Being part of a church family means we’re all growing together, day by day. Some of us are new to faith, while others have been here a while, but we’re all learning. We mess up, we ask questions, and we try again. That’s the beauty of growing in a church family: we don’t have to do it alone.
This month, we’re starting something special at Amarillo Fellowship Church. It’s a new series with Richie Brown called “Mature Church.” Week one is all about understanding what it really means to grow strong in faith, together. A mature church isn’t about big buildings or long-standing traditions. It’s about people who care, people who pray, and people who want to follow God even when it’s hard.
Learning What a Mature Church Looks Like
When we hear the word “mature,” we might think it means someone has it all figured out. But in church life, maturity looks a bit different. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about showing up and helping each other grow.
The Bible paints a picture of the early church as a place where people shared their time, their food, their prayers, and their burdens. Nobody had everything together, but they were moving forward, one step at a time. That’s what we aim for too.
Some simple ways a mature church might look in real life include:
- Choosing kindness when someone makes a mistake
- Being patient when things don’t go your way
- Listening more than you talk
- Helping out, not for attention, but because you care
It’s these small choices that build something strong over time.
Growing Together, Not Alone
We were never meant to grow in faith all by ourselves. God made us to live in relationship with Him and with each other. That’s why church matters so much. It’s where we find people who remind us we’re not alone in the hard days.
Being part of a church family means walking with others through all kinds of moments. When someone is hurting, we check in. When someone is celebrating, we cheer loud. Some of the best growth happens in the quiet places, during coffee after service, in a small group during the week, or sitting together in prayer.
We’ve seen how important these things can be:
- Talking about life with people who actually care
- Sharing struggles instead of hiding them
- Learning from those who’ve walked a few more steps ahead
We grow stronger when we grow side by side.
We regularly offer small groups for every age and stage, from students to adults, helping people connect more deeply in their faith journey.
Letting God Shape Us
Spiritual maturity doesn’t pop up overnight. It takes time, and it takes trust. At its core, it’s about letting God lead us and being willing to listen.
We can choose to follow God in all sorts of little ways. At school, it might mean including the kid who’s always left out. At work, it could be staying honest even when it’s hard. At home, it might be praying for someone instead of staying mad.
There are quiet practices that help shape us:
- Reading the Bible, even just a little each day
- Making time for prayer, even when we feel tired
- Singing during worship, even when we don’t feel like it
Over time, these habits help our hearts grow stronger. Not louder or flashier, just steadier and more open to what God is doing.
Facing Challenges with Faith
Even mature churches face challenges. People still get sick, bills still come in, and things don’t always turn out the way we hoped. But the difference is, we don’t fall apart, we turn to God and to one another.
Trusting God during hard times brings a kind of closeness that’s hard to find elsewhere. It pushes us to pray more, lean on each other, and ask questions that build deeper faith instead of shallow answers.
Growth doesn’t always feel like a win. Sometimes it feels like just getting through the day. And that’s okay. When we keep showing up in faith, something good takes root. We may not see it right away, but God works in the unseen moments too.
Your Church, Your Part
Every person matters. No one gets left out of building a mature church. Whether you’re young or old, outgoing or quiet, God has a place for your life and your gifts.
Sometimes we think we need to do something big to make a difference, but that’s not how God sees it. Small things count. Smiling at someone new. Offering to help clean up. Saying “yes” when asked to pray. These tiny acts of love make our church family stronger.
When each of us gives just a little time, a little care, or a little honesty, it adds up to something beautiful.
Steady Steps Forward
Spiritual growth takes time. A mature church isn’t built in a month or even a year. It’s built through steady choices, showing up when it’s easier not to, praying when life feels quiet, serving when no one’s watching. That’s what moves us forward together.
We offer Sunday services at 10:00 AM, with engaging environments for adults, youth, and kids, so families have a place to belong and serve together.
As we keep moving through this series with Richie Brown, we’re remembering what really matters. We grow when we stay connected. We grow when we trust God, even when it’s hard. And we grow when we stay steady, not perfect.
A Place to Belong and Grow
At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we’re growing side by side as one family. We believe God still wants to shape us into something honest, helpful, and real. One small step at a time.
No matter where you are in your faith walk, we believe there’s a place for you to grow with us. Building a mature church takes time, honesty, and people who care enough to show up again and again. That’s what we’re aiming for each week, side by side, as we follow God together. You can always get information or get connected at Amarillo Fellowship Church. We’d love to hear from you anytime.