Day Eleven

READ:  Acts 6:1-7

 

Growing pains are appropriately named.  Stretching cells, increasing mass, and or enhancing capacity requires a previous arrangement to give way. Ouch! 

Yet, it’s been said that “all healthy things grow.”

The early Jesus-followers experienced growing pains in their relational cells.  What once was “ideal” community became tainted by complaints.   Personal nearness gave way to an experience of “neglect” when too many people showed up.

The proposed solution yielded compelling results.  

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Have you ever experienced growing pains:

• in your physical body? 
• in your family?  (marriage, childbirth, adoption)
• in your profession?  (technological advances, retirement)

Chestnut Grove has grown 54% in ten years.^*    

How has CG navigated spatial growing pains:

• added worship gatherings
• added buildings
• added parking lots
• added vehicles 
•  all of above

How has CG navigated spiritual growing pains:

• engaging spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting, etc.) 
• challenging her disciples to greater sacrifice, service, mission (etc.) 
•  attending to the wisdom of mature disciples (teachers, servants, etc.) 
•  patiently (if painfully) trusting God 
•  all of above

How has CG navigated relational growing pains:

• expanding staff 
• adding deacons 
• multiplying prayer/study groups 
• enhancing communications 
•  other: 

           

Invitation:

Ask God what additional measures will aid in navigating future growing pains?

*average Sunday worship attendance, 2003-2013