Christmas is often wrapped in lights, to-do lists, and good intentions. But when we really slow down and listen, we may hear something deeper: God calling us into maturity. That does not always mean knowing all the answers. Sometimes, it just means showing up with love and patience, even when it is hard. That is what Week 3 of the Mature Church series, shared by Richie Brown, was all about.
At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we have been reflecting on how growth looks during this season, not just personal growth, but the kind of growth that happens when we come together as a church. That kind of maturity is not always loud or flashy. Sometimes it is quiet. Sometimes it looks like listening. This week’s message gave us a good place to start, with simple truths that tug at the heart and make us pause during all the holiday rush.
What Does It Mean to Be a Mature Church?
Being a mature church has nothing to do with how old a building is or how long a group has met together. It is more about how we love people and stay close to what God asks of us. Mature churches give without needing credit. They listen. They show up when times are tough, even if they do not have the perfect words.
During the holidays, this kind of steady love stands out. When stress or sadness sneak in, a mature church does not just offer holiday cheer. It meets people where they are, offering calm and care rooted in something stronger than the season.
- A mature church serves not only when it is convenient, but when it is needed
- It pays extra attention to the lonely, overlooked, and overwhelmed
- It stays full of grace, not just full of plans
These are not things to think about only in December. They matter all year long. But it is in seasons like this, when emotions can run high, that real maturity shows.
Learning From Week 3 with Richie Brown
During Week 3, Richie Brown brought a message that helped all of us pause and think. He did not overcomplicate it. What he shared made sense to church newcomers and longtime members alike. Sometimes the best kind of teaching is the simplest kind, the kind that makes you nod and say, “Yeah, that is true for me.”
One of the main points he shared was that maturity in faith is not about being perfect. It is about being planted, staying steady when life shakes a little. It is about choosing to follow Jesus when we do not feel like it. And it grows strongest when we do those little unseen things: apologizing, forgiving, and being kind when no one else is.
When Richie talked about what it means to be a church that reflects Jesus, it was not about being busy. It was about being honest. That honesty is what draws people in.
Faith That Shows Up in Real Life
The holidays can bring joy, but they can also bring stress: long lines, tight schedules, and family memories, some warm, some not so much. That is where real faith gets tested. Do we keep our cool in traffic? Do we speak kindly when we are tired? These small choices have a big impact.
Mature faith does not wait for perfect conditions. It shows up in things like:
- Helping someone with bags in the parking lot
- Offering a seat or smile instead of rushing past
- Slowing down enough to mean it when we ask, “How are you?”
It is not always easy. And we do not always get it right. But as we stay open to God, we start noticing more chances to love like Jesus did. That is how maturity starts growing. And Christmas is full of those chances.
How We Grow Together as a Church Family
No one matures alone. We grow best when we grow with others. That is why being part of a church family matters. Whether it is through Sunday messages, midweek gatherings, or just checking in with each other, those shared moments shape us.
At Amarillo Fellowship Church, weekly Sunday worship experiences are offered at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., supporting all ages and backgrounds. The church also provides kids ministries for Pre-K through fifth grade, allowing families to grow together during the service. Growth as a church does not happen fast; it builds little by little, in conversations that go deeper than small talk, in prayer shared between friends, in learning to carry one another’s burdens without expecting payback.
This season, we are reminded of how important it is to show up not just for events, but for each other. Spiritual growth often looks like patience, honesty, and care, things that bloom best when we stop trying to do it all alone.
Grow in Faith This Christmas
Being a mature church is not about being impressive. According to Richie Brown’s message in Week 3, it is about being faithful, one decision at a time, one conversation at a time. It is about reflecting Jesus, especially when it is inconvenient, quiet, or costs something.
This Christmas, we can each ask ourselves where we are growing. Are we more loving than we were last December? Are we more willing to serve, to forgive, to slow down and listen? When we ask those questions together and support each other through the answers, our church becomes a place of deeper peace and stronger care.
Keep Growing This Season
Amarillo Fellowship Church is full of people learning and growing together all the time, not because we have it all figured out, but because we keep saying yes to God in small ways. In addition to Sunday services, ministries for youth and special groups are available to help individuals connect and grow no matter their life stage. That is what makes maturity something worth seeking during this season.
Thinking about growing in faith or looking for something steady and meaningful this season? We would love to walk alongside you. Being part of a church that cares and grows together makes a difference, especially during the busiest times of year. At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we believe small steps of love and truth shape something stronger. To find out more about what it means to be part of the Amarillo Fellowship Church, you can reach out to us today.