A new year always brings that sense of starting fresh. It’s when we start thinking about what matters most and how we want to grow. As a church, this is the perfect time to ask if we’re just showing up each week or if we’re becoming something deeper. At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we’ve been talking about maturity this season, not just as individuals but together as a church family.
During Week 6 of our Mature series, Richie Brown offered a message that sparked plenty of thought. He reminded us that staying the same might feel safe, but it’s not what we’re called to do. Growing into a mature church takes intention, honesty, and trust. But the fruit we see when we lean into it together? That’s where real life begins to show.
The Difference Between Growing and Staying Still
It’s easy to think church is only about Sundays: sing a few songs, hear a message, and head back out into the week. That’s part of it, of course. But growing churches don’t stop there.
• A mature church is one that lives out its faith each day.
• Instead of waiting for a “God moment” to happen during service, we invite Him into every part of our lives: our workplaces, schools, homes, and friendships.
• Little habits, like making time for prayer or checking in with someone we haven’t seen in a while, go a long way.
When we get too comfortable, we can miss what God’s trying to do. He’s not only interested in our comfort; He’s working to shape us. Staying still might feel easier, but it can hold the church back from what it’s meant to be. We grow as a body when each of us says yes to moving forward in faith, even when it’s slow or steady.
Learning to Trust and Let Go
Growing in faith doesn’t mean we always have a detailed plan. A big part of being a mature church is learning how to trust God’s timing, even when it looks different from ours.
Letting go is rarely simple. Most of us like to hold onto control, especially when things feel uncertain. But trusting God means opening our hands and saying, “You lead.”
Winter reminds us of this too. Trees don’t push to bloom during this season; they’re rooted, resting, waiting. For us, winter can be a time to pause and let things settle. Trusting God during a quiet time doesn’t mean nothing is happening. It means we believe He’s still working, even when we don’t see it yet.
As Richie Brown said, growth isn’t always loud. Sometimes maturity looks like stillness, like choosing peace over fear or patience over rush. When we trust Him with our church and with each other, we start to see new things grow.
Being Real with One Another
If we want to grow as a church, being honest with each other matters. It’s not always easy. It means showing up with our real questions, our real struggles, and our real stories.
A mature church creates space where people don’t have to hide. That includes making room for hard conversations, ones that involve listening carefully and choosing forgiveness, even when it’s uncomfortable.
These shifts don’t just happen during services. They show up during coffee after a long week or in a midweek text asking how someone’s doing. Real connection is quiet and steady, and it means deciding to be present even when it’s not convenient. Sometimes, it’s choosing a smile or a listening ear when we might have our own worries. It might mean noticing when someone has been missing for a few Sundays and checking in to see how they’re doing.
When someone’s hurting, we don’t need to have perfect answers. Just showing up with love and letting them know they’re not alone goes further than polished words ever could. That’s what maturity looks like; it shows up again and again.
Over time, being open with one another builds trust. It helps people know they matter and belong, no matter where they are in their journey. In a community where people can be real, growth continues to happen in quiet but powerful ways.
Helping Others Grow, Too
The goal isn’t to grow just for the sake of our own comfort. Mature churches think past their own four walls. They look for ways to lift others up and cheer them on in faith.
We do this when we make room for someone new, stop to serve a need, or share what God’s doing in our lives. These moments may seem small, but they matter more than we know.
• Inviting someone to sit with us
• Mentoring a younger believer
• Helping a family in practical ways
Richie Brown’s Week 6 message reminded us that we all play a part. No one has to have a title or platform to encourage somebody else. Maturity isn’t about showing up perfectly; it’s about showing up with love.
Even tiny acts of kindness can help others grow. Whether it’s sharing a lesson you’ve learned, offering a meal, or being a listening friend, these gestures shape the whole church. As we practice encouraging others and notice people’s needs, our faith community gets stronger. Soon, what was once a habit becomes part of how we live out our calling every week.
A Deeper Life, Together
We don’t grow in faith by ourselves. A mature church becomes stronger when every person sees their place in it. Hard seasons will come, and busy days will slow us down, but a deep life of faith is built one choice at a time.
There’s something steady and hopeful about knowing you’re part of a church that’s growing together. It teaches us patience. It gets us through loss. It builds something strong right in the middle of everyday life.
Each Sunday at Amarillo Fellowship Church, services are held at both 9:30 am and 11:15 am, with engaging Kids Ministry programs for infants through fifth grade offered at the same time. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’ve called this place home for years, you’ll find practical teaching and authentic worship designed to help you take your next step in faith.
Let’s think about the part we each play this year. Maybe it’s being more open in a conversation or giving up control in a place where God keeps nudging us to trust. Whatever it is, we don’t do it alone. We do it as part of something lasting. That’s what maturity begins to look like: people who love each other well and aim toward what matters most.
There is value in taking every step, no matter how small, and finding encouragement in witnessing others do the same. Being part of something bigger means your growth matters, not just for you but for the whole family gathered together each week. Every story carries weight, and each effort adds up in the journey of growing deeper together.
Keep Growing Together This Year
No matter where you are in your faith journey, there’s always room to grow together in ways that are real and lasting. We believe maturity happens when we walk side by side through questions, change, and trust. Amarillo Fellowship Church has Connect Groups and community events throughout the week, creating more chances to build relationships and deepen your walk with God outside of Sunday mornings.
Curious about how faith can play a bigger part in your daily life? We’d love for you to see what life looks like at Amarillo Fellowship Church. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about showing up with open hearts. Have a question or want to talk with someone? Just reach out.