Maturity

25 January 2026

By Pastor John Macindoe - Senior Pastor

Sometimes we distinguish between ‘young Christians’ and ‘mature Christians’. ‘Young Christians’ have recently been converted. ‘Mature Christians’ have been walking the Christian road for many years.

We might use the same language for churches. A young church, just planted, will be in need of support and guidance. A mature church – We turn 190 this year. If that’s not mature then I don’t know what is! – can relax and care for its own needs.

As helpful as this distinction might be, it can also be misleading. The ‘mature Christian’ may think that they have made the grade; that they have come to a point in their life where they can rest on our laurels, stop growing and be content with their spiritual life. Such a person reflects spiritual infancy rather than spiritual maturity.

The same is true for churches. David Jackman writes, ‘A mature church is a church that realises how much more maturing has to be done. It has put aside the false concept of young Christians and mature Christians as though there is a point where you have stopped being a young Christian and have now arrived and become a mature Christian. It is in fact a mark of immaturity to think like that. A mature church realises that we are all in God’s kindergarten together and that we all desperately need to be growing in Christ’. Is Central Baptist a mature church by David Jackman’s definition, or simply by virtue of our age?

Paul instructs Timothy, ‘As for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of’ (2 Tim 3:14). We never stop learning. We never stop growing. Rather we press on, straining like a runner in a race to the end. We do not rest, save but in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. In him alone shall we be made perfect.