Reaching a turning point

The mission statement of the church I attend and many others includes some form of bringing people to Christ and building them up in that relationship. The words of different statements may vary but the meaning is the same. So what does that mean? And where do I as a believer fit into that mission?

I realized that for the past couple of years, I have been very dependent on others for bringing and building me in my faith journey. I didn’t grow up as a Christian, I have had many life experiences that have been difficult to deal with and overcome, and I didn’t really know what being a Christian meant. I was depending and leaning on others to show me, to help me, to “feed” me. I thank God regularly that these people and the church was there to bring me to this point. But now what? What is my responsibility as a Christian who has been built up to this point, and knows there are so many others who are where I once was? Should I continue to rely on the church to build me, should I turn now and bring others, should I be content to be where I am?

A post that caught my attention and started my thoughts on this is Fitting in at church.  This post was triggered by a Relevant Magazine post titled On Using Your Own Fork . At what point do we move from being completely dependent on the church to “do it all” for us to being responsible for more of our own Christian growth? In my faith walk, I feel that I am reaching a turning point. I’ve moved from vaguely knowing God to developing a personal relationship with Jesus to now beginning to reach out to help bring others.

What worked to bring and build me was what I needed at that time, however, it may not be the same for someone else. At this point do I “sacrifice” what I am comfortable with to do whatever it takes to bring and build others, meeting them where they are? I like to be comfortable. I don’t like change. But if I have to step out of my comfort zone to reach others, is it worth it? Do I now become more responsible for my own growth, partnered with the church? Do I begin to “use my own fork” as in the post above?

What about the church? Should it continue as is, or move to reaching more unbelievers? This is one question in What Should We Expect from the Church?  As someone with that vague God feeling and as I was just learning what being a Christian meant, I was (and continue to be) eager to hear and learn. I feel like a sponge that wants to soak up all I can. That is the time to make a difference in someone’s life. Reach the unbeliever when they are searching and when they want more. I’m excited. I don’t ever want to stagnate. I want others to know what I finally now know. If that means that music changes, that worship styles change, that I need to become more responsible for finding the best ways for my own continued growth, that I need to move out of my comfort zone to reach out to others….it’s worth it.