Are evangelistic churches shallow?

What about the claim that outreach oriented churches are shallow spiritually?  

When people use "shallow" to describe churches I typically pick up a judgmental attitude behind the claim.  The better word would be "maturing" or if it fits, "immature."  In John chapter 4, the woman at the well would be categorized as spiritually immature.  She was enthusiastic about Christ, but she had a lot of spiritual and emotional baggage.  If a church has some people like her then they are fulfilling their mission, and at the same time they will have some messy issues they'll need to work through.  

The reality is that churches who reach out find themselves incorporating new (immature) believers into their church and that affects the church in a similar way that introducing a bunch of babies and children into your home would change your family dynamics.  If a family chose to have 10 young children at the same time you could call them an "immature" bunch, and you'd be right...but what's the point of such a label?  

Rather than judgmental labeling, more mature believers must sense the urgency of entering into the life of these young believers and helping create a culture of loving correction.  For this to happen it takes a commitment of loving and patient life-on-life investment similar to that of a mentor of at-risk youth or a foster parent.  Pauls says (Gal 6:1, 2) -  

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

The word "restore" is the same Greek word as was used when Jesus finds Peter "mending" his net.  This is a careful, thoughtful, redemptive process to be undertaken by everyone in the church who is considered "spiritual."  

Chapter 1 - Introduces the Spirit's Work

The Cure - What if God isn't who you think he is and neither are you
by John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, Bill Thrall

In Chapter One of this  book we're introduced to the truth that believers are New Creations and have the Holy Spirit indwelling us.  So, religious systems meant to create behavioral conformity not only are unnecessary, they're even harmful.

Religious leaders can mistakenly operate with the assumption that "people are immature, lazy and....They'll abuse as soon as they can.  They'll live Christianity-lite.  These people are weak and want to do whatever they want (p19.)"

However, as I talk with people who have genuinely put their trust in Christ (not those who were coerced into a spiritual commitment,) I see people who want to walk with Christ and to know Him and experience the blessings of intimacy with Him.  These are people who also have the Holy Spirit in them, so my assumption needs to be that God is at work in them.

Phil. 1:3-6 says,

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

I'm impressed with the confidence that Paul is expressing in the Philippian believers which is obviously tied to his confidence in God.  He knows that God has the power and He has the desire to work from the inside out in the lives of his children.  So we realize that God uses us, but He doesn't need us to bring about spiritual development in others...what a relief! 

"Dear God, help me to trust that your Spirit in me and in others is sufficient to do the work of sanctification."

Philosophy of small group discipleship

Small groups are the key to disciple development within the local church.  There are three primary means of spiritual growth in the life of a Christian and all three will effectively happen through a healthy, well-led, and purposeful small group.

1.   Spiritual growth happens through Christian community.  The Bible describes numerous “one anothers” that require active and mutual service among Christians living in community.  Proverbs (27:17) describes this as “iron sharpening iron.”  Small groups are a place where this sharpening happens.

2.   Spiritual growth happens through circumstances.  James chapter one tells us that trials are to be expected and embraced for the purpose of spiritual growth.  We will never attain maturity without trials and we will never attain maturity if we give up hope and faith in the middle of a trial.  Small groups provide the support that people need to endure through their trial with faith and hope intact.

3.   Spiritual growth happens through the study and application of God’s Word.  This is the sign of wisdom and maturity described in many places in the Bible.  Without knowing the Scriptures we can’t obey, but knowledge without obedience leads to pride.  The small group can be an effective place for learning God’s Word and a place where accountability leads to application and spiritual growth.

In some groups, one or two of these elements may be identified as the primary purpose of the group, but all three should be on the mind of the well–trained leader who wants to see spiritual growth in his group.  Regardless of the stated identity of a given small group, a qualified and trained leader can intentionally integrate the three elements of spiritual growth into any group of disciples. 

I tend to classify small groups into one of three categories based on their distinctive issue or purpose that identifies and gathers them…Cause Groups (missional, or ministry teams, or support groups, etc.), Community Groups (neighborhood, age or life-stage specific, sub-culture, etc.), and Content Groups (Bible studies, leadership training, theology classes, etc.)  In each of these groups, the leader looks beyond the stated purpose in order to optimize the teachable moments for his members along the way.