Ongoing Growth

Posted in discipleship, mini theologies for missionariesTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HOW TO BE A HUMBLE LIFELONG LEARNER

Your spiritual journey culminates in the call to grow and mature, a goal achieved through a lifelong process of continuous learning and development. Particularly in the demanding and often chaotic environment of pioneer ministry, it’s crucial to avoid stagnation; indeed, a growing missionary is a resilient missionary.

The Lees struggled to teach their first few disciples from a highly honor-shame culture. Their usual method, which focused on American concepts of guilt and individualism, was incomplete. Rather than doubling down on their methods, they humbly paused and asked their new disciples, “What aspects of the Gospel brought you the most honor, and what parts bring the most shame?” By listening to the answers, the Lees transformed their teaching, emphasizing group restoration, the honor found in being adopted as sons and daughters of the King, and the power of corporate forgiveness. Their realization that discipleship is a two-way street—where the student often guides the teacher toward effective contextualization—unlocked true, lasting growth in the emerging community.

BIBLICAL REFLECTION ON GROWTH & MATURITY

Ongoing growth and maturity are biblically founded on divine dependence and a humble “learner’s spirit.” This development is intentionally designed to occur within the sharpening context of the Christian community, ultimately ensuring that our effectiveness and character align with Christ.

God is the Source of Growth. Growing in Christ is not something we can produce. Growth is God-enabled, not human-engineered. We are, no doubt, involved in the process, but God is the provider. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth,” Paul says, “so neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). With God himself farming and cultivating hearts, he turns them into a beautiful and fruitful garden. Psalm 32:8 notes, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you,” showing how teacher and pupil alike grow in working together. Proverbs 2:6 also affirms, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding,” revealing that genuine growth flows from God Himself, not from our own understanding.

The Ultimate Purpose of Growth is to Know and Delight in God (and one another). Growth, in and of itself, is not the goal. The profound joy derived from continuous growth, spiritual practices, or a consistent rhythm of life culminates in “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8; cf. Psalm 37:23-24; 147:11). We not only learn from Christ and defer to Him, but we also learn Christ. He is the object of our learning. Therefore, it is important for us to frequently spend time with Him by walking through the four gospels. This goal is reiterated: “This is eternal life that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Delight in God is fuel to also delight in one another as we grow together (1 Peter 4:9-10; Romans 12:10; John 13:34-35).

Growth is a God-given Mandate, Not an Option. We are called to grow and mature, not merely to maintain our current state. God commands every believer to progress from spiritual infancy to full maturity, which is a journey that demands discipline, patience, and persistent effort. (Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:13)

Growth Never Stops. Growth is ongoing. We never stop growing because God never stops working. We can limit God’s work and therefore limit growth. If you stop growing, then you’re dead. Solomon said, “O Lord, your Word teaches that the wise hear and increase in learning rather than becoming complacent.” (Proverbs 18:15) Growth encompasses all aspects of our being—our beliefs, character, relationships, and actions. It’s a continuous process of refinement, recognizing that we remain imperfect and in need of development until our ultimate glorification (Philippians 3:12-14; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Faith and Growth are Inseparable. God’s Word encourages an integrated approach where faith informs growth and growth deepens faith. Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” highlighting how all arenas of growth reveal God’s wisdom. Both faith and growth lead to life. (Romans 1:17)

Dispelling Myths about Growth:

  • Growth isn’t Automatic; it is most often Slow and Steady. The parables of Jesus show us that the extraordinary results of the kingdom of God come about through ordinary means. In the parable of the sower, the planting of the kingdom through the spreading of God’s Word is no more unusual than the regular cycle of sowing the seed and waiting for it to persevere through various obstacles until it produces fruit. There is nothing flashy about farming, and there is nothing particularly attention-grabbing about the growth of the kingdom. Growth is seen over time rather than in the moment. (Mark 4:1-20)
  • Growth has nothing to do with time. Spiritual growth isn’t about the number of years you’ve been a Christian. Growth is not measured by the calendar. There are people, sadly to say, who have been Christians for a very long time and are still very immature. (Hebrews 5:12-14) 
  • Growth has nothing to do with your standing before God. If you are a spiritual child, if you are a spiritual young man or a spiritual father, wherever you are in the process of development, it does not have any impact on your standing before God in Christ. (Galatians 3:26)
  • Growth is not related to knowledge, per se. Growth is not related to acquiring biblical information or theology. Some people have accumulated loads of information and are tragically immature. Unless that knowledge is applied to conform your life to Christ, it does nothing but fill your mind with facts. And that’s pretty dangerous because the more biblical information you receive and don’t apply, the more deceived you are about your immaturity. If it isn’t life-changing, it becomes spiritually deadening. (James 1:22-25)
  • Growth has nothing to do with activity. Busyness doesn’t equal maturity. There are busy people with all kinds of people surrounding them who are equally busy, but there’s no evidence of maturity, just a lot of inflated activity. Growth is Seen by the Fruit of the Spirit. These fruit demonstrate Christ’s presence in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Jesus Provides a Compelling Model for Ongoing Growth. Throughout his life, we observe the God-Man’s consistent development in wisdom, knowledge, and obedience to God’s will. Even during his “hidden years,” before his public ministry, we can infer a period of learning and development. The scriptures hint at this through his inquisitive nature and his willingness to engage with others in environments conducive to learning, as evidenced by his early interactions and later, his carpenter’s work (Mark 6:3). This consistent pursuit of growth, even for the Son of God, underscores the importance of lifelong learning and development for all believers.

Shifting from Growth to Maturity:

Growth and Maturity are Similar but Different. Although “growth” and “maturity” are frequently interchanged, Scripture presents them as related yet distinct. Growth is the measurable, quantitative journey of spiritual activity, effort, discipline, and the strengthening of spiritual “muscles.” Maturity, in contrast, is the qualitative outcome and benchmark of completion—the full development of those muscles, enabling Christ-like action, sound judgment, and steadfastness against being “tossed back and forth by the waves.”

Maturity’s Aim is Completion. Maturity is not perfection, but completeness—being equipped and aligned with God’s design. The word until in Ephesians 4:13 encourages us to move onward from mediocrity to maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to grow in every season, recognizing that the call to obedience is also a call to maturity. (Philippians 1:6) 

Maturity Grows a Heightened Awareness of One’s Shortcomings, a Sign of Genuine Progress. As you draw closer to God, His perfection illuminates your imperfections. With spiritual development, a Christian’s perception of their own sin deepens and their need for grace increases. (Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 7:15-20; 1 Timothy 1:1:12-17)

Maturity is Demonstrated through a Willingness to Embrace Correction and Accountability. Within a healthy community, we find the secure environment necessary for receiving loving correction and being held accountable, both of which are vital for identifying our personal blind spots. As Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” and Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” These principles highlight the transformative power of mutual support and honest feedback in our journey toward maturity.

Humility Opens the Door to Maturity. The most effective learning posture is one of humility, mirroring Christ’s servant heart. This means that anyone embarking on a mission must see themselves as perpetual students, prioritizing listening over speaking. This approach aligns with biblical wisdom found in Proverbs 9:9, which advises instructing a wise person to make them wiser. Pride is a roadblock to maturity. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to ongoing growth and spiritual maturity. (Proverbs 11:2; 18:15; James 1:19-20)

Biblical Examples of Humble Learners:

  • Apollos: Apollos was “a learned man” and “fervent in spirit,” yet when Priscilla and Aquila (a couple who were tentmakers, not professional theologians) heard him preach, they realized his understanding was incomplete. They “invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Apollos, despite his eloquence, humbly received correction and subsequently became an even more powerful minister. (Acts 18:24-28)
  • Timothy: As a young leader, Paul continually exhorted Timothy to pursue growth, reading, and learning, urging him not to neglect the gifts and calling he received, even while navigating difficult cultural waters. Timothy models the necessity of youth submitting to the wisdom of elders while diligently developing his own capacity. (1 Timothy 4:15)
  • Paul, despite his divine calling, models lifelong learning and growth through vulnerability. He often confesses his spiritual need and never claims to have “arrived.” He learned contentment (Philippians 4:11) and constantly pressed toward the goal. (Philippians 3:12) 
  • Solomon: When God offered Solomon anything he desired, the king didn’t ask for wealth or power, but for the ability to learn and discern. He prayed, “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” God blessed his humble request with unparalleled wisdom. (1 Kings 3:7-12)

Maturity Isn’t Determined by Age, but rather Maturity Happens within Different Life Stages. The Bible illustrates this progression using terms like infants, children, adults, parents, and elders, offering a framework for our development (1 Corinthians 13:11, Hebrews 5:12-14). These stages aren’t normally linear but interwoven. We mature by recognizing gaps in our lives where growth is needed, seeking God’s perspective to guide that growth, and intentionally building relationships with those who model mature spiritual, emotional, and relational maturity (Proverbs 27:17, Hebrews 10:24-25).

Maturity Grows Best in a Community. Maturity is not an individual project; it is intensely relational and designed to occur within the nurturing environment of the Church. Team life is God’s instrument for sharpening one another. Fellowship with local believers is also essential for our maturity. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to “consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another.” Maturity does not happen when we live in isolation from others; maturity emerges when we navigate difficult situations with other people. The Christian community provides encouragement, support, and accountability. Maturity is a corporate effort where members utilize their gifts and earned roles to help the whole body grow toward Christ-likeness. (Ephesians 4:15-16) 

Ongoing growth is essential for spiritual vitality and missional longevity. By maintaining a humble, dependent, and teachable spirit, the pioneer cooperates with the Holy Spirit’s ultimate goal: to conform them into the image of Christ within a healthy community, which is the most beautiful and profound work of all. 

  • What other Scriptures or biblical aspects come to mind when you consider “growth and maturity”? Take a few moments to look up a few of these verses and journal what the Lord highlights for you.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me… I strain toward what is ahead…” — Philippians 3:12-14

WHAT A PIONEER’S GROWTH-CYCLE LOOKS LIKE ON THE FIELD

This life-cycle isn’t peer-reviewed, but this is what has been commonly observed by pioneer workers in the field. The lines of demarcation between each stage are blurred, and in some cases, overlapping. Be curious. See what stage you might be in.

Idealist or Ignorant (Pre-field). The field needs idealists. Often, the idealism of youth or a new belief motivates people to the field in the first place; that’s not bad. In fact, idealism is a fantastic place to start; it’s just not a fantastic place to stay. Idealism is not what’s dangerous; ignorance is. The main difference here is that the ignorant person doesn’t know what it is that they don’t know. And it’s a lot. The idealist knows they don’t know everything, so they’re safer. The idealist is a day-dreamer, aware of the reality around them, while the ignorant are wandering in a fantasy dream world, unaware that their sick child is vomiting in the bathroom down the hall and their wife has been up three times already, exhausted and hating life. Ignorance is dangerous. Idealist Growth Mindset: Protect your ideals, while purposefully listening to the reality of those who’ve gone before you. You’re not the first person God’s called across cultures, and you won’t be the last.

Learner or Survivor (Arrival to Year 2).  Landing in a foreign country will sometimes feel like just trying to survive. That’s ok. If the functional goal for your first term is just to survive your first term, you’re a survivor, not a learner. The survivor’s goal is not to die. A learner knows they don’t know stuff, but they’re eager to find out. They don’t know where to buy bread, but they find someone to ask. They don’t know how to even ask for stuff, but they’re willing to find out. They don’t know who’s who and what’s where and when’s good, but they know how to breathe, be curious, walk about, and learn. Learner Growth Mindset: Learn as much as you can (about language, culture, workers who’ve come before you, the state of the local church before your arrival, etc.) Recognize your need for mentors, and find some (expats and nationals).

Established or Over-worked (Year 2 to Year 7). Getting established in a foreign field is quite an accomplishment. You know the language, and you’re driven to finally start doing the work you’ve been called to do. At this stage, folks start to realize that they can’t do as much as they thought they could. They can easily get overwhelmed by the complexity of the culture, because they can start seeing much more work to be done, and they are able to begin doing it. The established will see a way to involve others, but the overworked will only see themselves as the way to get things done. Established Growth Mindset: See the task for the size that it is, without succumbing to despair or despondency. Disciple and delegate others toward the harvest.

Experienced or Pessimistic (Year 7 to Year Infinity). The experienced are those who have a lot of life and knowledge of the field. They’ve been around the block, and they’ve seen a lot of others come and go. They’ve probably had some initiatives succeed and many more fail. Yet they stayed. And they’re relatively happy and fairly enjoyable to be around. Their words are nuanced and balanced. To the pessimist, however, everything new is bad, and everything old is bad, because everything is bad. These folks are a little harder to be around, unless you are them. Experienced Growth Mindset: Share your wisdom and experience with those who will listen. Look to nurture the idealists, mentor the learners, caution the workaholics, and avoid the pessimists. Be willing to ask questions, even of newer and younger people.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ONGOING GROWTH MINDSET

For every follower of Jesus, ongoing growth and learning are the very essence of discipleship. Our faith calls us toward a continuous, intentional process of sanctification, moving from infancy in salvation toward the full measure of Christ’s character. This relentless pursuit of maturity is vital because if we cease to grow—if we rely on yesterday’s knowledge or past successes—we risk becoming stagnant and ineffective in the vital work of God’s Kingdom.

What an Ongoing Growth Mindset Does:

Sustains Relevance. Committing daily to language acquisition and culture learning is not just for survival phrases. We must not view the endless language learning as a tedious requirement but as an act of love and humility that builds bridges for the gospel and deeper discipleship.

Guards Against Pride. Receiving correction, humbly accepting feedback on cultural blunders, learning about ineffective methods from local partners, or diving deeper into team life is part of God’s chiseling work within our souls.

Fosters Deeper Discipleship. We grow together by always asking why a local believer does something to understand their perspective, rather than imposing our traditional solutions gained from our home fellowships.

Enhances our Witness. Continually studying a people group’s history, religion, and struggles to ensure the gospel is contextualized and powerful. Often, we can dismiss the culture too quickly and bypass wisdom (e.g., family structure, conflict resolution, worship style).

Builds Character and Connection. We see how God uses seasons of suffering, delay, or messiness as a curriculum for spiritual refinement and mutual growth.

Cultivates a Culture of Growth. Think about the last time you received meaningful, constructive criticism about your character, methods, or attitude from a teammate, local partner, or mentor. How did you respond? What was your immediate reaction? What did it reveal about your rootedness in your identity in Christ? Regularly ask teammates and local partners, “What am I missing? How can I do this better?” (Proverbs 15:22).

The importance of ongoing growth lies in the fact that it is the visible proof of the gospel’s power in a pioneer’s and a disciple’s life. When we demonstrate a humble, teachable spirit and an increasing Christ-like character, we offer the most compelling evidence that our faith and community are real and transformative. This ongoing growth reflects the image of Christ and is an impetus to faithfully serve God’s mission until its completion.

PRAYER ACTION 

Consider the Scriptures you cling to above. Consider the sufferings of Jesus. Write a prayer for the kind of growing and maturing person you want to be.

REFLECTIONS ON BUILDING A PRACTICAL MINI-THEOLOGY OF ONGOING GROWTH

Take some time to prayerfully draft your practical mini-theology of “ongoing growth” by responding to these questions:

  • What is a biblical growth mindset? Where are you within the biblical stages of maturity? Who will you connect with to help you level up? What kind of posture do you want to take to grow and mature?

example: God is… We are the kind of people who… It is most like us/me to… We/I will… We/I hold to…

  • If a new laborer or local believer were to study your daily schedule for the next week, would they conclude that you prioritize learning and personal growth, or merely maintenance and activity? Where do you need to intentionally seek growth and maturity?
  • Where in your ministry, personal life, or local culture are you currently tempted to think, “I already know this,” and how might that mindset be blocking a new learning God wants to teach you?
  • How do growth and maturity relate to innovation and flexibility? What is pioneering if not growing?
  • Once you finish, share your responses with your mentor. Ask for feedback. Adjust your draft as needed.
  • Complete a one-page practical mini-theology.

RESOURCES FOR GOING DEEPER:

Leave a comment