The man said: “We don’t do that around here! I should know; I have been a member of this church for thirty years!”

Me: “How great! That kind of devotion and loyalty mean something. So, does long membership mean you’re thirty years closer to Jesus? Thirty years closer to resembling him and reflecting his character? None of us is perfect, but have you noticed some personal growth?”

Him: “What?”

A challenge to myself: “Mitchell, you’ve been a pastor for over 40 years, have you spent these decades going through the motions, learning stuff but not putting it into practice, basically coasting?”

Reader: what about you? Have you seen personal spiritual growth in yourself? What would be the signs?

Let’s start with something basic, like how are you at “doing justice, embracing faithful love, and walking humbly with your God” [Micah 6:6-8]? Over the last, say, 15 years, have you gotten better at all of that?

Sometimes — especially here in one of the most degreed cities in America — we conflate discipleship & spiritual growth with education. We fill our heads with data and history and theology and then we think we’re done. But doesn’t discipleship mean more than just what goes into the head? Doesn’t it have to do also with one’s heart, soul, will, and even body? Check out what Paul — a very educated man — wrote about the learned and the intelligent [1st Corinthians 1:18-25].

So, what are signs you would look for in your own life that would indicate growth? New or developed spiritual habits such as daily Bible study, regular prayer, generous giving, faithful worship? Personal characteristics such as increased patience, further resistance to temptation, listening more than you talk? Increased love — for those you normally wouldn’t have given the time of day?

Make a list as if you were helping someone else rate themselves, then apply it to you. And then start doing something about it. A year from today, will you be grateful you started something now… or will be grateful you put it off?

See you Sunday!