Exploring stage of Holy Friendship.

You may be searching for real connection and belonging in community.

Committing stage of Holy Friendship.

You may have sensed Jesus calling you his friend. You may want to be a part of a community that can help you follow Jesus.

Growing stage of Holy Friendship.

You may be becoming more deeply known through honest and vulnerable sharing of my life with others. I know others beyond their names. you may sometimes invite others into friendship with your church community.

Maturing stage of Holy Friendship.

You may actively seek close and mutual friendship with people who are different than you: who don’t look, live, vote, or think like you. Your friendships may hold you accountable and help you grow in ways you couldn’t alone. You may invite others to experience the friendship of Jesus with you.

Exploring stage of Story

You may be curious about why people believe in Jesus, what the Bible says, and what purpose the Bible serves.

Committing stage of Story

You may have decided to follow Jesus and am learning about who he is, how he lived, and how to follow his way. You may have a story of God’s transformation or movement in my life, but don’t know how to share it

Growing stage of Story

You may study the Old and New Testaments alone and with others. You may be learning the major themes of scripture and connecting scripture to my everyday life. You may practice sharing my God story with others in worship and in small groups.

Maturing stage of Story

You can see how your story fits into the larger Story of God and you regularly notice the themes of scripture in the world. You may actively share your God stories with others inside and outside of your faith community. You may lead others to read, study, and find their place in God’s Story.

Exploring stage of Worship

You may wonder if there is more meaning to this world beyond what you already see and know. You may attend Sunday worship sporadically or when invited

Committing stage of Worship

You may have committed to regularly gathering with other followers of Jesus to worship as the body of Christ. You may attend Sunday worship to be encouraged by the sermon, prayers, fellowship, and music.

Growing stage of Worship

You may attend Sunday worship to praise God, to play your part in the body of Christ, and to hear God speak to you. Worship matters to your daily life and your ability to follow Christ each day. You may experience challenge alongside encouragement through worship

Maturing stage of Worship

You may worship God daily - not just on Sundays - and in good and bad times. You may attend Sunday worship to praise God and to help others do the same. Worship is about your offering to God more than having your needs met. You may invite others to come and see Jesus through worship.

Exploring stage of Ordering Time and Money

You may try to spend your time and money helping people when you can, but you spend most of it on yourself and your family

Committing stage of Ordering Time and Money

You may be generous with your time and money when people ask you to help out, believing that’s what Jesus would do

Growing stage of Ordering Time and Money

You may actively evaluate how you are spending your time and money, and sometimes have to make hard decisions. You begin discerning tithing (giving 10%).

Maturing stage of Ordering Time and Money

Your use of time and resources reflects your worship of God above all else. You may use them to further God’s Kingdom of justice and peace.

Exploring stage of Spiritual Practice

You may wonder if there is a way to feel close to God and you may wonder what prayer does.

Committing stage of Spiritual Practice

You may believe you have experienced God’s presence. You may be trying out various spiritual practices. You may pray for myself and for others, asking God to meet needs as you are aware of them

Growing stage of Spiritual Practice

You can name times that you have experienced the presence of God. You are committing to regular spiritual practices. Your prayers may be more of a conversation with God, and include speaking and listening

Maturing stage of Spiritual Practice

You may ask for and rely on God’s direction on a daily basis. Spiritual practices help you to order your life. You may teach others about spiritual practices to help them notice God’s presence, too. In prayer, you submit your will to God’s will for you and for the world.

Exploring stage of Sent

You may wonder if God has a plan for your life and what it is

Committing stage of Sent

You feel good when your help others and feel like you should start doing more of it as a follower of Jesus. You may volunteer for some service projects now and then. You still may wonder what exactly God wants you to do with you life.

Growing stage of Sent

You are beginning to live your life as a disciple of Jesus in service to others. You begin listening for the needs and hopes of your communities, and begin to view service as a partnership more than as fixing problems.

Maturing stage of Sent

You may ask God daily how you can further God’s Kingdom today, believing that you can participate in God’s mission. You may cross boundaries, wherever the Spirit leads. You may encounter - and have been changed by - Jesus’ presence in others and seek to partner with the Spirit’s work in their lives.

Exploring stage of Call

Putting your identity in people, money, appearance, or achievement doesn’t seem to be cutting it anymore. You may be trying to discover who you actually are.

Committing stage of Call

You may start to hear and believe that you are a child of God and that God loves you. You may have witnessed God’s transformation of others, and want to experience it yourself.

Growing stage of Call

You may be growing in self awareness of your gifts and weaknesses. You may celebrate your gifts, often turn to God for forgiveness and healing, and work for reconciliation in your relationships. You may experience freedom from some things that once trapped you

Maturing stage of Call

You are grounded in your identity as a beloved child of God. You may sense the Spirit empowering your service as it aligns with your gifts and passions. You may be open to God’s healing of your deepest and most hidden wounds, even if it will require courageous work.