Opportunities For Growth

This week Norma Jean and I are in Houston, Texas, where we’re attending the Southside Lectures in Pasadena.

As many of you read this post, we will be listening to David Banning and Jordan Shouse speaking on the theme “What Says the Scripture.” Tonight, I will be sharing the pulpit with Russ Bowman. In addition we will enjoy 30 minutes of singing praises each evening led by Tim Stevens.

Thinking about this week reminded me that there are many opportunities for spiritual growth. But in order to grow, we must avail ourselves of those occasions that will accelerate our growth.

As we’ve noted in previous posts, God expects us to grow (2 Pet 3:18). But growth doesn’t occur accidently. It requires intentionality. Growth is a choice. It also involves the pure seed of the Word, and the soil of a good heart. If you’re new to this column, you can look back and read some of the other important factors and aspects involving growth.

However, none of that will make any difference, if we fail to take advantage of the growth opportunities all around us.

For instance, this week at Southside, there will be 16 Bible based lectures. 4 days of fellowship. And 30 minutes dedicated each evening to singing praises. Many people will attend every service. Some people will drive from across the state or fly in to Houston from other states to learn, grow, and be strengthened spiritually.

Through the years, I have either attended, participated in, or been a part of planning events like these that many churches offer to facilitate growth.

• Weekly Bible classes.
• Gospel Meetings
• Special Seminars.
• Men’s Training Classes.
• Youth Weekends.
• Parenting Classes.
• Marriage Enrichment Workshops
• Evidences Lectures.
• Leadership Training.
• Ladies Days.
• Teacher Training.
• Vacation Bible School.
• Podcasts.
• Religious Debates.
• Evangelistic Outreach Meetings.
• Radio Programs.
• TV Programs.
• Video Presentations.
• Printed instructional Materials.
• Web Sites Pages.
• Special Summer Series.
• Small Groups.
• Livestream sermons and/or classes.
• Panel Discussions with Q & A.
• Bible Correspondence Courses.
• Song Leader Training.
• Social Media Devotionals.

Someone reading this may respond, “I attend a small church and we don’t have any of those resources.” While that may be true, with today’s technology you can access much of this offered by other churches. There are a number of churches who have wonderful web sites filled with resources to help you grow. Here are just three that I would recommend.

The Charlestown Road Church in New Albany, Indiana.
The Cornerstone Church in Centerville, Ohio.
The Temple Terrace Church, in Temple Terrace, Florida.

In addition there are classes, seminars, lectures, retreats and growth opportunities offered by individual preachers, colleges, and other organizations that are either free or available at a reasonable fee.

Plus, blogs like ThePreachersWord, as well as blogs by other brethren offer daily or weekly devotionals that can encourage and challenge you. I have some of these blogs as well as additional resources listed on my helpful links page.

When The Preacher of old penned, “the writing of books is endless” (Eccl. 12:12), he had no idea how endless that would prove to be. When you’re looking for books available on any given subject you can always access Amazon. But for books on religious topics, I would suggest talking to a trusted, well-read preacher, or referring to a religious bookstore like OneStone, Spiritbuilding Publishers, or Florida College Bookstore.

While preachers, pastors, and Bible teachers are commanded to equip the saints for ministry in order to edify the church (Eph. 4:11-12), each of us is individually responsible for our own growth. And the point of this post is to encourage you to take advantage of the growth opportunities available.

Finally, remember the old Irish Proverb that has a great spiritual application: “No matter how tall your grandfather was, you have to do your own growing.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman