Course is worth joining

One visit highlights success in so many dimensions

Did you hear about the G.R.O.W.T.H. in Christ series currently being held every Thursday at two timeslots: 10am–12 noon and 7.30–9.15 pm?

It was advertised as "a 6 week course to explore the practical implications of living and growing as Christian people in your daily life."

Well, I attended for the first time in week 2. I did not know quite what to expect; but I was not surprised to find it inspiring, helpful, insightful and a good learning experience.

Inspiring

I was inspired to hear some of the faith practices which two people shared. One involved using the time they walk to work to read a bible passage and then reflect and meditate on it. You will be pleased to hear that the reading occurs while the person is walking across an oval! The other involved sup­porting the spiritual and financial needs of a friend — something, we were reminded, that the early Christian church tended to do regularly out of Christian love (they did not need a legislated social security system).

Helpful

Pastor Greg gave us a diagram and coloured pens to show graphically our close Christian relationships and then colour-code them into:

• Companion­ship
• Service
• Spiritual Support
• Spiritual Learning
• Spiritual Accountability.

Personally, the one which featured least for me was Spiritual Accountability. I have challenged myself to find some­one outside my immediate family to take on this role in a more intentional manner.

Insightful

One insight was that our Christian relationships do not have to be close friendships. Because of the human nature of our brothers and sisters in Christ, it is OK to acknowledge that we won't want to form close friend­ships with everyone. For example, a Spiritual Mentor does not have to be a close friend but still can be extremely helpful. I have a business mentor, and one reason our relationship is effective is that, although he is not a close friend, he is able to confront issues which need my attention. I can see parallels with a Christian Mentor. However, a Christian Mentor relation­ship goes even further as we acknow­ledge that both parties are forgiven sinners.

GROWTH in CHrist

Good learning experience

We also discussed how to respond to the comment "You don't have to go to church every Sunday to be a Christian". Whilst technically this is true, it misses the point about the privilege, the blessing, the benefits, the opportunity, and the obedience in regular worship. One point was made that a faith without regular wor­ship is not just a matter of missing out, but something that actually "diminishes" us.

I commend this series to everyone. Yes, you can join in for one or a number of Thursdays through to November 20.

I pray for God's blessing on these sessions.

by Tim Steinborner