Spiritual Maturity

P202 Spiritual Maturity Galatians 5:22-23 “Fruit always matures and ripens slowly” P217 It takes years to reach adulthood, a full season for fruit to ripen. Spiritual maturity, reaching our potential, is not going to happen over night. Give yourself and others time.

Conflict and Resolution

Conflict pp153-59 Are relationships always worth restoring? Is there a point when the emotional or mental well-being is more important than the relationship? I agree conflict resolution is not taught well. It should also be taught when to avoid conflict or when to create it. Actually, how to “fight” is not taught well either. P162 “Conflict is usually a sign that the focus has shifted to less important issues, things the Bible calls 'disputable matters'.” Actually, in my experience the conflict arises when believers consider disputable matters fundamental.

Church Home/Church Family (pp133-37)

I think it is important to have a church home/family for spiritual support—receiving and giving. When there is a tragedy in a family, Christians need their church family to help support their physical family. We need one another to lift one another up and grow. I disagree, though, that every Christian must serve within the church and might have a ministry beyond that. If God has called a believer to ministry outside the church, then they should be able to find rest, refuge and refilling within the church.