul. He’s faithful and He’s true to complete the work He began in you."
Keith Green - famous Christian song writer
We live in a world where the are many cultural, personal, or circumstantial obstacles that tend to stand in the way of anyone who wants to become mature in Christ. Yet, without maturity we cannot become all that God wants us to be. Neither can we know all that the Lord wants us to understand.
Illustration: As water never rises above its level so what we do never rises above what we are...We shall never take people one hair’s breadth beyond our own spiritual attainment. We may point to higher things, but we shall only take them as far as we ourselves have gone.
W.H. Griffith Thomas.
Furthermore, we cannot do all that our heavenly Father wants us to accomplish without ascending the ladders of Biblical maturity. Once certain people attain a level of proficiency in areas like teaching, relationship building, or preaching they assume that they qualify for being a mature Christian. However, the Bible commands us to grow up into ALL aspects into Christ. This holistic approach to maturity is a challenge for everyone who is serious about realizing their maximum potential.
Illustration: C.S. Lewis, on the freedom of reaching maturity:
When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am 50, I read them openly. When I became a man, I put away childish things -- including the fear of childishness and the desire to be grown-up.
Of Other World, Edited by Walter Hooper.
The following steps to maturity are filled with promised blessings and power. Every person’s journey will be unique, but it will involve the following ten levels. Your experiences may differ according to your own background or set of assumptions. Yet, maturity in Christ is the pre-requisite to accomplishing the whole will of God and experiencing His maximum power!
Illustration: You’re never too old to grow up.
Shirley Conran, Savages.
TEN STEPS TO CHRISTIAN MATURITY
1. Exposure - When the truth of the scriptures is revealed to people through teaching, preaching, films, examples, good works, conversations, healing, answers to prayers, or any means of communication, people are able to see the benefits of a mature relationship with Christ. Difficulties often occur when one is unable to present the truth in a credible, relevant, or need meeting way. We need to be open to expose ourselves to all aspects of truth because all truth is God’s truth. A closed mind impedes our ability to see the entire will of God and the full depth, breadth, height and length of God’s love. Teach people the advantages of exposing themselves to all facets of truth.
Illustration: "If you stop and ask yourself why you are not so devoted as the (early) Christians, your own heart will tell you that it is neither through ignorance nor inability, but purely because you never thoroughly intended it."
William Law, Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear, Jon Johnston, 1990, SP Publications, p. 34.
2. Awareness - When people gain a conscious knowledge of the aspects involved with maturity in Christ they are able to express it in their own words. However, it often takes a crisis, a problem, or some kind of adversity to make people aware of their deepest spiritual needs. Maturity is often catalyzed when people become aware of their needs for growth through a felt, perceived or experiential need. Teach people the benefit of gaining a keen awareness of the many dimensions of truth.
Illustration: The work of Japanese painter Hokusai spanned many years before his death in 1849 at age 89. But toward the end of his life, the artist dismissed as nothing all the work he had done before age 50. It was only after he reached 70 that he felt he was turning out anything worthy of note. On his deathbed Hokusai lamented, "If heaven had granted me five more years, I could have become a real painter."
Today in the Word, September 16, 1992.
3. Receptivity - When someone consents to receive something they are exhibiting an acceptance based upon its perceived worth. Belief presupposes an appreciation for the ideals of Jesus Christ and His word. Openness or receptivity to change assumes a willingness to improve in one’s relationships and ministries. Give people examples of others who benefited from change through
a receptive attitude.
Illustration: Amy Carmichael once penned these thoughts: Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment.
quoted in Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel, 1987, Word Books Publisher, p. 130.
4. Involvement - People seek ministry involvement when they want to experience something first hand. Involvement implies the fact that one is willing to invest time, talents, resources, and energies into something outside of their own sphere of familiarity. Sharing experiences with Godly people may be the first step to great involvement with Christ, His body, and Christian service. Prove to people from your own life the advantages of being involved in the following aspects of Christian maturity.
Illustration: Strong sons of God are not perfected by childish pursuits.
David Breese, Living For Eternity, Moody Press, 1988, p. 78.
5. Growth - People begin to mature when they want to experience the bene Growth implies change that may not always be pleasant, but is understood to be worthwhile. A growing Christian is one who is willing to seek to produce fruit.
Give people examples of the rewards for growth in the following twenty areas of Christian maturity.
6. Developing Gifts - Christians who are learning to utilize their gifts and abilities can be said to have reached this stage. Sadly, many believers are yet to identify their gifts and talents. Failure to risk various types of service often means that people lack discernment in determining their strengths.
Give people an opportunity to utilize their gifts and discover and develop what unique gifts God has given them.
7. Discipling - Maturing believers actively take opportunities to lead, feed, and enable developers to become disciples. Despite the hardships involved these disciple-makers are willing to work together on ministry projects. Through an apprenticeship program disciple-makers nurture their disciples toward maturity. Guide people through the processes of disciple- making in your church and community.
Illustration: Though many of us have seen pictures of a huge eagle’s nest high in the branches of a tree or in the crag of a cliff, few of us have gotten a glimpse inside. When a mother eagle builds her nest she starts with thorns, broken branches, sharp rocks, and a number of other items that seem entirely unsuitable for the project. But then she lines the nest with a thick padding of wool, feathers, and fur from animals she has killed, making it soft and comfortable for the eggs. By the time the growing birds reach flying age, the comfort of the nest and the luxury of free meals make them quite reluctant to leave. That’s when the mother eagle begins "stirring up the nest." With her strong talons she begins pulling up the thick carpet of fur and feathers, bringing the sharp rocks and branches to the surface. As more of the bedding gets plucked up, the nest becomes more uncomfortable for the young eagles. Eventually, this and other urgings prompt the growing eagles to leave their once-comfortable abode and move on to more mature behavior.
Today in the Word, June 11, 1989.
8. Leading - A leader causes others to follow their example in words, deeds, and ideals. When one helps to organize others in Bible studies, prayer groups, and house fellowships they are shepherding a flock toward maturity.
Give people chances to exercise their leadership skills by supervising them in assigned group responsibilities.
Illustration: Human beings grow by striving, working, stretching; and in a sense, human nature needs problems more than solutions. Why are not all prayers answered magically and instantly? Why must every convert travel the same tedious path of spiritual discipline? Because persistent prayer, and fasting, and study, and meditation are designed primarily for our sakes, not for God’s. Kierkegaard said that Christians reminded him of schoolboys who want to look up the answers to their math problems in the back of the book rather than work them through...We yearn for shortcuts. But shortcuts usually lead away from growth, not toward it. Apply the principle directly to Job: what was the final result of the testing he went through? As Rabbi Abraham Heschel observed, "Faith like Job’s cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken."
Philip Yancey, Disappointment With God, Zondervan, pp. 207-8.
9. Multiplying - It is one thing to lead, but it is even better to produce mature believers in quantity and quality. The Lord wants to help us multiply our converts, disciples, and churches. God is keenly interested in multiplying His love, righteousness, and truth throughout all people groups of the world. Multiply your leaders by sending them to various churches and fields where they can start new churches, schools, or house fellowships.
Illustration: A while back on "The Merv Griffin Show," the guest was a body builder. During the interview, Merv asked "Why do you develop those particular muscles?" The body builder simply stepped forward and flexed a series of well-defined muscles from chest to calf. The audience applauded. "What do you use all those muscles for?" Merv asked. Again, the muscular specimen flexed, and biceps and triceps sprouted to impressive proportions. "But what do you USE those muscles for?" Merv persisted. The body builder was bewildered. He didn’t have an answer other than to display his well-developed frame. I was reminded that our spiritual exercises--Bible study, prayer, reading Christian books, listening to Christian radio and tapes--are also for a purpose. They’re meant to strengthen our ability to build God’s kingdom, not simply to improve our pose before an admiring audience.
Gary Gulbranson, Leadership, Summer, 1989, p. 43.
10. Christlikeness - The highest level of maturity is experienced when one becomes like Jesus in attitudes, perspectives, and actions. Most of the problems of life could be solved if people became more like the Master. From Christ comes all goodness, power, and truth. It is not what is on the outside of a person that defiles one, but what comes from within. We are able to do everything that God asks us to do through Christ who gives us the strength and power! Help people see how Christ is producing fruit through your life in your teaching, preaching, and disciple-making ministries.
Illustration: I met a young man not long ago who dives for exotic fish for aquariums. He said one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark. He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet. That also happens to some Christians. I’ve seen some of the cutest little six-inch Christians who swim around in a little puddle. But if you put them into a larger arena--into the whole creation--only then can they become great.
Charles Simpson.
Illustration: In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?"
The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."
A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Growth takes time, and as I Timothy 3:6 and 5:22 point out, even spiritual leadership must be earned.
William C. Shereos.
THIRTY-ONE AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO GROW IN MATURITY FOR PERSONAL AND MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT
1. SPIRITUAL LIFE
a. Developing an intimate relationship with the Lord through Bible study, prayer, and worship.
b. Experiences the power of prayer and personal discipline.
c. Knows Biblical ethical principles
d. Studies the Bible systematically & devotionally
e. Demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit
f. Shows an attitude of service
h. Facilitates the adoption of an Biblical and culturally relevant ethic
i. Respects established laws and regulations
j. Understands and uses ones spiritual gifts
2. PRACTICAL ABILITIES
a. Knows how to take advantage of a situation
b. Knows how to grow, develop, and repair
c. Knows how to perform household duties
d. Knows how to operate ministry equipment
e. Has knowledge of first-aid medicine and hygiene
f. Has knowledge of preventive safety measures
g. Encourages the use of indigenous music in ministry
3. TEACHING
a. Knows how to prepare and use teaching aids
b. Can prepare culturally relevant lesson plans
c. Sets and accomplishes teaching aims
d. Knows various teaching methods
e. Demonstrates creativity
f. Can analyze students and their learning needs
g. Can direct students in applying the truth
h. Can evaluate teaching effectiveness
i. Has literacy teaching skills
4. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
a. Can assess and prioritize community needs
b. Knows the Biblical basis for community development
c. Knows how to mobilize for community development
d. Knows means of raising resources
e. Recognizes the importance of appropriate technology
f. Knows how to identify and utilize local leadership
g. Knows how to plan for maintenance projects
5. SPIRITUAL WARFARE
a. Understands the Biblical teaching about demons and Satan
b. Can recognize the evidences of demonic operations
c. Understands the believer’s position of authority
d. Experiences victory over demonic operations
e. Has experience in Christian deliverance ministries
f. Knows the power of prayer, fasting, and the scriptures
g. Knows how to relate spiritual warfare to evangelism and missions
h. Can teach others about spiritual warfare
6. EMOTIONAL HEALTH
a. Is found fit emotionally and psychologically for ministry
b. Is open to receiving counseling
c. Demonstrates a healthy self-image
d. Maintains emotional balance
e. Is consistent in motivation toward what one begins
f. Knows how to manage failure
g. Is approved physically and emotionally in overcoming difficulties
h. Balances work with leisure time
i. Takes weekly and annual breaks
j. Enjoys healthy friendships with spiritual people
7. EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS
a. Knows the gospel and how to express it to others in relevant, appropriate and need meeting ways
b. Demonstrates a passion for souls and the unreached peoples of the world
c. Knows how to communicate with others adequately
d. Practices personal evangelism
e. Knows how to prepare evangelistic presentations
f. Knows effective and culturally sensitive methods of evangelism
g. Knows how to identify with those with whom one is sharing the truth
h. Knows how to respond to problems and objections along with criticisms
i. Shows evidence of a definite call to ministry
j. Knows the history and science of missions
8. DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY
a. Has been discipled
b. Makes disciples
c. Shows sensitivity to new converts
d. Is a model disciple and is worthy of being imitated
e. Transmits life as well as knowledge to others
f. Has knowledge of Pastoral counseling and shepherding
g. Shows love for one’s own disciples
h. Knows strategies and methods of discipleship
i. Makes disciples who in turn make more disciples
9 LEADERSHIP
a. Recognizes and is sensitive to the voice of God
b. Knows how to work with a team both as a leader and as a follower
c. Knows how to delegate authority
d. Plans and establishes objectives
e. Encourages, motivates, and transmits vision
f. Knows ones own limitations
g. Has experience as a leader
h. Knows how to develop and use the spiritual gifts of others
i. Serves with selflessness
j. Shows flexibility
10. THEOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
a. Knows the triune God, (The Father of Law, The Son of Love, and the Holy
Spirit of Liberty) His person, and work
b. Understands God’s eternal purposes for creation
c. Knows the main doctrines of scripture
d. Knows the nature and mission of the church
e. Knows church growth principles
f. Knows how to defend the reliability of the Bible
g. Knows relevant theological issues
h. Has knowledge of different religions
i. Knows contemporary religions
11. BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE
a. Is convinced that the Bible is the inerrant word of God
b. Knows and loves the Bible
c. Knows how to apply sound principles of Bible study methods and interpretation
d. Knows basic Bible background information
e. Understands that the Bible contains solutions to human problems
f. Applies Biblical messages to one’s life and ministry
g. Knows the Biblical basis for missions
h. Has a habit of meditating on scripture while integrating it into every area of life
12. LINGUISTIC ORIENTATION
a. Is disciplined and persistent
b. Knows language and acquisition techniques
c. Is willing to learn
d. Is humble and uninhibited
e. Can laugh at errors
f. Can recognize idiomatic gestures and terms
g. Has experience with language learning
h. Demonstrates proficiency with the language used in ministry
13. CULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS
a. Demonstrates a desire to know the host culture
b. Is willing to identify with a host culture
c. Knows what is effective communication
d. Knows how to manage culture shock
e. Overcomes racial prejudice
f. Solves communication problems
g. Interprets verbal and non-verbal messages
h. Distinguishes what is cultural and what is Biblical
i. Can detect cross-cultural bridges for evangelism
14. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
a. Applies Biblical principles to relationships
b. Knows how to manage interpersonal conflicts
c. Maintains good family relationships
d. Looks for relationships with others unlike self
e. Has a basic understanding of psychology
f. Knows how to listen to others and responds appropriately
g. Lives well with others in a group setting
h. Has the ability to confide with others and to keep confidences
i. Knows how to share material resources with others
j. Maintains a good attitude when criticized
15. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
a. Is able to analyze his own culture
b. Is conscious of his own ethnocentricity
c. Is informed on ethnic groups within one’s country
d. Respects other cultures
d. Respects other cultures, promotes, Christian transformation of culture, and can adapt to other cultures
e. Knows Biblical anthropology, is able to do research of another culture, and has short term cross-cultural experience
16. CHURCH RELATIONS
a. Is a committed member of a church, maintains a good testimony, and subjects oneself to the authorities
b. Knows how to inform the church of one’s ministry tasks, understands the purposes of the church, and has the support of a local church or one’s denomination
c. Exercises an approved ministry for the church, maintains good communications, and know how to relate to other church bodies and para-church organizations
17. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
a. Knowledge - The ability to recall, restate, and identify information
b. Understanding - The ability to express in one’s own words a comprehension of truth
c. Application - The ability to put into knowledge to work in practical and measurable ways
d. Analysis - The ability to understand the reasons why things work or they do not succeed
e. Synthesis - The ability to put pieces of truth together to form creative solutions to problems
f. Evaluation - The ability to assess the worth, value or suitability of something using reliable criteria
18. AFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT
a. Receiving - The acceptance of ideas and motivations
b. Responding - The willingness to comply with an idea
c. Valuing - The attaching of a belief in something because of its worth, usefulness or credibility
d. Organization - The ability to bring to bear several values into a set of priorities
e. Characterization - To gain a reputation by identifying closely with the specified values
19. BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT
a. Perception - To apprehend the skill by closely observing an example of the desired proficiency
b. Set - The ability to set one’s mind, will, and body ready to act skillfully
c. Guided Response - The ability to act under supervision
d. Habit - The ability to perform consistently with competence
e. Complex Overt Response - The ability to perform complicated task under difficult circumstances
20. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT- (2 Pet 1:5-9)
a. Faith - The confident persuasion that God will do what He says and acting on that conviction
b. Goodness - Virtue, excellence, and kindness
c. Knowledge - Acquire Biblical and Theological truth
d. Self-control - The ability to discipline oneself
e. Perseverance - The ability to continue steadfastly
f. Godliness - Reflecting the attributes of God
g. Brotherly Kindness - Being gentle & benevolent
h. Love - An unselfish concern that accepts others and seeks their good
21. MORAL DEVELOPMENT
a. Obedience-Punishment Orientation - This person will do what is right because they know that disobedience will bring about shame, disgrace or punishment. Generally this person does not follow any ethical standard, but is fearful and responsive to intimidations from authority figures.
b. Instrumental Orientation - This person will do what is right since they believe that it will bring benefits to them or their family or friends. Unless there is some reward, this person will not aspire to help anyone but themself. This individual responds best to messages that tell them how to profit or avoid self-destructive actions.
c. Social Orientation - This person lives morally because they know it will bring social approval. They are willing to obey the rules of society because they are afraid of being shamed, disgraced or rejected from their group. This person responds to messages that stress how people ought to show love, compassion and forgiveness to one another. Fellowship is very important to this person since they cherish acceptance and a sense of belonging. People who remain on this level, however, tend to be more concerned about pleasing people than God.
d. Moral Principle Orientation - A person on this level operates with a Biblicall based ethical code. They are responsive to messages that speak of developing godly character qualities. They are led by the word of God and by the Holy Spirit. They are able to make a decision based on the principles of scripture without having to test it first through trial and error experimentation. This person operates more by faith than by feelings, culture or traditions.
22. LEVELS OF MOTIVES FOR LEARNING -
a. Satisfaction Orientation - This person thinks of learning as a means to meet his immediate need. If he cannot get what he wants (advancement, more money, greater status, promotions, prestige, power, etc. ) they are not interested in any more education. Jesus dealt with many people like this who were only interested in following Him because of what they could get from Him.
b. Impressing others orientation - This person is learning because they think it will help them gain greater social acceptance and importance. They are mainly interested in impressing others with their degrees or accomplishments. This person feels a need for recognition in order to keep learning.
c. Competence Orientation - This person wants to be skilled enough so that they can obtain social acceptance. They are interested in a gaining competence in their field and not much more. It is very important for this individual to be considered as normal, average and acceptable by their peers.
d. Management Orientation - This person wants to learn so they can deepen their understanding of God, themself, their family, their associates and their situation. A management orientation allows one have a greater capacity to manage all aspects of life with confidence, skill and effectiveness.
23. LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE MATURITY
a. Knowledge seen as a possession - This individual sees knowledge as something that one possesses to help them get what they want. They are happy to follow ritualistic activities to satisfy their wants. Jesus showed the Pharisees that viewing knowledge as a possession or badge of honor without obeying the truth is self-destructive.
b. General Information - This person thinks that knowledge is required for social roles. They look to authority figures to receive information on essential aspects of life. They tend to doubt that they have the ability to solve their own problems so they rely mainly on experts to teach them what they need to know.
c. Know-How orientation - This person looks at knowledge as something that will help them solve specific problems. They tend to look at the Bible as a problem-solution manual. Most of the time this person accepts information only if it is relevant to helping them solve a particular problem at hand.
d. Insight orientation - This person views knowledge as the key to providing wisdom, understanding and discernment for making the best decisions. They tend to see clearly the inner nature of things as they look deeply behind the surface of people and issues. Most of their decisions are based on principles derived from the insights of scripture. This individual teaches others how to gain greater insight by making sound observations, interpretations, correlations, applications, evaluations and illustrations from the Word of God.
24. LEVELS OF THE USE OF KNOWLEDGE
a. Means to an End - This person sees knowledge as something to acquire as a ticket to the next level or promotion. They tend to view the learning process as a necessary pain that they must endure to obtain employment.
b. For Social Approval - This individual uses knowledge to obtain status, social acceptance and belonging. They strive to live up to others’expectations and standards because they want to be socially approved.
c. Proficiency in Work - This person is willing to learn to successfully accomplish a certain task. They think practically about knowledge. They view knowledge as a tool that is necessary for certain tasks. Many people at this level of maturity are only interested in how-to messages.
d. Becoming orientation - This person is mainly focused on becoming more like Jesus in their character development. They use knowledge to help transform their mind, will, emotions and behavior to be more like the Master in all aspects of life. They are continually interested in not just getting knowledge for information but for transformation of all their intra-personal, inter-personal and spiritual relationships.
25. LEVELS OF EGO DEVELOPMENT
a. Self-protection and opportunistic orientation - This person looks at most situations and people while considering how to use them for their own advantage. They tend to be very self-absorbed and self-centered. Being more focused on their own self-interests, they project a deep sense of insecurity and fear and anger. They are fearful of trying anything that does not come with guarantees because they are led by fear rather than by faith.
b. Conformist orientation - This person is willing to go along with the rules in order to fit in with the group. They are afraid of being different frm others. It was this kind of a person that Paul wrote, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom. 12:2)
c. Conscientious orientation - This person strives to be sincere in everything they do. However, this individual often wrongly equates sincerity with being right. It is difficult for this person to see that one can also be sincerely wrong since they have not grown in their spiritual and biblical discernment.
d. Autonomous orientation - This person is able to decide God’s will for themself since they consistently obey the scripture and trust the Spirit to lead. By not being dependnet on others, they are able to lead as Christ leads them. They have learned to be reliant on Christ’s sufficient that makes them able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that they ask or think according to the power that works mightily within them. (Eph. 3:20)
26. LEVELS OF REALIZATION WHERE KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM
a. From External Authorities - This person relies on authority figures to tell them what is right. They depend on someone to tell them what to do in most situations. They would prefer to ask others for help, assistance or guidance than make their own decisions or feel responsible for their own actions. It is very difficult for this individual to believe they can find solutions to their own problems.
b. From Others - This person depends on friends, family and their leaders to tell them what to do. They are not comfortable until the see many others finding success with available information. By relying on others for their main source of information, they fail to realize that they could do much better by going directly to the source of truth.
c. Personal Integration - This person gets his information by personally processing what they have read, heard, studied and observed. They have learned how to analyze, synthesize and evaluate information for its own merit without having to ask others opinions. Most their insights are garnered by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each piece of information objectively without allowing subjective feelings to distort their perception.
d. Personal Reflection on God’s Truth - This person knows how to mediate on truth and distill key principles that transcend situations and time. They are able to seriously contemplate the meanings, implications and applications of information. They reflect on how truth applies to them in light of experiences. They evaluate situations, conversations and observations with an integrative discernment that is guided by the Holy Spirit.
27. LEVELS OF THE LEARNING PROCESS
a. Imitation - This person relies on othes to show them how to do things. They suffer from an inability to get things done unless they are able to imitate others. They tend to be gullible followers most of their lives. They tend to not learn something very well until another persona has given them information verbally, visually or in through a demonstration. This level of child-like learning greatly limits one from growing in Christ.
b. Lead me by the Hand Orientation - This person prefers to be led by the hand through all stages of learning. They tend to lack the confidence to learn soemthing without superivision as they fear making mistakes.
c. Discovery Orientation - This person learns through a disciplined exercise of self-discovery. They acquire new information through analysis of ideas. This individual is not afraid to learn through experimentation.
d. Organizer of One’s Philosophy and Theology - This person has developed a sound biblically based philosophy of ministry, family and personal discipline. They are able to articulate their belief in truth that demonstrates a clear understanding of their identity, role and purpose.
28. LEVELS OF INSTITUTIONAL MATURITY
a. Arouse Attention and Interest - This institution seeks to keep its members interested enough so they will keep attending their functions. A school on this level keeps students attentive enough so that they are able to learn the minimum amounts of information to stay with the task. A church that stays on this level for any length of time tends to decline because of its lack of qualitative or quantitative growth.
b. Provide Information and Training - This institution seeks to give its members the basic teaching and training necessary for membership. For exapmle a church on this level will provide new member classes that will help people know the basics of saving faith in Christ, baptism and opportunities available for ministry. Churches that stagnate at this level tend to frustrate many of the spiritually maturing believers who are eager to grow in all aspects in Christ.
c. Provide Skills and Opportunities for Practice - This organization gives people opportunities to be involved with teaching, serving or interaction with various age group programs. Leaders need to be creative enough to design programs that will suit the needs of various levels of maturities represented in the organization.
d. Ask Questions and Facilitate the Findign of Answers - This organization poses questions and helps its peopel find solutions to their problems. A growing church, for example, helps people see significant discontinuities between the ideals of scripture and the realities in their organizations and communities. Good leaders are able to tactfully help their people find ways to close the gaps between institutional ideals and the realities in their domain.
29. LEVELS OF TEACHING
a. Lecture and Exams - This kind of leader believes that people need to be lectured to if they are going to learn anything. They believes that students’ knowledge should be formally tested to monitor results. Sadly, this teacher makes little room for the differnces of individualized learning needs, styles or interests.
b. Teacher-Led Dialogue - This teacher insists on leading the discussion so students are directed to learn what is essential. They acknowledges the fact that learning is improved when communication includes consistent feedback between the teacher and the pupil. By using a wide variety of discussions, this teacher helps to catalyze learning through question and answers teaching or problem and solution approaches.
c. Learner-centered Discussions - This person teaches with the needs of their students in mind. They considers the needs, learning styles and context in planning their teaching approach.
d. Programmed Learning - This teacher offers students a whole range of programmed curricula materials that allow for individuals to learn at their own pace. Teachers at this level are simultaneously involved with helping students at numerous levels.
e. Contract learning - This teacher is able to set up independent study contracts designed by each student to maximize the quality and quantity of individuals’ education. An entire curriculum is set up for the imperatives, needs, aims, methods, materials, activities, programs, schedules, organization, administration, and evaluation of the student. This contract level allows teachers and students to groom the curriculum to each student’s interests, gifts, goals, learning styles, needs, background and vision.
30. LEVELS OF PASTOR-MEMBER RELATIONSHIPS
a. Pastor as an Authority - This Pastor sees his role as the ruler of the flock. He sees the sheep as vulnerable without a strong shepherd. This Pastor or leader sees the sheep as receivers who should obey all most of what the Pastor tells them to do. It is very difficult for a Pastor at this low level of maturity to carry out the nurturing, caring and discipling role of his members.
b. Pastor as the Model - This Pastor sees himself as the pacesetter for leading the church by his example. He tries to identify with his members but insists on maintaining a certain distance to maintain respect. He preaches and lives by the motto, "Do as I say as well as what I do."
c. Pastor as the Parnter - This Pastor realizes that he is a just a co-laborer with his members. He equips the saints for the work of the ministry by doing evangelism, counseling and visitation together with his key members. Prayer groups are formed within this church so that lay leaders can learn how to carry out the role of a sub-shepherd. This Pastor does not exhibit jealous behavior in limiting the development of lay leaders in the church.
d. Pastor as a Resource Agent - This Pastor has brought his members to the point where they are initiating ministries of their own. Members of this organization feel free to come to their Pastor for advice, counsel and assistance in acquiring resource materials. This Pastor encourages his members to form Bible study and prayer groups for mutual edification at all age levels of the church. This Pastor sees himself as a servant, facilitator and contributor to the success of others.
31. LEVELS OF EVALUATION
a. By the Leader Only - This leader wants the final and main say over the ultimate evaluatin of the success of his preaching, teaching and ministry.
b. By the Leader and His Associates - This leader runs the church with the plurality of godly leaders. He shares his or her assessment of the successes of their preaching, teaching and counseling ministries with other qualified leaders in the church.
c. By the Leader, Associates and Members - This leader recognizes the importance of sharing the evaluation of his preaching, teaching, and leading ministries with all the members of the church. He learns to separate unfounded criticism from biblically based admonishment.
d. By the Leader, Elders, Associates, Members, God and His word and Spirit - This leader recognizes that God and the scripture are the ultimate judge of one’s success. He appreciates the input of all the members of the church. He has learned to filter criticism and human judgment through the pages of the Bible and the guidance of godly counselors and the Holy Spirit.
Concluding Illustrations:
History is the record of an encounter between character and circumstance.
Donald Creighton, Towards the Discovery of Canada.
Ingratitude denotes spiritual immaturity. Infants do not always appreciate what parents do for them. They have short memories. Their concern is not what you did for me yesterday, but what are you doing for me today. The past is meaningless and so is the future. They live for the present. Those who are mature are deeply appreciative of those who labored in the past. They recognize those who labor during the present and provide for those who will be laboring in the future.
Homemade, December, 1984.
