Spiritual Babies in the Church

One of the most glaring realities in many churches in the lack of spiritual maturity among many long-time members. There are many Christians who have been Christians for many years, yet they are still spiritual infants. They have never grown up in the faith. This is a real problem in the church. I would even venture to say that spiritual immaturity is one of the primary reasons why many churches are dying and so many churches remain in a cycle of conflict: no one wants to grow up spiritually. This is a great danger to the church and the mission of the church. Lest some think I'm being too harsh: all members, including spiritual babies, are in need of shepherding. However, the refusal of some to grow up spiritually when all the resources are available to them can cause harm to the church body and can be a detriment to the mission. Some might say, "they" are part of the mission. To that, I agree. However, the constant clamoring of the spiritual babies can be draining on the church and can keep a church from actually advancing the kingdom of God.

Infants are always thinking about themselves, always clamoring for attention, always making sure their needs are met without any consideration for others. Spiritual infants, those who should not be spiritual infants, can be the same way. They refuse to take responsibility for their spiritual growth. They expect pastors to spoon feed them all the time and to respond to their every whine and whimper. They expect other church members to "serve" them constantly. And, let's be clear, spiritual immaturity doesn't have as much to do with chronological age as sometimes people often think. And, it seems to me, at least through observation and experience (no stats to back this up), the ones who are whining and complaining the most are the least spiritually mature and least spiritually attuned to what the Lord is doing.

To be sure, sometimes within a church's culture, there is no expectation of the members to grow up spiritually. This is certainly true of many churches. Many churches have determined by their practice that being a "good church member" is serving on committees, giving money to the organization (not necessarily the same as the mission by the way), and making our voice heard when we don't like something. We have inadvertently (hopefully, it was inadvertently) told people that "growing up spiritually" is not necessary.

Well, it is necessary. In fact, it is so important and necessary that the writer of Hebrews warns about the danger of not progressing in the faith in Hebrews 5:11-6:2. He also, in this passage, exhorts his audience to progress in maturity, not to stay spiritual babies. Jesus has so much for his children. Remaining a spiritual baby keeps people from attaining to and accomplishing all that Jesus has for them to accomplish. Let us move on to spiritual maturity. Let us not let people remain spiritual babies.

To some, this may not sound very "loving". However, is it very loving to let your 15 year old child drink out of sippy cup or continue to feed him with a baby spoon?