A simple church understands that people are at different places in their spiritual journey, that spiritual growth is a process. The church is designed to partner with God to move people through stages of spiritual growth.

Sadly, most churches miss this truth.

They are not simple. They have not designed a simple process for discipleship. They have not structured their church around the process of spiritual transformation.

And they are making little impact. (62)

I have been really enjoying Simple Church by Rainer & Geiger. I passed it by so many times this year in the bookstore. It’s plain white cover would stand straight and all but wave hello at me as I browsed the ministry section. I ultimately succumbed to its siren call and I have not been disappointed.

The above quote is right on the money. Most churches do not focus on discipleship. Most, because it is easier to quantify, focus on church involvement as their “spiritual maturity barometer.” To be honest, mere church involvement can’t tell you everything about a persons spiritual well-being.

As I’ve been thinking about spiritual growth I keep going back to John 15.

“Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.” (John 15:4-8 MESSAGE)

I feel like there a lot to say about spiritual growth in this chapter but these are the verses that jump out at me. The simple- remain in Jesus, mature, bear fruit.

What does this mean for us?

Remain in Jesus: Love God.

Mature: Love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-40)

Bear Fruit: Serve the world

That’s a pretty simple equation right there.

I should finish the book before Christmas and I’ll post a little more of my thoughts then.

So my question to you is…

In what ways have you seen churches focus on spiritual maturity?

What have you seen that is successful in growing disciples?