HOW TO ADULT

 DEPENDENCIES

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
First Corinthians 13:11

If COVID has taught us anything, its taught us just how much we need each other and probably (for many of us) how much we didn’t know it! When we’re born we are utterly dependent. As we grow up we increasingly become independent. When we become an adult we learn to get along with others and become interdependent. But adults also experience seasons where it is necessary to be temporarily dependent upon others. These are times when we need the help and care of others. Ironically though, its often the people who are called upon to help and care for others that are the least likely to accept help and care themselves.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

DEPEND > INDEPEND > DEPENDABLE

‘Adulting’ does mean that you have to manage your various dependencies. This means that when you become an adult, there are times when you have to maintain your independence; then, there are other times when you have to cooperate with others in interdependence; and, then there are those seasons when you need the help of others and you must accept your dependency. But adulting also means that you have to be dependable so that you can help others.

¶ Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
First Corinthians 14:20

BECOMING A DEPENDABLE CHURCH

COVID has indeed reminded us how much we need each other. But COVID has also caused us to adapt. For many of us, it has led us to trying to adapt to social isolation, lock-downs, social distancing, working from home, travel restrictions, and repeated hand sanitising. This has resulted in loneliness, psychological stress, and even spiritual dryness. And while we have all individually tried to adapt to these challenges, we, as a church, have also had to learn how to adapt. It has required learning how to be innovative, flexible, and adaptable. And we are still learning. We are prayerfully thinking through how we can connect everyone in our church with a small group of caring people where everyone can share, be cared for, pray for each other, discuss Scripture and its application together. That’s why I’m looking for a team of ordinary and dependable adults who are prepared to be a coordinator for one of our new small groups (of 3 to 5 people). These groups can be via ZOOM or in person — or a combination of both. They could be weekly or fortnightly. Small Group coordinators won’t have to sweat over preparing study material as that will be supplied. If you’re interested in being a SGC (Small Group Coordinator), let me know. This is why it’s important for us to understand the various “dependencies”. Growing from dependent to independent to interdependent is the journey that every Christian is on to Christ-like maturity.     

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Ephesians 4:13

As we continue to navigate how we adapt and respond to COVID, we hope we can figure out how we can evangelise, disciple, train leaders, and speak out against injustice and evil in the public square. Along the way we hope to help those who are depending on us. Along the way we hope to encourage those who are prepared to grow toward maturity. And along the way we hope to work together cooperatively (interdependently) to reach people for Christ and disciple them into disciple-makers. This is why I am dependent upon your prayers.

 

Your pastor,

Andrew