The start of a new year always gives us a reason to pause. The holidays are behind us, school and work are back in full swing, and we’re all trying to settle into new rhythms. In this space, it’s a good time to ask questions that go deeper than our to-do lists, like how are we really growing? Not just as individuals, but as a church family. At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we’ve been walking through the “Mature Church” series, and Week 4 with Richie Brown helped us focus in on something that matters: moving from staying comfortable to living with purpose.
This message helps us see that growing in faith isn’t about formality or routines. It’s about showing up, tuning our hearts to God, and leaning into what He’s already doing with us and around us.
What It Means to Be a “Mature Church”
When we hear the word “mature,” we might think it means old, experienced, or just knowing a lot. But when it comes to church, maturity has way more to do with how we live than how long we’ve been around. A mature church doesn’t aim to look perfect. It learns to love well.
That looks like:
- Choosing kindness over quick judgment
- Helping someone in need without needing attention
- Trusting God even when the outcome is uncertain
A mature church moves toward people, not away from them. It pays attention to who might feel left out and makes space for new faces. It listens more and lectures less. And above all, it keeps showing up, on the good days and the hard ones. That’s the kind of growth God cares about. Not just Bible knowledge, but heart change, step by step.
Moving Beyond Comfort: What Stops Us from Growing
Comfort isn’t a bad thing. But it becomes a problem when it keeps us stuck. So often, we settle into routines that feel safe. Same seats, same patterns, same small prayers. And after a while, our faith can feel flat. That’s what Richie Brown reminded us to look out for.
He talked about how fear, distractions, and busyness can quietly block our growth. We get nervous about trying new things or letting others see us struggle. We stay busy and call it productivity, but inside, we might feel disconnected or dry.
The truth is, we can’t outgrow something we’re not willing to name. Richie didn’t give a list of rules but pointed us toward honest reflection. What’s one small step we can take toward growth this week? Not a leap, just a step. Maybe showing up when we don’t feel like it. Saying yes to a new challenge. Letting someone pray with us. These little moves become pathways for God to work in ways we couldn’t see before.
How to Grow Stronger in Community
God never meant for us to grow in isolation. Church isn’t just a place to sit once a week, it’s a family we are called to be part of. And strong families grow when there’s trust, honesty, and a willingness to care for one another beyond the surface.
That kind of community takes time. But it starts with small choices:
- Telling the truth, even when it’s tough
- Asking for help instead of pretending we have it all together
- Saying “I’ll help” when someone else is in need
One meaningful way we encourage community growth is by offering Connect Groups for different ages and life stages. When we step into those moments, we let God shape us in ways we can’t do on our own. Growth in community means we learn from each other’s stories, hold each other up in prayer, and remind one another that we don’t have to carry everything solo. That’s how trust builds. That’s how we become more than just people in the same room, we become something God can use to bring real hope to the world around us.
Conversation and prayer are the foundation of this kind of spiritual community. When we share our struggles or victories with someone we trust, it often opens the door for encouragement or accountability. That’s one of the best ways to stay on track during seasons when growth feels slow or tough. Every small risk to be real with another person paves the way for a deeper relationship with God and stronger bonds in our church family.
Choosing Purpose Over Routine
A routine can be useful, but we all know how it can slowly become mindless. Wake up, go to work, maybe pray if there’s time, and try to get through the day. Church can fall into that same pattern if we’re not careful. But a mature church chooses purpose over autopilot.
Saying yes to God’s purpose doesn’t always look big or flashy. It often looks quiet. But it’s steady. It’s a heart that says, “God, what are You doing today, and how can I be part of it?”
This kind of focus comes when we make space:
- Space for prayer that’s honest
- Space for worship that’s not rushed
- Space for community that welcomes us as we are
Sunday worship experiences at Amarillo Fellowship Church are designed to promote this purposeful focus by offering relevant messages, heartfelt worship, and practical encouragement each week. When we slow down and ask God to help us trade routine for deeper purpose, we begin to walk with more peace and direction, not just in church but in our everyday choices.
Purpose-driven church life is shaped by intention, not perfection. When we choose to participate wholeheartedly, whether in serving, studying, or simply being present, we invite God to use even the ordinary moments for something bigger. Over time, these small efforts become a lifestyle of purpose that distinguishes a growing, mature church.
The Strength of Growing Together
There’s something steadying about knowing we don’t have to figure everything out alone. We grow stronger when we link arms with others, stay real, and stay close to what God is doing among us. That’s the heart behind this series and Richie Brown’s message.
Being a mature church never means being perfect. It means being present. It means showing up, again and again, even when we’re tired or unsure. It means choosing love over cool indifference, service over comfort, and trust over fear. As we start the year, let’s remind ourselves that growth doesn’t have to be dramatic to be real. God shapes us slowly, piece by piece, and He often does it through the people sitting right next to us.
This season is an invitation to stay curious, stay open, and let God build something strong in us, not just as individuals, but as a whole body. One step at a time. One day at a time. That’s how a church matures, and that’s how we move toward the purpose we were made for, right here together.
There will be moments when growth feels slow or invisible, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Every time we choose connection over withdrawal, hope over cynicism, or truth over convenience, we take another step forward as a church. Strength comes from these shared experiences and the ongoing commitment to keep growing together.
Growing With Purpose and Community
When you start thinking about what it means to grow in purpose, community, and faith together, we’re glad to keep walking alongside you. At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we’re committed to growing as a body that supports one another beyond just Sunday mornings. Choosing growth over comfort isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it when we do it together. You can connect with us or get information about taking your next step with Amarillo Fellowship Church. Reach out today.