Immaturity in American Evangelical Churches
Has it struck you in recent years that there seems to be a growing trend of spiritual immaturity in churches today? I know that is a rather broad-brush stroke, but I just want to pose this idea for consideration from a few angles.
Immature Beliefs
Consider the various views about God:
- God is the “big man upstairs,” someone who may exist, but is not really involved in our lives.
- God is the cosmic “genie in the bottle,” who, if rubbed the right way, will give us what we want.
- God is the spiritual “Pez dispenser,” who exists to make us happy and give us what we want.
- God is the great “Therapist,” who helps us feel good about ourselves.
I’m sure you could add other ideas here, too. The point is that a robust, biblical view of God is growing scarcer in our churches than it ought to be, which contributes to and produces a theological and spiritual immaturity. If our people do not think properly and believe proper truth of God, they will remain in a state of spiritual infancy.
Consider also the ongoing presence of religious pluralism. For many people, Roman Catholicism and Mormonism (for instance) are simply different forms of orthodox Christianity. They may do some things differently, but they are “Christians” too, right? To put forth that they are not orthodox is almost a stake-worthy error, to some.
We need to grow out of this kind of theological weakness and immaturity, and quickly, if orthodox Christianity is to grow and Christian maturity is to occur.
Immature Behaviors
One’s beliefs determine one’s behaviors; and one’s behaviors reflect and even shape one’s beliefs. Consider the behaviors that are routinely practices within the lives of those who consider themselves to be “born again Christians.” Sexual promiscuity, rationalizing of sinful practices, unhealthy work ethics, glorying in immorality in entertainment, etc.
When a person has a weak view of God and biblical Christianity, they will not have a proper foundation upon which to build a life that honors God. Many Christians see much of any talk about behavioral holiness (1 Peter 1:13-16) as legalism and externalism.
Christianity needs a return to foundational texts such as Romans 12:1-2 to form our thoughts about how our lives need continual transformation by God through his word, so we can be less conformed by the philosophies and behavioral systems of the ungodly world around us.
Behavior matters. James talked about a robust Christianity that worked itself out in active ways to demonstrate the reality of saving faith. Our lifestyle lived in obedience to God and his word give validation to the saving faith that we proclaim to have (James 2:14ff).
Immature Loves
When a person has immature theology and practices an immature lifestyle, it only reveals immature loves.
Our love of self is the dominating idol of many people, even within our churches. Jesus said we must deny ourselves and follow him (Matthew 16:24). People love self-preservation, self-awareness, and self-esteem, and these things are a detriment to their spiritual lives.
Many Christians are driven more by consumerism than they are by service. What can the church offer? What programs or services are there?
When we love creaturely things more than, or rather then, the Creator, we reveal ourselves to be in the kiddie pool of maturity.
This all matters because the more immature the church becomes, the less stable the church becomes. Stability comes through growth. Immature churches will struggle with to make decisions guided by the Spirit of God. Immature Christians will also struggle with spiritual discernment when it comes to the theological and social issues of the day.
The church is called upon by the apostle Paul to be “no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NKJV, emphasis mine)
May God help those in pastoral ministry to promote mature worship to help form Christian maturity in the lives of believers. And may God help all true believers to not be content in spiritual immaturity, but to practice the regular spiritual disciplines to grow deeper in Christian maturity, for the glory of God.
Taigen Joos is the pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Dover, NH.
Brother Joos,
Thank you for the good article. I have said for years in my preaching ministry that today’s 26 year old’s are yesteryears 17 year old’s. So many of our college age young people are suffering from delayed adolescence. They are years behind in maturity and development and their ability to make sound decisions and choices are questionable at best. It is my opinion that the homes, churches, Christian schools, and Christian college’s do very little to improve the situation because of ambivalence. Therefore, appeals are made to their immaturity (likes, dislikes, cultural norms, etc) rather than to their development in character. God has called us all to challenge and to create struggle and engagement for our youth in order to produce the kind of character that moves them to maturity at an earlier age. This must begin in the home and the local church. Until this happens, there is little to be done to improve this sad predicament.
Tod Brainard
Pastor
Grace Bible Church
Milton, Florida
Pastor Brainard, thank you for your thoughtful response. I believe there are multiple reasons for this immaturity taking place, but that it generally stems from a Post-Enlightenment mindset that began in the 1700s, rose more in the 1800s with revivalistic practices focusing more on growing numbers than growing people, and was super-charged in the 1900s through the “Youth Movements” of the 40’s, the Jesus Movement of the 60s and 70s and the Consumer-driven churches of the 80s and 90s. What we are experiencing today are the fruits of those generations, and the perpetuation of emotion-driven, biblically-illiterate, and consumer-minded Christians. You are correct in that you point out that things must begin in the homes. Preachers can preach/teach their hearts out when it comes to the truth of these things, but parents must own the biblical responsibility to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, rather than depend on Christian schools, camps, Junior Church/Sunday School teachers, and VBS to train their children. Immature parents produce more immature children. But parents must view their children as their primary mission field and primary discipleship opportunities.
Again, thanks for the feedback. I don’t know if you are planning to attend the upcoming FBFI national fellowship in Greenville this June, but I have been asked to speak, and plan to speak on the these topics, as well as the topic of worship. I’m sure you would be encouraged and edified by the fellowship and the teaching of all the sessions. And I would be honored to meet you in person.
Taigen Joos
Taigen, looking forward to your message on the topic. Praise the Lord for the opportunity.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3