Transforming G.R.O.W.T.H.

Healthy spiritual growth carries with it the benefit of being used of God throughout the believer’s lifetime. Churches and individuals that cooperate with God’s design will experience vitality, peace, and a power for living that outlasts themselves and grows the Church into the next generation.

I’d imagine working toward and anticipating healthy spiritual growth is very much like flying a plane. Hoping for perfect textbook conditions in which to land the bird rarely occurs. The covering of this topic will never involve perfect circumstances. A spiritual journey is just that; a journey. Lives are never lived in flawless conditions and the principles of spiritual growth work out differently depending upon the context of application. God has given us His design that, if followed, will produce healthy growth. The need for healthy spiritual growth then becomes dependent upon our ability to draw near to God. Getting close to Jesus and hearing His heart’s cry will transform our eyes to see the way He sees. Letting go of the agendas of this life and stopping long enough to have the Holy Spirit lead us into this adventure brings with it the thrill of working alongside of God Himself.

Dr. Stanley is the retired Senior Pastor of RockFish Church and the founder of International Growth Institute. He holds a PhD in both Christian Counseling Psychology and (a PhD in) Church Growth. He is a Certified Marriage and Family Therapist, a Board-Certified Pastoral Counselor and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors for over twenty years.